TerraMaster Launches D8 Hybrid DAS With Up To 152TB Capacity

You've probably heard of a NAS before, but have you ever heard of a DAS? NAS stands for Network Attached Storage, and it's a convenient way to have a central data storage device that anyone in the office can access for backing up their computer or accessing and working on shared files. However, what if you work on your own? Do you need a NAS? Not if you've got a DAS.

DAS stands for Direct Attached Storage. It looks like a NAS, but instead of using Ethernet to communicate over a network, a DAS plugs directly into your computer using a USB cable. TerraMaster , a storage technology brand, already makes NAS units, but its latest product is the D8 Hybrid 2 , a significant evolution of its popular D8 Hybrid 8-bay storage enclosure.

This latest version features a brand-new design philosophy; the D8 Hybrid 2 delivers improved performance along with a more stable, efficient, and refined user experience. This makes it a suitable way to expand local storage on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, as well as plug into a NAS system for extra storage.

Hybrid Storage Architecture

The D8 Hybrid 2 has a versatile hybrid architecture that combines four SATA HDD/SSD bays with four M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots in a single compact enclosure. The device supports high-capacity drives of up to 30TB per SATA bay and 8TB per M.2 SSD bay, enabling a maximum raw capacity of up to 152TB. This makes it a suitable choice for video editing, media libraries, backups, archival storage, and large-scale data expansion.

With the D8 Hybrid 2's ability to swallow four SATA HDDs/SSDs and four M.2 NVMe SSDs, users get high-speed active storage and massive-capacity archive storage. The long-term archives can be stored on the slower mechanical hard drives, while the four NVMe SSDs can be used for live or hot projects, such as the latest video you are working on or your latest music album.

Users can flexibly tier their data into "hot" and "cold" storage areas, providing the best of high-speed NVMe SSDs for smooth, real-time performance when video editing or running creative workflows. Meanwhile, the "cold" data can be stored on cheaper HDDs for reliable long-term retention. This hybrid arrangement balances storage efficiently, providing fast access and lower-cost archival storage in one device.

Up To 10Gbps

The D8 Hybrid 2 features a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface that supports data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. This means you can reach read speeds of up to 1,020MB/s with a single NVMe SSD and up to 1,016MB/s with four SATA SSDs. Meanwhile, write speeds max out at 980MB/s (NVMe) or 960MB/s across four SATA SSDs. In practice, a 5GB HD movie file can transfer in approximately 5 seconds, significantly boosting the speed of video editing, large-file transfers, backups, and multitasking.

TerraMaster's free TPC Backupper software simplifies backups for Windows PCs. Users can schedule folder or disk partition backups to the D8 Hybrid 2 or a TerraMaster NAS unit, complete with support for incremental and differential strategies. Mac users can use Apple's Time Machine feature to back up their Mac to the D8 Hybrid 2.

Installing HDDs in the unit takes seconds thanks to Push-Lock tool-free trays, which make it easy to quickly and securely insert drives. The M.2 SSDs can be installed in the four slots protected by a sliding cover secured with hand-tightened screws, taking about five seconds per drive to install.

Temperature Controlled Operation

The temperature of the DAS is controlled using an FDB low-noise fan that automatically adjusts its speed based on drive temperatures. Optimized internal airflow is designed to reduce temperatures and vibration, ensuring the unit runs quietly, even under full load. This is important, as a DAS must be placed close to your computer and cannot be hidden away like a NAS.

The D8 Hybrid 2 is also designed to work as an external DAS expansion enclosure for TerraMaster NAS units, which are fully compatible with the company's TOS 5 and TOS 6 systems. Simply connect the D8 Hybrid 2 via USB to expand storage space on your NAS and create new volumes using the four HDDs and four M.2 SSDs. It allows you to leverage full TerraMaster NAS features, such as storage pools, various RAID modes, and snapshots. It also supports expansion on Windows Server, Linux, Proxmox, TrueNAS, Unraid, and other platforms.

TerraMaster Power Management is a proprietary technology for USB DAS devices designed to optimize power efficiency while enhancing operational safety and delivering faster data response. A physical switch allows toggling between Power Save Mode for maximum efficiency and Active Mode for faster wake-up times and responsiveness.

Pricing and Availability:

The TerraMaster D8 Hybrid 2 DAS is available now from the TerraMaster official store and authorized channels, priced at $269.

Tech Specs:

• Disk Slots: x 4.

• Compatible Disk Types: 3.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA SSD.

• M.2 Slots: x 4.

• Compatible Disk Types: PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 SSD.

• File Systems: NTFS, APFS, Mac OS Extended, FAT32, EXT4, exFAT.

• Maximum Internal Raw Capacity: 152TB (30TB HDD x 4 + 8TB M.2 drive x 4).

• RAIDs Supported: Single Disk.

• HDD Sleep: Yes.

• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10Gbps).

• USB Host Interface: Yes.

• Power: 12V DC.

• Reading Speed (max.): 560MB/s (SSD x 1) / 1016MB/s (SSD x 4).

• Reading Speed (max.): 1020MB/s (M.2 SSD x 1).

• Writing Speed (max.): 520MB/s (SSD x 1) / 960MB/s (SSD x 4).

• Writing Speed (max.): 980MB/s (M.2 SSD x 1).

• Dimensions (HxWxD): 222 x 179 x 154mm.

• Weight: 1.9kg.

• System Fan: 120 x 120 x 25mm (1 PCS).

• Fan Mode: Smart.

• Noise Level: 21.0 dB(A).

• Power Supply: 90W.

• AC Input Voltage: 100V to 240V AC.

• Current Frequency: 50/60Hz, Single Phase.

• Power Consumption: M.2 NVMe State: 3.2W (read/write), 0.2W (hibernation) using Samsung 990 Pro 4TB M.2 SSD / HDD State: 40.8W (read/write), 9.8W (hibernation) using 4 x Seagate 22TB ST22000NM001E HDDs.

• Supported OS: Windows / macOS / Linux .

• Warranty: 2 years.

• Package Contents: Host unit, Power cord, 0.8m USB Cable C-to-C (10Gb), Quick Installation Guide, Power adapter, Screws.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com