ASUSTOR AS5402T NAS User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the setup, operation, and maintenance of your ASUSTOR AS5402T Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. The AS5402T is a high-performance 2-bay NAS designed for home and small office environments, featuring an Intel Quad-Core 2.0GHz CPU, four M.2 NVMe SSD slots, and dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports for efficient data management and multimedia streaming.

Figure 1: ASUSTOR AS5402T NAS Unit

The AS5402T NAS unit, shown from the front, highlighting its sleek black design and front-facing USB port.

Safety Information

Please read all safety instructions carefully before using the device. Failure to follow these instructions may result in electric shock, fire, or damage to the device.

• Ensure the power adapter is connected to a grounded outlet.
• Do not expose the device to water or excessive humidity.
• Do not block ventilation openings. Ensure proper airflow around the device.
• Use only the power adapter provided with the device.
• Avoid placing the device in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
• Do not attempt to open or repair the device yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.

Package Contents

Verify that all items listed below are included in your package. If any items are missing or damaged, contact your retailer.

Figure 2: AS5402T Package Contents and Dimensions

This diagram illustrates the AS5402T unit's dimensions and lists the included accessories: the NAS unit, Quick Installation Guide, AC Power Cord, AC Power Adapter, two RJ-45 LAN Cables (Cat 5e), and eight Flat Head Screws for 2.5" HDDs.

• ASUSTOR AS5402T Unit x1
• Quick Installation Guide x1
• AC Power Cord x1
• AC Power Adapter x1
• RJ-45 LAN Cable (Cat 5e) x2
• Flat Head Screw (for 2.5" HDD) x8

Hardware Overview

Familiarize yourself with the components and ports of your AS5402T NAS.

Figure 3: AS5402T Front and Rear Panel Layout

This image displays the front and rear panels of the AS5402T, labeling key components such as the Power Button, various LED indicators (Power, System Status, Network, USB, Hard Drive), One Touch Backup Button, USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, HDMI port, 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports, Reset Button, DC input, System Fan, and K-Lock security slot.

Front Panel

• Power Button: Turns the NAS on or off.
• LED Indicators:
  • Power LED: Indicates power status.
  • System Status LED: Shows system health.
  • Network LED: Indicates network activity.
  • USB LED: Indicates USB device connection.
  • Hard Drive LEDs: Show status of installed hard drives.
• One Touch Backup Button: Initiates a quick backup from a connected USB device.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port: For connecting USB devices.

Rear Panel

• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports (x2): Additional high-speed USB ports.
• HDMI Port: For connecting to a display.
• 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet Ports (x2): For network connectivity.
• Reset Button: Resets the NAS to factory defaults (use with caution).
• DC Input: Power adapter connection.
• System Fan: For cooling the system.
• K-Lock: Kensington security slot.

Internal Components

• Drive Bays (x2): For 3.5" or 2.5" SATA HDDs/SSDs.
• M.2 NVMe SSD Slots (x4): For high-speed NVMe SSDs, ideal for caching or storage pools.
• DDR4 RAM: 4GB DDR4-2933 RAM, expandable.
• Intel Celeron N5105 CPU: Quad-Core 2.0GHz processor.

Figure 4: Internal M.2 Slots and Dual 2.5GbE Ports

The left image shows the four internal M.2 NVMe SSD slots, providing high-speed storage expansion. The right image highlights the dual 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear panel, enabling fast network connectivity.

Setup

Follow these steps to set up your AS5402T NAS for the first time.

1. Hardware Installation

1. Install Hard Drives/SSDs:

   Slide out the drive trays from the front of the NAS. Secure your 3.5" or 2.5" SATA HDDs/SSDs into the trays using the provided screws. Slide the trays back into the NAS until they click into place.

2. Install M.2 NVMe SSDs (Optional):

   Locate the M.2 slots inside the NAS. Carefully insert the M.2 NVMe SSDs into the slots and secure them with the retaining screws.
3. Connect Network Cables:

   Connect one or both 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear of the NAS to your router or network switch using the provided RJ-45 LAN cables.

4. Connect Power:

   Connect the AC power adapter to the DC input port on the rear of the NAS, then plug the power cord into a grounded electrical outlet.

5. Power On:

   Press the Power Button on the front panel to turn on the NAS. The Power LED will illuminate.

2. Initial Configuration (ADM Setup)

Once the NAS is powered on, you will need to access the ASUSTOR Data Master (ADM) operating system for initial setup.

Figure 5: ADM Setup Process and Control Center

The left image illustrates the four-step process for setting up the ASUSTOR NAS. The right image shows the ASUSTOR Control Center application, used to discover and manage your NAS on the network.

1. Download ASUSTOR Control Center:

   On a computer connected to the same network as your NAS, download and install the ASUSTOR Control Center utility from the official ASUSTOR website (www.asustor.com/service/downloads).

2. Discover NAS:

   Launch ASUSTOR Control Center. It will automatically scan your network and display your AS5402T NAS. Select your NAS from the list.
3. Initialize System:

   Follow the on-screen prompts to initialize the system. This includes creating an administrator password, setting up network configurations, and installing the latest ADM firmware.

4. Create Storage Pool and Volume:

   After ADM installation, you will be guided to create a storage pool and volume. Choose your preferred RAID level (e.g., RAID 1 for data redundancy with two drives) and file system (e.g., Btrfs for advanced features like snapshots).

Operating the NAS

This section covers common operations and features of the ASUSTOR AS5402T NAS.

Accessing Files and Data

Figure 6: Cross-Platform Multi-User Access

The AS5402T supports access from various devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, enabling seamless file sharing across different operating systems.

• Network Shares: Access shared folders on your NAS directly from your computer's file explorer (Windows File Explorer, macOS Finder) using SMB/CIFS or NFS protocols.
• File Explorer (ADM): Use the built-in File Explorer application within the ADM web interface to manage files directly from your browser.
• Mobile Apps: Download ASUSTOR mobile apps (e.g., AiData) for convenient file access and management on your smartphone or tablet.

User and Group Management

Manage user accounts and groups to control access permissions to shared folders and applications.

• Navigate to Access Control > Local Users or Local Groups in ADM.
• Create new users, assign passwords, and configure their access rights to specific folders.
• Organize users into groups for easier management of permissions.

Application Installation (App Central)

Extend the functionality of your NAS by installing various applications from App Central.

Figure 7: Personal Plex Media Center

The AS5402T can serve as a powerful media server, allowing you to stream and play videos, music, and photos across various devices using applications like Plex.

• Open App Central from the ADM desktop.
• Browse categories or search for specific applications (e.g., Plex Media Server, Download Center, Surveillance Center).
• Click "Install" to add the application to your NAS.

Figure 8: ASUSTOR Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

ASUSTOR NAS devices are designed to integrate with professional creative workflows, including Adobe Creative Cloud, providing efficient storage solutions for content creators.

Data Backup and Synchronization

Protect your data by configuring backup and synchronization tasks.

• Backup & Restore: Schedule backups to external USB drives, remote NAS devices, or cloud storage services.
• DataSync Center: Synchronize files with public cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
• Snapshots (Btrfs): If using Btrfs, utilize Snapshot Center to create point-in-time copies of your data for quick recovery from accidental deletion or ransomware attacks.

Remote Access and Multimedia

Access your NAS content from anywhere and enjoy multimedia features.

Figure 9: Live Streaming Capabilities

The AS5402T supports live streaming setups, allowing users to broadcast content to various platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.

• EZ-Connect: Simplify remote access setup without complex router configurations.
• LooksGood: Manage and stream your video collection.
• SoundsGood: Organize and play your music library.
• Photo Gallery: Browse and share your photo albums.
• HDMI Output: Connect the NAS directly to a TV or monitor for direct multimedia playback. The AS5402T supports 10-bit 4K hardware decoding.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and data integrity of your NAS.

• Firmware Updates: Regularly check for and install ADM firmware updates via Settings > EZ-Update to ensure your system has the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes.
• System Health Monitoring: Monitor system status, CPU usage, memory usage, and disk health using the System Information and Storage Manager applications in ADM.
• Disk Health Check: Periodically run S.M.A.R.T. tests on your hard drives through Storage Manager to detect potential issues early.
• Clean Ventilation: Ensure the NAS ventilation openings are clear of dust and obstructions to prevent overheating.

Troubleshooting

This section provides solutions to common issues you might encounter.

Specifications

Detailed technical specifications for the ASUSTOR AS5402T NAS.

Figure 10: Intel N5105 CPU Performance

A visual representation of the Intel N5105 CPU's performance, indicating a significant improvement over previous generations like the Intel J4125.

Support and Warranty

For further assistance and warranty information, please refer to the following resources:

• Official ASUSTOR Website: Visit www.asustor.com for product information, FAQs, and support resources.
• Online User Manual: A detailed PDF user manual is available for download at ASUSTOR AS5402T User Manual (PDF).
• Technical Support: Contact ASUSTOR technical support through their website for specific issues not covered in this manual.
• Warranty Information: The ASUSTOR AS5402T comes with a standard manufacturer's warranty. Please refer to the warranty card included with your product or the official ASUSTOR website for specific terms and conditions.