QNAP Launches QNA-UC5G1T: A USB 3.0 to 5 GbE Network Adapter
by Anton Shilov on May 23, 2019 10:00 AM EST
QNAP has introduced its USB 3.0 to 5 GbE adapter that can add support for a faster-than-GbE network standard to a PC or a QNAP NAS. The QNA-UC5G1T adapter is small and sleek, so it is easy to carry around or place near a NAS that needs more than one NBASE-T Ethernet ports.
The QNAP QNA-UC5G1T adapter is based on Aquantia’s single-port AQtion AQC111C 5G controller paired with a PCIe-to-USB 3.0 bridge compatible with a USB Type-C connector. The said Aquantia silicon supports an RJ-45 interface as well as various BASE-T/NBASE-T standards (including 100M, 1G, 2.5G and 5G) using contemporary copper Cat5e/Cat6 cabling that is widely used in homes and offices. The dongle is powered using a USB 3.0 interface.
QNAP’s USB 3.0 to 5GBASE-T adapter was designed for a variety of purposes. For laptop users it can enable compatibility with modern NBASE-T networks used by various enterprises. Besides, the adapter can be used to add a 5GBASE-T port (or more) to a NAS that does not have it. The manufacturer bundles USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C cables to ensure physical compatibility with a variety of devices.
When it comes to compatibility on the logical level, the QNA-UC5G1T can work with PCs running Windows 7/8/10, modern versions of macOS (manual driver installations are required), as well as Linux (core 3.10, 3.12, 3.2, 4.2, and 4.4). Besides, the adapter can work with QNAP’s NAS featuring QTS 4.3.6 (or later).
QNAP said that its QNA-UC5G1T is now available from various resellers, but never mentioned its MSRP. At press time, only one seller at Amazon.com offered the adapter for $212, but eventually pricing of the device will likely drop.
Related Reading:
- Club 3D Launches 2.5 GbE USB Type-A & USB Type-C Dongles
- Buffalo Unveils New 10GBase-T Network Card with 2.5G+5G
- QNAP Announces TS-332X Three-Bay NAS with 10 GbE
- Aquantia Launch AQtion 5G/2.5G/1G Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Cards (NICs) for PCIe
Source: QNAP
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abufrejoval - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
Kernel versions, but actually I believe they have merged the code for these into mainline some time ago.mooninite - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
Yeah that statement is really odd. They don't have a driver download for Linux on their website either. The 3.2, 3.10, 3.12, and 4.2 kernels are not LTS so either they worked with Red Hat or other vendors directly or they may offer a tarball to download soon. Hopefully they upstreamed their driver in any case.bug77 - Friday, May 24, 2019 - link
But if those are kernel versions, they're, like, ancient.nucc1 - Friday, May 24, 2019 - link
If you're the NYSE and you're running Redhat, that's probably one of the kernels you're using because it works, and redhat patches any security flaws found anyway.profssrfink - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
I don't get this at all. You still need to plug it in to a 10Gb switch. So why knee-cap your speed when you can just get a 10Gb adaptor. This release makes literally no sense. 10Gb adapters aren't very expensive either. I mean I guess for people who want to use legacy copper? Doesn't sound like a huge market.PixyMisa - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
For laptops and all-in-ones that don't have PCIe slots.Dug - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
Because there's about a billion devices that either A. You can't fit a 10Gb adaptor, such as no pci slot. B. There is no way to install an adapter. C. You don't have a thunderbolt 3 to get the really expensive 10Gb adapter. So actually, yeah there is a huge market.Lakados - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
USB 3.0 and 3.1 have latency issues that make 10G adapters top out around 6G while tripling the cost, where the 5G variants seem to always perform between 2.5G and their designated 5G while being far more compatible as they draw less power and not all laptops provide the full power to their USB ports. Thunderbolt 3 ports however don't have those same latency problems and they have a hard-line stance on the ports power delivery specifications which is why you can already find a number of TB3 to 10G adapters there.brakdoo - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
Don't listen to the weirdos, it's 100% about power consumption. 5 gbps is already a mess, 10 gbps is is a total fuckup when it comes to power.brakdoo - Thursday, May 23, 2019 - link
Their description: "A fanless desiign with shallow grooves provides effective heat dissipation".Meaning your battery is empty in 3,2,1... QNAP