Making a powerful home server - Gary Explains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jKlDCnk-mM Here is a summary of the video review for the TerraMaster F4-425 Plus, presented by Gary Explains.
TerraMaster F4-425 Plus Review: NAS & Home Server
Gary presents the TerraMaster F4-425 Plus as not just a storage solution, but a capable candidate for a home server, highlighting its powerful specifications, storage flexibility, and virtualization capabilities.
1. Key Hardware Specifications
- Processor: Intel N150 CPU (Performance-efficient, low power).
- Memory: 16GB DDR5 RAM (Excellent for running VMs and Docker).
- Networking: 2x 5GbE Ethernet ports (Supports link aggregation and failover).
- Storage Capacity:
- 4x SATA Drive Bays (3.5” or 2.5”).
- 2x M.2 NVMe Slots (Accessible by removing the outer casing).
- Maximum Raw Capacity: 144TB.
2. Installation & Setup
- HDD Installation: Tool-less, slide-out trays make installing 3.5” drives very easy.
- NVMe Installation: Requires unscrewing the back plate and sliding off the cover to access the motherboard.
- Software Initialization: Accessed via
tnas.localor a desktop app. The setup wizard installs the TOS operating system and formats the drives. - File System: Supports TRAID and TRAID+. TRAID+ allows for up to two drive failures without data loss.
3. User Interface & Features
- OS: Runs on TOS (TerraMaster Operating System), which features a desktop-like web interface.
- Services: SMB (Windows networking) is enabled by default with home directories automatically shared.
- App Center: Allows installation of various applications including backup tools, Plex, Jellyfin, Docker, and VirtualBox.
4. Performance Benchmarks
Test Setup: Gary used a PC with a 2.5GbE port, which created a bottleneck (max speed capped around 280 MB/s).
| Test Scenario | Source | Destination | Speed | Notes |
| Large File (10GB) | NAS HDD | PC SSD | 280 MB/s | Saturated 2.5GbE link |
| Large File (10GB) | NAS SSD | PC SSD | 280 MB/s | Saturated 2.5GbE link |
| 10k Small Files | NAS HDD | PC SSD | ~180 MB/s | |
| 10k Small Files | NAS SSD | PC SSD | ~170 MB/s | Slightly slower on random reads |
| Internal Copy | NAS HDD | NAS SSD | 222 MB/s | No network bottleneck |
| Internal Copy | NAS SSD | NAS HDD | 292 MB/s | No network bottleneck |
5. Media Server & Transcoding
Gary tested the device using Jellyfin:
- Direct Play: Handles 4K H.264 content flawlessly.
- 4K Transcoding: The Intel N150 chip supports hardware transcoding. It successfully transcoded high-bitrate 4K footage down to 15Mbps with very low CPU usage (approx. 5%) because the GPU handled the load.
- Legacy Formats: Transcoded old MPEG2 video to H.264 at incredibly high speeds (800+ FPS).
6. Home Server Capabilities (Virtualization)
Because the unit has 16GB of RAM, it excels as a home server.
- VirtualBox: Users can install VirtualBox from the App Center to run Virtual Machines.
- Demo: Gary successfully installed and ran a Debian Linux desktop environment directly on the NAS. It functioned smoothly via a web-based remote desktop interface, turning the NAS into a fully functional Linux server.
Verdict
The TerraMaster F4-425 Plus is a robust unit that bridges the gap between simple storage and a home lab server. Its combination of the Intel N150 chip, generous RAM, and mixed storage options (SATA + NVMe) makes it ideal for users who want to run virtual machines, Docker containers, and media servers alongside standard file storage.