N5200b vs N5200br

[securetalk]

I want too see if anyone can clear up some questions on the two versions of the Thecus N5200 NAS.

I often see reviews of the N5200b and occasionally the N5200br. But I have yet to see a comparison of the two units. The N5200br is referred to a the N5200 with Roustor . Even Thecus's WEB site does not give a comparison of the two units. It does not state which features are included in or lacking in each model, other the 4 port Roustor switch.

Other then the switch, what features do each unit have over the other?

If I already have a standalone 1gb switch, will hooking up my switch to the second 1gb port on the back of the Thecus N5200b provide the same connectivity?

I think I read that the N5200b has load balancing and fail over. It is my understanding that the N5200br does not have this feature.

Are there any other important features/options that the two versions of the N5200 have over each other?

[MasterBlaster]

Hi!

The two versions are compared in the downloadable manual.

www.thecus.com/download/manual/N5200_UM_V10_EN.pdf

The simple model has two Gigabit network ports. In case you only want to use your Thecus as NAS in your existing Gigabit network environment you can use either not both. The only configuration to use both is if you have an appropriate network device which is capable of connecting two network lines simultaniously using the features load balance or failover (for example Intel multiport network cards).

The RouStor model instead of the pair has one WAN port and a 4port switch built in. This meets the feature to work as router if your network configuration needs ist. For example, if you own a dsl router with only one port (must be an old model ) you could use the Thecus to connect up to 4 PCs to the internet simultaniously due to the routing function.

btw: It would be one item for the wishlist to the Thecus team to add PPoE support to the WAN port in order to access an ADSL modem directly....

More likely is the situation that you only have one network port installed in the room the Thecus is used and more PCs have to be connected. In this case you have two IP ranges, the one outside the room (at the WAN port) and the one inside (at the switch).

btw: Another item for the wishlist to the Thecus team: How about to add a firewall or network port filter to make use of that different IP ranges...

Beside the network feature the both models don't differ.

I hope this information helps.

GreetZ
MasterBlaster

[akuma666]

I think this is the only difference:

N5200BR - 1 x Gigabit , 4 port Gigabit switch ,
N5200B - 2 x Gigabit , 0 port gigabit switch, Load Balance, Failover