TerraMaster F2-223 Review: A Solid 2.5GbE NAS Server

When it comes to NAS servers, I’ve always recommended Synology. But once in a while, it’s worth checking out other brands. So here goes: The TerraMaster F2-223.

This new server is TerraMaster’s major release in its entry-level 2-bay lineup, now with native support for Multi-Gig and the latest TerraMaster Operating System (TOS) version 5.

It has much to offer over the previous releases and proved much faster than the Synology DS220+ counterpart in my testing. But it’s far from perfect.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re looking for an affordable Multi-Gig-ready server with a fast raw performance at the current street price of $299.99 (disk-less), the F2-223 will make an excellent first NAS device for those wanting to dabble into the world of serious network storage.

If you want deep functionality and a more refined experience, I’d still recommend the similarly-priced but Gigabit-only DS220+ or a higher-end Synology server.

TerraMaster F2-223: A major hardware upgrade in a familiar design

As mentioned above, the F2-223 is the latest in TerraMaster’s 2-day product line. It natively runs TerraMaster Operating System (TOS) version 5 and is the first with two Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps ports. Previous models, the F2-221, F2-220, and original F2-210, all use Gigabit.

So hardware-wise, the TerraMaster F2-223 is significant. The Synology DS220+ and most Synology servers have Gigabit by default, and only some allow for Ethernet upgrade.

A tad bulky, now with the tool-less drive bay design

The TerraMaster F2-223 NAS server shares the same hardware design as previous models. It looks identical to the F2-210, as shown in the photos above.

As such, it’s a bit bulky for a dual-bay server — much larger than two standard 3.5-inch hard drives put together — with a protruding back to hold the ventilation fan.

Besides the Multi-Gig ports, the F2-223 also has two USB 3.0 ports to host extra storage and an HDMI port for direct media streaming — it’s more of a gimmick (often found in QNAP servers) than a helpful feature.

Unlike the F2-210, which requires a screwdriver for hard drive installation, the F2-223 comes with drive trays with latches that allow for toolless hard drive (HDD) installation and removal. You only need to use a screwdriver when installing 2.5-inch (laptop) HDDs or solid-state drives (SSDs).

Once you’ve assembled a drive onto its tray, push the tray into the server, and it will stay put. Note, though, that each tray has no security lock against accidental out-pulling — don’t leave your server within your minor children’s reach.

Installing the drives is the only hard work in getting the new server up and running. After that, plug the server into the network, power it on, and you’re almost ready.

The simple software setup process

To make the server work, you’d first need to install the operating system, TOS 5, which is a simple process.

First, download and install the TNAS PC software — there are Windows, macOS, and Linux versions — on a computer and run it.

After a few seconds, the software will find the server in the network, as shown in the screenshots above. Now you can use its IP address on a browser or click on the software’s login button, to launch the web-based setup wizard.

The wizard will work through a few self-explanatory steps to install the OS — directly from TerraMaster’s server or via a local file — and everything else, including picking the RAID configurations, file format (BTRFS or EXT4), and the first user account.

Depending on your Internet speed, the process will take between five to 30 minutes. And then, you can log in to the server’s web interface — via the same IP address — to further customize it.

TerraMaster F2-223: Hardware specifications

CPU	Intel Celeron N4505 64-bit Quad Core 2.0 GHz (Max burst up to 2.9 GHz)
Hardware encryption engine	Yes
Memory	4GB  (Upgradeable to 32GB via two slots)
Compatible drive type	2 x 3.5″ or 2.5” SATA HDDs/SSDs  (drives not included)
Hot-swappable drive	Yes
External port	2 x USB 3.0 ports
Size (HxWxD)	8.93 x 4.68 x 5.23 in  (227 x 119 x 133 mm)
Weight	5.2 lbs (2.4 kg)
Network Ports	2 x 2.5GbE (Multi-Gig)
Wake on LAN/WAN	Yes
Scheduled power on/off	Yes
File Protocols	SAMBA/AFP/NFS/FTP/WebDAV
AC Input	100V to 240V AC
Power Consumption (per 24 hours)	≈ 490 Wh (as tested with two hard drives)
Maximum storage capacity	40TB (2 x 20TB drives)
Maximum local user accounts	2048
Maximum share folders	512
Supported RAID type	Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, TRAID
Suggested retail price (disk-less)	$300
Warranty	2 years

Robust web interface, TRAID, and LDAP support

Unlike the clunky TOS 4.x, TerraMaster’s TOS 5 is robust, similar to Synology DSM, and has a web-based user interface resembling a native operating system.

You can run multiple apps simultaneously and use the Control Panel to configure the router. Most importantly, there’s the app store, called App Center, that allows for installing more apps on the server.

But first, it’s worth noting that TOS 5 now has a flexible RAID setup called TRAID, which shares the same idea as Synology’s Hybrid RAID (SHR). TRAID allows for mixing drives of different capacities, easy storage scale-up, and automatic RAID function.

In the case of the F2-223, since there are only two drive bays, TRAID is similar to RAID 1. To take full advantage of TRAID, you need to use a server with four or more drive bays.

In any case, the support for TRAID shortens the gap that TerraMaster trails behind Synology considerably in terms of storage management.

Another noteworthy feature is TOS 5 now supports domain/LDAP integration, allowing the server to work as part of a business environment with a domain controller. This feature is a must-have if TerraMaster wants to break into the business environment.

TerraMaster F2-223: Detal photos

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Few useful apps

Apps are where a server shows its power, and it’s the area TOS is still much behind DSM.

First, it’s the quantity. There are only 55 apps (44 if you take out the Betas); among those, only a few are useful. The rest are largely irrelevant to general users, and there are no real apps for business users.

That said, I found the following apps significantly compared to the previous version of TOS.

• Snapshot: Similar to Snapshot and Replication of Synology, TerraMaster’s Snapshot — available only when you use the BTRFS file system — enables the keeping of versions in shared folders to fight against accidental deletions or alterations. It also supports a replication feature to keep a copy of a shared folder in real time.
• Transmission: An app for download, similar to the Download Station of Synology. This app is now much better and allows users to search and download stuff from the Internet easily. It will work on a separate tab, not as a window within the server’s main UI.
• Multimedia Server: A server app for streaming content hosted on the F2-223, similar to the Media Station of Synology. TerraMaster doesn’t have playback apps on the front end, but Multimedia Sever supports standard streaming protocols — you can use third-party streamers with it. On top of that, the server also has a beta version of Plex and Emby — two popular streaming platforms.
• TerraSync: including Server and Client apps, TerraSync is a copy of Synology Drive that allows syncing and baking data of multiple clients.

I tried these apps out briefly, and they worked as intended. However, none has the same level of in-depth customization for functionality as the Synology counterparts.

On top of that, some apps are impossible to use. The VirtualBox app, supposedly a virtual machine manager, didn’t work at all.

Hopefully, things will change via future versions. For now, TOS 5 works great for first-time users. If you have used a Synology sever before, you’ll find it sorely lacking. I did.

But, also for first-time users, what the TerraMaster F2-223 lacks in the app front, it more than makes up for in performance.

TerraMaster F2-223: Fast performance

I used the TerraMaster F2-223 for over a week, and the server worked well at all times with no hiccups. And its performance was excellent.

For throughput performance, I tested it with two 8TB hard drives and two 500GB SSDs, in RAID 1 and RAID 0. (It’s important to note that you should use the server in RAID 1 or TRAID since RAID 0 offers no data protection.)

Thanks to the 2.5Gbe ports, the TerraMaster F2-223 excelled in my testing. It generally maxed out the speed of the test wired connection, be it 2.5Gbps or Gigabit, as shown in the charts above.

On top of that, the server remained cool and quiet, even when it used hard drives on the inside — unlike the case of the F2-210, the F2-223’s metal chassis didn’t work as an echo chamber that amplified the sound made by the hard drives.

On top of that, the server’s fan, which worked most of the time, didn’t produce more than a low humming sound.

Conclusion

Thanks to the new operating system and two 2.5Gbps ports, the TerraMaster F2-223 is an excellent buy for those wanting an affordable yet fast NAS server. Just make sure you have a Multi-gig switch for it.

While TerraMaster doesn’t offer a similar level of depth in its software as Synology, the new F2-223 has enough to excite newbies, and advanced users might fight it good enough to get the job done.

But potentially, things will only get better with the TerraMaster with future updates.

Most importantly, this server is the only sub-$300 option that gives you Mult-Gig performance right out of the box. And that alone will make a lot of folks happy. So get one today!