DXP4800 Plus Hardware

[Enquiries]

1) USB C Port : I read the USB C port on DXP4800 Plus is actually TB4 port but they've only enabled it on the 6 and 8 bay? Is there a way to enable this if so?

2) m.2 NVME Slots: I read a review that said one is 3X4 and the other is 4X4. NAS Compares says 2 x 4x4 m.2 NVME slots. For the 8 bay review it states one is Gen 4x4 the second slot is Gen 4x4 but has been downgraded to Gen 3x2 or 8G transfers. The 3rd slot for the operating system is Gen 3x1 slot...Can't see any info on Ugreen website.
Do they have to be the same to create a raid with the two SSD's? Should I save money and buy the lower generation SSD?

3) SSD Cache vs Pool:
With the 2xNVME Slots, is it either cache or create a storage pool? (READ ONLY caching ~or~ READ/WRITE CACHING?) You can’t use Write Caching on its own? Read/Write caching requires two separate drives?

Can you get around that by Read/Write caching on one SSD (by partitioning it into separate volumes) and create a storage pool on the other SSD?

[ed]

Thanks for reaching out with your questions about the DXP4800 Plus. Let me address each of your concerns:

1) USB-C Port and Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) Compatibility
You’re correct that on some models, the USB-C port is indeed a Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) port, but it’s only officially enabled on the 6 and 8-bay models. If the DXP4800 Plus is a 4-bay model, this functionality might be disabled at the firmware or hardware level. Unfortunately, enabling TB4 functionality on a model where it’s disabled would likely require hardware modifications or firmware changes that aren’t typically available to end-users.

It’s best to check with the manufacturer or the official documentation for any firmware updates or settings that might enable this feature, but generally, it’s not something that can be enabled if it’s not supported out of the box.

2) M.2 NVMe Slots Configuration
There’s often some confusion regarding the NVMe slots, so let's clarify:

According to the NAS Compares review, the DXP4800 Plus should have 2 x Gen 4x4 M.2 NVMe slots. If you’ve read conflicting information, it’s possible that there was a firmware or hardware update, or the specifications can vary slightly by model or firmware version.
As for RAID, ideally, you would use two identical SSDs to create a RAID array for optimal performance and reliability. If one slot operates at Gen 4x4 and the other at Gen 3x2, the performance will be limited to the speed of the slower slot. You can save money by using lower-generation SSDs if you're planning to use them in a RAID setup that will operate at the slower speed anyway.
3) SSD Cache vs. Storage Pool
Cache Options: Typically, NAS devices allow you to use SSDs for read-only caching or read/write caching. To enable read/write caching, you usually need two SSDs configured in RAID 1 to protect data integrity.
Single SSD Read/Write Caching: Most NAS devices do not support using a single SSD for read/write caching because it poses a risk of data loss if the SSD fails. Using one SSD for read-only caching and the other for a storage pool is possible, but not ideal for write caching purposes.
Partitioning SSDs: While partitioning one SSD for read/write caching and using the other for storage pool is technically possible, it is not recommended due to performance degradation and potential complexity in managing the cache.
Recommendation:
For Caching: If you want to utilize read/write caching, it’s best to use two identical SSDs in a RAID 1 configuration. This provides a balance between speed and data protection.
For Storage Pool: If your primary goal is additional storage rather than caching, you can use both SSDs to create a separate storage pool, which can be useful for high-speed, frequently accessed data.
Budget Consideration: If budget is a concern, start with a single SSD for read-only caching to boost read performance and consider upgrading to a full read/write cache setup as needed.