QNAP TS-673A-8G NAS Storage System

The QNAP TS-673A-8G NAS Storage System is engineered for efficiency, speed, and versatility, designed to meet the needs of creative teams, small businesses, and tech enthusiasts who demand reliable data access, rapid backups, and scalable storage. Powered by an AMD Ryzen™ V1500B quad-core processor clocked at 2.2 GHz, this six-bay NAS delivers solid performance for multitasking workloads, media libraries, virtual machines, and intensive file transfers. Coupled with 8GB of memory, dual 2.5GbE networking, and an M.2 NVMe SSD slot for caching, the TS-673A-8G provides a compelling balance of speed, capacity, and expandability in a compact form factor. The flexible operating system choice—QTS for everyday administration or QuTS hero for data integrity and advanced storage features—gives you the power to tailor the NAS to your workflow, whether you’re backing up workstations, hosting shared folders, running containers, or delivering media to multiple users. With PCIe expansion to add high-speed networking and cache acceleration, this NAS is ready to scale with your business needs while keeping management simple and intuitive.

• High-performance CPU and memory: The AMD Ryzen™ V1500B quad-core processor offers robust multi-tasking capabilities, paired with 8GB of memory to handle multiple users, backups, and applications simultaneously. This combination yields responsive app performance, smooth file transfers, and efficient virtualization tasks, enabling you to run services like surveillance, container apps, and collaboration tools side-by-side without noticeable slowdowns.
• Flexible storage with fast caching: The TS-673A-8G features six hot-swappable drive bays supporting 3.5" HDDs and 2.5" SSDs, so you can design a storage pool that fits your redundancy and capacity goals. The built-in M.2 NVMe SSD slot allows caching and acceleration to dramatically improve access times and IOPS for frequently accessed data, databases, and virtual machines, while your primary drives handle long-term storage. This hybrid arrangement delivers faster data access and improved system responsiveness across busy workgroups.
• Next-level networking: Built with two 2.5GbE network ports, the TS-673A-8G ensures fast, reliable data transfers within LAN environments and supports link aggregation for even higher throughput. When your workload requires more bandwidth, you can extend capabilities via PCIe expansion to add a 10GbE NIC, giving you a scalable networking backbone that matches your growth trajectory and workload requirements.
• Expansion and acceleration options: The platform includes a PCIe expansion slot that lets you tailor the system to your needs—add a high-speed 10GbE network adapter for ultra-fast data movement or install an NVMe SSD expansion for additional caching. This flexibility makes it possible to adapt to evolving workloads, whether you’re backing up large media libraries, hosting virtual machines, or streaming high‑definition content to multiple users.
• Dual operating systems for flexibility and protection: With QTS and QuTS hero dual-OS support, you can choose the traditional, user-friendly management experience or the data-protective, ZFS-inspired storage environment for advanced data integrity, snapshots, and flexible storage pools. This combination provides robust data protection, easy administration, efficient backups, and cloud integration, empowering you to optimize workflows while safeguarding important assets.

Technical Details of QNAP TS-673A-8G

• Model: TS-673A-8G
• CPU: AMD Ryzen™ V1500B quad-core processor, 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM
• Bays: 6-drive bays (hot-swappable) for 3.5" HDDs or 2.5" SSDs
• M.2 Slot: 1 x M.2 NVMe SSD slot for caching/acceleration
• PCIe: 1 x PCIe Gen3 expansion slot for add-ons (e.g., 10GbE NIC or NVMe expansion)
• Networking: 2 x 2.5GbE RJ-45 ports; supports link aggregation
• Operating System: QTS and QuTS hero dual-OS
• File System/Features: Supports modern storage features, including flexible RAID options and data-protection capabilities across both OS environments
• Vendor Notes: Designed for hybrids of business data, multimedia libraries, backups, and virtualization workloads in small to mid-size environments

How to Install QNAP TS-673A-8G

• Step 1: Unbox the TS-673A-8G and place it on a stable surface in a well-ventilated area. Ensure you have the appropriate drive media ready (HDDs/SSDs) and a compatible network switch or router.
• Step 2: Install drives into the six hot-swappable bays. Align the drives, slide them into trays, and secure them according to the tray design. If you’re starting with fewer drives, you can still boot the device and expand later.
• Step 3: Install the M.2 NVMe SSD into the dedicated slot if you want caching. This step is optional but recommended if you plan to accelerate frequently accessed data or virtualization workloads.
• Step 4: Connect the NAS to power, then connect an Ethernet cable from one of the 2.5GbE ports to your network. If possible, connect to a switch or router that supports higher speeds to maximize performance.
• Step 5: Power on the unit and use QFinder Pro (a companion utility) or a web browser to locate the device on your network. Access the NAS web UI by navigating to its IP address.
• Step 6: Follow the on-screen setup wizard to choose either QTS or QuTS hero. Create a user account, set security preferences, and configure initial network settings (e.g., static IP or DHCP, DNS).
• Step 7: Create storage pools and volumes. Decide on RAID levels that balance performance and redundancy, then initialize volumes to prepare for data storage, file sharing, and application hosting.
• Step 8: Enable recommended services and features, such as SMB/NFS for file sharing, iSCSI for virtualization, and Docker or Container Station for containerized apps. If you installed an NVMe cache, configure it to accelerate requested workloads.
• Step 9: Set up backups and remote replication. Configure snapshots, cloud sync, and remote destinations to protect important data and enable quick recovery in the event of data loss.
• Step 10: Review security settings, enable 2-factor authentication if available, and set up user permissions and shared folders. Add monitoring and alert notifications to keep you informed about drive health and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the QNAP TS-673A-8G best for? It is a versatile six-bay NAS designed for small businesses and power users who need fast data access, robust backups, virtualization support, and flexible storage options with expandable networking capabilities.
• What operating systems does it run? It supports both QTS for straightforward administration and QuTS hero for enhanced data integrity, advanced storage features, and rigorous protection in data-heavy environments.
• How many drives can I install? You can install up to six drives in the bays, offering ample configure-and-grow possibilities for RAID arrays and mixed-drive setups.
• Can I upgrade the memory? The model ships with 8GB of RAM. Memory upgrade options depend on the processor and chassis compatibility; check official specifications or product documentation before upgrading.
• Is 10GbE available on this model? The NAS includes two 2.5GbE ports by default, with a PCIe expansion slot that lets you add a 10GbE NIC if you require higher network throughput or dedicated storage performance for demanding workloads.
• What workloads benefit most from this NAS? File sharing for teams, centralized backups, media libraries, virtualization, containerized apps, surveillance data storage, and hybrid cloud workflows all benefit from its balance of speed, capacity, and expandable networking.