Ubiquiti UNAS-Pro: Redefining NAS for the UniFi Ecosystem

Hola, my tech-savvy friends! Juan David here, your Flytec Tech Lead Support and UniFi Certified Trainer. Today, we’re diving into an exciting piece of hardware that’s been the talk of the tech community—the Ubiquiti UNAS-Pro, Ubiquiti’s first-ever NAS (Network Attached Storage) solution. Designed to seamlessly integrate into the UniFi ecosystem, the UNAS-Pro delivers a powerful, intuitive, and reliable storage solution for UniFi users. Let’s explore how it’s redefining the possibilities of NAS within the UniFi ecosystem.

A Bold New Direction: What is the UNAS-Pro?

The Ubiquiti UNAS-Pro is a 2U rack-mount NAS with seven drive bays, built for users who demand high-speed, large-scale storage and sharing within their UniFi setups. Unlike traditional NAS solutions from brands like Synology and QNAP, the UNAS-Pro is deeply integrated into the UniFi ecosystem, offering a streamlined experience for UniFi users.

Key Specs at a Glance:

• Drive Bays: (7) 2.5"/3.5" HDD/SSD support.
• Network Interface: (1) 10G SFP+ uplink and (1) 1G RJ45 port.
• Processor: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 at 1.7 GHz.
• Memory: 8 GB of system memory.
• Data Protection: RAID support.
• Management Features: 1.3-inch touchscreen display for easy system monitoring and configuration.

With a starting price of $499, the UNAS-Pro is competitively priced compared to similar offerings, making it an attractive option for UniFi users who want centralized storage without breaking the bank.

Design and Build Quality

The UNAS-Pro sports a sleek 2U rack-mount chassis made of SGCC steel. Its compact size and robust construction make it a great fit for server rooms or home setups. The front panel features seven drive bays, each capable of housing 2.5" or 3.5" drives, and an intuitive 1.3-inch touchscreen that provides real-time system information and control options.

Key Features of the Build:

• Compact Design: Ideal for rack-mounted setups with a half-depth chassis.
• Drive Flexibility: Supports a mix of HDDs and SSDs, giving users the flexibility to optimize performance and capacity.
• Touchscreen Display: Provides live updates on system status, network performance, and even fan controls—a rare feature for NAS devices.

The 7-bay design is unique and somewhat unconventional, offering plenty of storage while maintaining a compact footprint. The ability to use third-party drives ensures flexibility for users who want to avoid proprietary lock-ins.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the UNAS-Pro is powered by a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU paired with 8 GB of DDR4 memory. These specifications are optimized for the UniFi ecosystem while offering the performance and reliability needed for demanding applications.

Network Performance

The inclusion of a 10G SFP+ port ensures ultra-fast data transfer speeds, making the UNAS-Pro a solid choice for bandwidth-heavy tasks like video editing, backups, and large-scale file sharing. The additional 1G RJ45 port acts as a failover, ensuring reliable connectivity.

Storage Performance

With support for advanced RAID configurations, the UNAS-Pro provides robust data protection and redundancy. Users can configure RAID levels to suit their needs, including RAID 5 and RAID 6 for a balance of performance and fault tolerance, or RAID 10 for enhanced redundancy and performance. These options make the UNAS-Pro ideal for users who prioritize both speed and data reliability.

Integration with UniFi

What truly sets the UNAS-Pro apart is its seamless integration into the UniFi ecosystem. From setup to management, every aspect of the UNAS-Pro is designed to complement other UniFi products like the Dream Machines (UDM-PRO, UDM-SE, UDM-PRO-MAX) and NVRs (UNVR, UNVR-PRO, ENVR).

Key Integration Features:

1. Unified Dashboard: Manage all UniFi devices, including the UNAS-Pro, from a single interface.
2. Mobile-Friendly Setup: Use the UniFi app to configure the NAS via Bluetooth or your local network.
3. Snapshot Support: Easily create and restore snapshots for data recovery.

User Management: Assign different levels of access to users, making it ideal for both personal and business environments.

Real-World Applications

The UNAS-Pro is ideal for:

• Small Businesses: Centralize data storage, backups, and file sharing.
• Creative Professionals: Handle bandwidth-heavy tasks like video editing or media storage.
• Home Users: Securely store and access personal files while integrating with existing UniFi networks.
• ISPs: Use as part of an infrastructure for storage and data distribution.

Is the UNAS-Pro Right for You?

The Ubiquiti UNAS-Pro nails the fundamentals, making it an excellent choice for users already invested in the UniFi ecosystem. Its user-friendly interface, fast setup, and competitive pricing make it accessible to both beginners and experienced tech enthusiasts.

For UniFi users who prioritize seamless integration and straightforward storage, the UNAS-Pro delivers in spades.

Flytec Has Your Back

As always, Flytec Computers is here to support you with the best networking solutions. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your network with the UNAS-Pro or need expert advice on UniFi products, we’ve got you covered.

Have questions? Do not hesitate to contact our team for personalized support. Until next time, happy networking!