QNAP QM2 Series Dual M.2 NVMe SSD Slots + Dual 10GBASE-T PCIe Card

The QNAP QM2 Series is a high-performance expansion card designed to turbocharge your NAS or workstation. By delivering two M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe SSD slots and dual 10 GbE networking, this PCIe card unlocks rapid caching, accelerated data workflows, and blistering network throughput. Built to complement QNAP NAS ecosystems, the QM2 series blends storage acceleration with premium connectivity, turning a standard server into a powerhouse for virtualization, media editing, backups, and demanding data-intensive tasks. If you’re seeking to maximize NAS performance, streamline backups, and enjoy ultra-fast local and network access, the QM2 Series stands out as a compact, scalable solution.

• Dual 2x PCIe 2280 NVMe M.2 SSD slots: Install two high-speed NVMe drives (M.2 2280) to create a robust caching layer or expand fast storage for hot data. The design is optimized for low latency and high IOPS, improving response times for frequently accessed files and applications.
• PCIe Gen4 x8 host interface: The QM2 card connects to the motherboard or NAS PCIe bus through a Gen4 x8 interface, delivering ample bandwidth to feed both NVMe slots and the network controller without bottlenecks. This enables sustained performance during peak workloads and large data transfers.
• Two AQc113C 10GbE NICs (NBASE-T): Includes dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports that support high-speed network connectivity, ideal for fast backups, remote replication, media streaming, and bandwidth-intensive virtual environments. The two ports provide versatile link options and improved network resilience.
• NAS-centric design and compatibility: Engineered to work seamlessly with QNAP NAS models that offer PCIe expansion, providing a plug-and-play upgrade path for caching and networking. It’s tailored for QTS/RTS environments, ensuring streamlined setup and reliable operation within your existing ecosystem.
• Efficient cooling and reliability: Built with thermal considerations in mind to maintain performance under load. The optimized layout helps dissipate heat from NVMe drives and the dual NICs, promoting stable long-term operation for caching tasks and continuous network traffic.

Technical Details of QM2 Series

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install QNAP QM2 Series

• Power down your NAS or PCIe-equipped system and unplug it from power. Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe slot that supports full-length cards. The QM2 Series requires a PCIe slot with adequate clearance for the card and attached M.2 drives.
• Remove the slot cover and prepare the QM2 card for installation. If your model includes mounting screws or brackets for the M.2 slots, have them ready to secure the drives after installation.
• Align the QM2 card with the PCIe slot and gently but firmly insert it into the slot. Ensure the connector seats fully and the card sits flush with the chassis. Fasten the card to the chassis using the provided screw or mounting mechanism as applicable.
• Install the two M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs into the designated ports on the QM2 card, following the orientation indicated by the card’s labeling. If thermal shields or heat sinks are included, attach them per the manufacturer’s guidance to maximize cooling for sustained NVMe performance.
• Reinstall the chassis cover and reconnect power. Power up the NAS. Access the QTS/RTS interface and navigate to the Storage or Cache Management section to configure the NVMe drives as a cache layer or as standalone storage, depending on your optimization plan.
• Open the Network settings to verify the two 10GbE NICs are recognized. If your NAS supports Link Aggregation, you can configure NIC teaming for higher throughput and redundancy. Ensure cabling matches your network topology (Cat6a/6a+ or better for 10GbE).
• Optionally update firmware or system software to ensure compatibility with the QM2 Series and the two NVMe drives. Run a quick health check on the NVMe drives and validate cache operations to confirm optimal performance.
• Test performance by transferring large files and running concurrent tasks to verify caching benefits and network throughput. Monitor temperatures to ensure cooling is effective, especially under sustained workloads such as media editing or virtualization.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the QM2 Series? The QM2 Series is a QNAP expansion card that adds two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching or storage acceleration and dual 10GbE networking, all accessible through a single PCIe card for NAS or workstation setups.
• Which drives can I install? The QM2 supports two 2280-size NVMe M.2 SSDs. NVMe PCIe drives are recommended for best caching performance and low latency. Check your NAS model’s compatibility list for supported NVMe SSDs and any warranty notes.
• What network performance can I expect? With two 10GbE NICs (NBASE-T), you can achieve multi-gigabit network throughput, enabling rapid backups, scale-out storage replication, and high-speed file transfers across compatible networks.
• Do I need to configure caching? Caching configuration is optional. You can enable an NVMe-based cache to accelerate frequently accessed data, improving IOPS and latency for mixed workloads, streaming, and virtualization. Clear the cache when necessary to refresh performance profiles.
• Is this compatible with all QNAP NAS models? Compatibility depends on having a PCIe expansion slot and support in the NAS firmware for the QM2 Series. Check your NAS model’s hardware compatibility list and firmware notes to confirm support for M.2 NVMe caching and the AQc113C NICs.
• How should I manage heat and power? The QM2 card is designed with thermal considerations in mind, but NVMe SSDs generate heat under load. Ensure suitable airflow within the chassis and, if needed, use any included heat sinks or additional cooling to maintain stable performance during extended periods of high activity.
• Can I use SATA M.2 drives? The QM2 Series is optimized for NVMe PCIe M.2 SSDs. For best performance and compatibility, use NVMe drives configured for caching or fast storage. SATA-based M.2 drives are not recommended for cache in this configuration.
• Do the 10GbE ports support link aggregation? Yes, many QNAP NAS models support NIC teaming or link aggregation. By combining both 10GbE ports, you can achieve higher aggregate bandwidth and redundancy in your network setup.
• How do I enable caching or configure the two NVMe drives? Use the QTS/RTS interface to initialize the drives, assign a cache tier (read/write/cache-only), and monitor cache hit rates. Follow the on-screen prompts for optimal cache sizing and policy settings based on your workload.