Qnap qna uc5g1t review in Spanish (full analysis)

QNAP QNA UC5G1T is already a reality, and after being officially presented at Computex 2019, it is time for its release on the market and to carry out our full analysis. This small device is a USB 3.1 Gen1 to RJ-45 adapter at 5 Gbps, so we can add the possibility of adding 5GbE / 2.5GbE / 1GbE / 100MbE connectivity in our equipment, needing only a USB 3.0 port.

As of now, we don't need a high-end motherboard to enjoy a high-speed network for gaming or to transfer large amounts of files. With this little wonder we have everything.

And before starting our review, we must thank QNAP for the trust they show us by giving us their product.

QNAP QNA UC5G1T technical characteristics

Unboxing

We start with our analysis, always presenting the product in its sales packaging. QNAP QNA UC5G1T has arrived in what will be its official box, built in flexible cardboard, although of good thickness and with an opening at the top, where it also has an element to hang it.

On the main face of this box we have a couple of photographs of the device with its normal network input along with its main features represented by icons. On the back, we are offered more information about compatibility with operating systems and some other details.

We then open the box, and extract a consistent cardboard mold that brings the QNAP QNA UC5G1T perfectly coupled in the central area. The accessory count will be as follows:

QNAP QNA UC5G1T 0.2m USB Type-C to USB Type-A Adapter Cable Installation User Guide

An extremely concise bundle with strictly what is necessary. Now, let's proceed to see the design of this network adapter.

Exterior design

QNAP QNA UC5G1T is a device that undoubtedly stands out for its simplicity and extreme simplicity in the choice of shapes. The manufacturer has opted to build a square monocoque, thick aluminum package. We refer to "monocoque" because the four side faces are part of a single aluminum block, surely made by extrusion. A medium gray color with a matte finish has been chosen for its decoration.

The measures of the USB network adapter are 99.8 mm long, 28 mm wide and 27.85 mm high. This means that it is practically the size of a Smartphone external charging battery, and practically the same thickness. The device without cable or anything, weighs only 111 grams, so portability is simply excellent, even being able to carry it in your pocket.

Let's go to the extremes to take a closer look at the connection interface that the QNAP QNA UC5G1T has, since it is practically the only thing we have.

In the area that we consider frontal, we find a simple USB Type-C connector in version 3.1 Gen1, or also known as normal 3.0. Remember that this type of interface works at 5 Gbps, hence this adapter is precisely this speed. If we make memory, QNAP also has a Thunderbolt 3 to 10 GbE adapter, the QNA T310G1S, so we would only lack a device that works under USB 3.1 Gen2, perfectly viable for this type of USB connection that you know that it locks at 10 Gbps.

Well, now we are going to see the part that we consider rear, which is where the RJ-45 Ethernet Base-T port (the normal one of all life) has been installed for interconnection with the traditional LAN. But we not only have the connector itself, but also a pair of indicator LEDs whose operating scheme will be as follows:

Right LED off: no connection Right green LED steady: connected, but inactive Right LED flashing green: connection active Left LED green: 5Gbps connection Left LED amber: 2.5G / 1G / 100M connection

So it is quite clear, since the operation is exactly the same as the RJ-45 ports of high speed switches and routers.

Without a doubt, with this compact and small-sized design, we find it ideal for users of Max-Q design notebooks that do not have this type of integrated Ethernet connectivity for reasons of space. All these devices, except the extremely thin ones, will have some USB 3.0, so the use and utility of QNAP QNA UC5G1T is more than assured.

Similarly, we see it highly recommended for small businesses or users who have a QNAP NAS or similar in their workplace and need a broadband connection to perform backups or a high capacity for data exchange.

Controller and compatibility

Inside this QNAP QNA UC5G1T an Aquantia AQC111U controller has been integrated that is capable of transforming the data signal from both connection interfaces and also without any latency. The normal use of this device will be through a network of two nodes connected to the ports of a 10 GbE or 5 GbE switch to extract its full potential.

Precisely this above is quite important, since the network adapter does not support the trunk link between two nodes through USB or ethernet ports (which has been a crossover connection). Tamp oco supports DHCP server, RADVD server, and static routing. So this is why we need an intermediate switch to establish communication.

Regarding the compatibility of QNAP QNA UC5G1T, we will detail each of the compatible systems and devices:

Windows 10, 8.1, 8 and 7 with the driver available on the official website or the one that gives us the device directly when connecting it. MacOS is not currently natively supported, so we will need to manually install a driver. In Linux it will be compatible for kernels 3.10, 3.12, 3.2, 4.2 and 4.4, also with its respective driver. For NAS QNAP we only need the operating system QTS in version 4.3.6 or higher.

Otherwise, it will be compatible with all kinds of switching devices such as hubs, switches or routers. In the same way, it will be able to work at all available speeds less than 5 Gbps up to 100Mbps. Another advantage is that we do not need external power, since you only need the one provided by the USB 3.0 link.

Installation process

Although it is pure curiosity due to the extreme ease of this process, we will see how to proceed to install our QNAP QNA UC5G1T on the computer.

The first thing to do is connect the extender cable from the Type-C of the adapter to a USB 3.1 Gen1 or Gen2 port, but never 2.0. At this moment, Windows will detect it as a storage device, specifically a CD-ROM. So we will double-click on the icon to automatically start the necessary driver installation wizard for the system.

In this simple way, we will have the device installed and compatible with our system. From now on it will be almost invisible to us and will provide us with that Internet link that we did not have when connecting. In the network properties we can see it in the form of a network card with its characteristics.

Test of performance

Now we are going to proceed to perform the performance tests of this QNAP QNA UC5G1T, where we will basically test the speed in the file transfer between one node and another. It should be remembered that, being a link at 5 Gbps, the theoretical speed that it could reach would be 625 MB / s (5000/8), but obviously we will not be able to reach those figures due to losses in the conversion of the interface and on devices.

The two nodes that we have configured to perform this test are the following:

Node 1 (USB 3.1 gen1)

MSI MEG Z390 ACEIntel Core i9-9900KSSD ADATA SU750

Node 2 (Ethernet)

Asus Z390 ROG MAXIMUS FORMULA XI (LAN 5 Gbps) Intel Core i9-9900KSSD ADATA SU750

Switch with 10 GbE ports

Cat 5e Ethernet Cable

We see that with these two impressive test benches we are going to obtain practically the maximum available of the connection, and in that stipulated in the Qnap tests that were 428 MB / s for download and 422 MB / s for upload.

We must consider that the download is about passing a file from the node with a 5 Gbps ethernet card to the node with QNAP QNA UC5G1T. In the case of the climb, it will be just the opposite.

Similarly, latency is simply reduced to less than 1 ms in all requests sent, and this is a very positive thing from a gaming point of view, for example.

Final words and conclusion about QNAP QNA UC5G1T

Well, we come to the end of this review of the interesting QNAP QNA UC5G1T adapter. A device that in terms of design, has been chosen exactly what the user asks for, quality of construction with aluminum chassis and extremely compact measures to even transport it in a pocket.

The Aquantia AQC111U controller inside it gives us a bandwidth of 5G / 2.5G / 1G / 100M, the full range of connectivity for a high-performance ethernet link. Furthermore, compatibility is virtually complete on all current systems, including Linux and QNAP NAS.

We recommend our guide to the best NAS on the market

The results we have obtained are simply what the manufacturer promised, greater than 400 MB / s both up and down. Obviously we did not reach those theoretical 5 Gbps, but we are exceeding 3000 Mbps in length and this is much more than a wired 2.5 Gbps link. Similarly, the latency is reduced to practically zero for internal connections, so it is also a suitable device for gaming.

And finally, we must pay attention to availability and price, since we will have QNAP QNA UC5G1T for a price of about 75 euros in stores associated with QNAP as PCComponentes. It is a cost we raise, because certainly yes, although we are saving ourselves from buying a motherboard that exceeds 300 euros, and PCIe network cards that are also similarly priced.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ VERY COMPACT DESIGN IN ALUMINUM	- PRICE
+ STANDARD CONNECTIVITY AND HIGH COMPATIBILITY	- SOMETHING BASIC SOFTWARE
+ PERFORMANCE UP TO 400 MB / S AND WITHOUT LATENCY	- A SNIPER BUTTON WOULD BE VERY USEFUL
+ THE CONTROLLER IS INCLUDED IN THE DEVICE