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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Skeptical123 - Saturday, May 25, 2019 - link
...Fair but not all machines have TB3Skeptical123 - Saturday, May 25, 2019 - link
...Fair but not all machines have TB3umano - Friday, May 24, 2019 - link
That's good news but i really hope next generation of mb will have 10gbedontlistentome - Friday, May 24, 2019 - link
Club3D do a 2.5Gbps usb dongle for ~ £40 here in the UK (think $40 once the tax and currency jumbles are done). That uses the Realtek chip so really should be ~ £20 but given noone else seems to be offering them (even at AliExpress etc) i'm not surprised it's 40. Codes are CAC-1420 / CAC-1520 for USB3/C connectors.Switches for this are gradually coming out too (Netgear have a few) and just picked up Trendnet box (30102WS) that has 8x 2.5Gb and 2x 10Gb SPF+ when I saw the price (£99) I thought FINALLY prices getting sensible ... until I tried to order another for the other side of the house and it was coming up at £450. Guess I should feel lucky for the one I got at that amount.
Realistically, I think 10GbE is unlikely to really take off - the power consumption is 3-4 times SPF+, and for most who actually need more speed, cheap, universal low power 2.5Gb would be nice for now (and anyone who whines saying no point I want 10Gb really doesn't need more speed as they'd take what they can get). FYI that switch uses over 20w compare to 4-5w for a comparable gigabit device.
JTB3 - Tuesday, June 4, 2019 - link
Fortunately, the QNAP QNA-UC5G1T (USB 3.0 to 5GbE Adapter) retail price has now dropped below $100. Availability is scheduled for end-of June, 2019. See: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9101482770...James_Edge - Friday, June 7, 2019 - link
Was going to buy one of these until I actually read all the info on Qnap's website, it connects at up to 5Gbit but it only actually transfers at a max of 3.5Gbit.kwinz - Sunday, June 16, 2019 - link
Can somebody please benchmark this thing with iperf? Thanks in advance!Wask11 - Wednesday, June 19, 2019 - link
Yep biggest problem you are going to run into with this, is that people will think all 10gbe switches/nics are backwards compatible with 5gbe when that is not the case. If you wanted to connect to a synology then there is only one card that is compatible with 5gbe & synology that is the Intel x550 which is pricey...