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Buffalo TS51220RH1604 TeraStation 12-Bay 2U NAS - 16TB Installed (4 x 4TB) - 16GB RAM - 10GbE
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Product Features
Technical Overview
At its core, the TS51220RH1604 is powered by an Annapurna Labs Alpine AL524 quad-core processor running at 2.04 GHz, paired with 16GB of DDR4 SDRAM. This compute foundation handles multi-protocol file services and RAID operations efficiently. Storage is managed via Serial ATA/600 controllers supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD, providing flexibility for performance, capacity, or redundancy priorities.
Network connectivity is a standout feature, with four RJ-45 ports supporting both 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. This allows for high-speed data transfers and link aggregation. The system also includes four USB ports (two USB 2.0) for peripheral expansion or backup targets.
Relevant factors for this section include Number of Hard Drives Supported, Number of Hard Drives Installed, Total Hard Drive Capacity Installed, Processor Manufacturer. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
Key Product Advantages
This TeraStation model delivers several advantages for IT managers seeking a balance of out-of-the-box readiness and long-term scalability. The partially populated configuration reduces initial cost while preserving expansion headroom. Advanced data security features, including 256-bit drive encryption, two-factor authentication, and abnormal file activity detection, help protect against ransomware and unauthorized access.
Virtualization Ready
Certified for VMware and Hyper-V environments via iSCSI and NFS, enabling seamless integration into existing virtual infrastructure for primary storage or backup targets.
- iSCSI certification
- NFS certification
- Backup support
Cloud Integration & Performance
Supports hybrid cloud workflows with direct integration to Amazon S3, Wasabi, Dropbox, Box, Microsoft Azure, and OneDrive. Optional NVMe caching (up to 2TB) is available on the TS51220RH model for accelerated performance.
- Multiple cloud providers
- NVMe cache support
- Hybrid storage flexibility
Deployment / Use Cases
The TS51220RH1604 is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, remote offices, or departmental storage needs where reliability and future growth are key considerations. Its 2U rack footprint makes it ideal for standard server cabinets in data closets or data centers.
Common use cases include centralized file sharing and collaboration via SMB/CIFS, AFP, or NFS protocols; backup target for network backups using iSCSI or FTP; and primary storage for virtual machines in VMware or Hyper-V environments. The remote configuration capability allows secure management from any location, simplifying administration for distributed teams.
Centralized File Server
Serve as a primary file server for workgroups, supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux clients simultaneously through multi-protocol access.
Virtualization Storage
Provide shared storage for hypervisors, allowing VM migration and high availability features in virtualized environments.
Physical Profile
Designed for standard 19-inch server racks, this 2U unit measures 3.40" (86.36 mm) in height, 18.90" (480.06 mm) in width, and 29" (736.60 mm) in depth. Its compact form factor maximizes storage density while maintaining serviceability. The approximate weight is 55.37 lb (25.12 kg), which is typical for a partially populated 12-bay chassis. The rack-mountable design includes appropriate mounting hardware for secure installation in compliant server enclosures.
- Width
- 18.90" (480.06 mm)
- Depth
- 29" (736.60 mm)
- Height
- 3.40" (86.36 mm)
- Weight
- 55.37 lb (25115.41 g)
Highlights
- 12-bay 2U rack-mountable NAS/SAN with 4 drives pre-installed (16TB total)
- Annapurna Labs Alpine AL524 quad-core 2.04 GHz processor
- 16GB DDR4 SDRAM for smooth multi-user performance
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet support on four RJ-45 ports
- RAID support for 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD configurations
- VMware and Hyper-V certified for virtualization storage
- Cloud integration with Amazon S3, Azure, Dropbox, and others
- Enhanced security with 256-bit encryption, 2FA, and activity detection
- Remote configuration for management from anywhere
- 5-year limited warranty (with registration)
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Buffalo Americas, Inc |
| Manufacturer Part Number | TS51220RH1604 |
| Brand Name | Buffalo |
| Product Line | TeraStation |
| Product Series | 5020 |
| Product Model | TS51220RH |
| Product Name | TS51220RH SAN/NAS Storage System |
| Product Type | SAN/NAS Storage System |
| Storage | |
| Number of Hard Drives Supported | 12 |
| Number of Hard Drives Installed | 4 |
| Total Hard Drive Capacity Installed | 16 TB |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA/600 |
| Hard Drive Configuration | 4 x 4TB |
| Processor & Chipset | |
| Processor Manufacturer | Annapurna Labs |
| Processor Type | Alpine |
| Processor Model | AL524 |
| Processor Core | Quad-core (4 Core) |
| Processor Speed | 2.04 GHz |
| Memory | |
| Standard Memory | 16 GB |
| Memory Technology | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Network & Communication | |
| Ethernet Technology | 10 Gigabit Ethernet,Gigabit Ethernet |
| I/O Expansions | |
| Number of Total Expansion Bays | 12 |
| Controllers | |
| Controller Type | Serial ATA/600 |
| RAID Supported | Yes |
| RAID Levels | 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Drive Interface | Serial ATA/600 |
| Total Number of USB Ports | 4 |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
| Network (RJ-45) | Yes |
| Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports | 4 |
| Management & Protocols | |
| Protocols | CIFS/SMB,AFP,FTP,FTPS,SFTP,NFS,TCP/IP,iSCSI |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Height | 3.40" (86.36 mm) |
| Width | 18.90" (480.06 mm) |
| Depth | 29" (736.60 mm) |
| Form Factor | Rack-mountable |
| Weight (Approximate) | 55.37 lb (25115.41 g) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| TAA Compliant | Yes |
| Warranty | |
| Limited Warranty | 5 Year |
| Additional Warranty Information | Comes with standard 3-year warranty. TS51220RH features standard 5-year warranty when registered within 90 days of purchase. |
User Manual
FAQ
How much storage capacity is installed in this Buffalo TeraStation?
This TS51220RH1604 model comes with four 4TB hard drives pre-installed, providing 16TB of total raw storage capacity. The system supports up to 12 drives, so you can add eight more drives later to expand capacity as needed.
What RAID configurations does this NAS support?
The Buffalo TeraStation supports RAID levels 0 (striping), 1 (mirroring), 5 (striping with parity), 6 (dual parity), 10 (mirrored stripes), and JBOD (individual disks). This flexibility allows you to prioritize performance, redundancy, or capacity based on your specific storage requirements.
Can this storage system be used with virtualized environments like VMware?
Yes, the TS51220RH1604 is certified for VMware and Hyper-V virtualization platforms. It supports iSCSI and NFS protocols, making it suitable as shared storage for virtual machines, enabling features like vMotion or live migration, and serving as a backup target for virtual infrastructure.
What network connectivity options are available?
This unit includes four RJ-45 Ethernet ports that support both 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. This allows for high-speed data transfers, link aggregation for increased throughput or failover, and flexible network segmentation to optimize traffic flow for different services or clients.
What is the warranty coverage for this Buffalo TeraStation?
The product comes with a standard 3-year limited warranty. If you register the unit within 90 days of purchase, the warranty extends to 5 years. This extended coverage provides long-term peace of mind for business-critical storage deployments.
Is this NAS suitable for rack mounting in a server cabinet?
Absolutely. The TS51220RH1604 has a 2U form factor (3.4 inches tall) and is designed for standard 19-inch server racks. Its dimensions are 18.90" wide and 29" deep, making it compatible with most server enclosures. The rack-mountable design includes appropriate hardware for secure installation.
