BUFFALO TeraStation 3420: 4-Bay SMB 8TB Rackmount NAS Storage with Included Drives

The BUFFALO TeraStation 3420 is a durable, enterprise‑savvy 4‑bay NAS designed for small and medium‑sized businesses that demand reliable, flexible, and scalable storage. With 8TB of total capacity pre‑installed (2 x 4TB drives) in a compact 2U rackmount chassis, it delivers immediate, centralized storage for file sharing, backups, media streaming, and collaboration across office networks. Built for round‑the‑clock operation, the TeraStation 3420 combines robust data protection, easy management, and a design that fits seamlessly into existing server rooms, data closets, or IT closets. Whether you’re supporting a growing team, multiple departments, or branch offices, this NAS is engineered to simplify storage administration while safeguarding your critical information.

• Ready-to-use 8TB capacity in a 4‑bay rackmount chassis — Includes two 4TB drives for immediate, scalable storage that supports team collaboration, file sharing, backups, and centralized media libraries across your network.
• Comprehensive data protection with flexible RAID options — Choose RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, or 10 to balance performance and redundancy, plus features such as scheduled backups, drive health monitoring, and alert notifications to help prevent data loss.
• Cross‑platform file sharing and centralized access — Seamless compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux clients via SMB/CIFS, as well as support for essential network protocols to fit diverse IT environments.
• Easy setup, management, and remote administration — Intuitive web-based management, proactive health monitoring, and remote access tools enable quick deployment, ongoing maintenance, and rapid response across multiple sites.
• Rack‑ready design with hot‑swappable drives and energy efficiency — A 2U rackmount form factor with drive trays that can be replaced without downtime, plus efficient power usage to keep operating costs reasonable in SMB deployments.

Technical Details of BUFFALO TeraStation 3420 4-Bay SMB 8TB (2x4TB) Rackmount NAS Storage

• Storage configuration: 8TB total capacity comprised of 2 x 4TB drives included in a 4‑bay rackmount NAS chassis.
• Drive bays: 4 hot‑swappable bays designed for easy replacement and expansion; supports drive replacement without powering down the unit.
• Form factor: 2U rackmount chassis suitable for standard server rooms or IT closets, designed to fit in 19" racks.
• Networking: Primary network connectivity via Gigabit Ethernet for reliable, steady NAS performance in SMB environments.
• USB connectivity: USB ports (typically USB 3.0) for external backups, rapid data transfer, or quick‑connect expansion devices.
• File protocols and cross‑platform support: Supports common SMB/CIFS networking for Windows, with compatibility for Linux/Unix and macOS clients; provision for standard network file sharing across mixed environments.
• RAID and storage management: RAID options available to tailor performance and protection to your needs; centralized management for ease of monitoring and administration.
• Power and energy efficiency: Designed for 24/7 operation with energy‑efficient components and cooling to help control running costs in a business setting.
• Security and access control: User authentication and access permissions to safeguard sensitive data, along with alerting and health monitoring to keep you informed about drive status and system health.

How to install BUFFALO TeraStation 3420

• Place the TeraStation 3420 in a suitable rack location, ensuring adequate ventilation and clearance for front‑panel access and drive trays.
• Connect the unit to your network using a standard Ethernet connection and attach it to a power outlet. Power on the device to begin initialization.
• Access the web‑based management interface from a connected computer. The setup wizard will guide you through initial configuration, including language preferences, time settings, and network parameters.
• Configure storage by selecting a RAID level that aligns with your priorities (performance vs. redundancy). Create storage pools and then establish shared folders or volumes for team use, with appropriate permissions for users and groups.
• Set up user accounts and access controls, enable backups or replication to other systems if desired, and configure alert preferences (email or SNMP) so you’re notified about drive health, capacity, or faults.
• Enable remote access and mobile or desktop apps if you require off‑site access or monitoring from anywhere, and schedule regular backups to protect against data loss.

Frequently asked questions

• What is included with the Buffalo TeraStation 3420? The NAS enclosure ships with 8TB of total storage capacity, provided as two 4TB drives installed in a 4‑bay chassis, ready for immediate use.
• Can I expand storage later? Yes. The four hot‑swappable bays allow you to upgrade drives over time or replace existing drives with higher capacity units. You can also attach external USB storage for additional backup targets or temporary expansion.
• Which operating systems can access the NAS? It supports cross‑platform access across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems via standard network protocols, enabling centralized storage for diverse environments.
• What data protection options are available? The TeraStation 3420 offers multiple RAID configurations to balance performance and redundancy, along with scheduled backups, health monitoring, and alert notifications to help prevent data loss.
• Is remote access supported? Yes. The NAS provides remote management capabilities and, where supported, mobile or desktop client access to retrieve or back up files from outside the local network.
• How do I install or replace drives? Drives are hot‑swappable, so you can replace or upgrade drives without powering down the unit, minimizing downtime during maintenance or expansion.
• Is it suitable for small‑business environments? Absolutely. The TeraStation 3420 is designed for SMB workgroups, branch offices, and small data centers needing reliable file serving, backups, and centralized storage within a rackmount footprint.