I’ve been a long-time fan of the UniFi ecosystem, so when I heard about Ubiquiti releasing the UniFi UNAS Pro—a two-unit rackmount NAS—my interest immediately skyrocketed. I want to take you on a personal journey through its hardware, performance, and the crucial features that matter most if you’re considering this device as your go-to network-attached storage.

In this post, I’ll also dive into how it compares to other NAS solutions, explore common limitations, and discuss some security essentials. Let’s get started right away and see if this new entry in the rackmount storage market lives up to its promises.

Understanding the Basics of the UniFi UNAS Pro

The UniFi UNAS Pro marks Ubiquiti’s debut into a competitive sector traditionally dominated by well-known NAS hardware brands. Priced at around $499, it’s a two-unit rackmount device that integrates neatly into the UniFi ecosystem, bringing familiar interfaces, intuitive user management, and a seamless dashboard.

It stands out because it’s straightforward to set up and can be managed either through a web browser or even with phone-based tools via Bluetooth. This simplicity makes it appealing to anyone who wants solid performance without facing a steep learning curve.

Interestingly, it echoes a familiar design: it’s much like the uNVR Pro (Ubiquiti’s network video recorder) but equipped with double the RAM, packing 8 GB instead of 4 GB. The UniFi UNAS Pro feels like a middle ground between a truly advanced, all-in-one NAS powerhouse and a simpler, more streamlined device meant for basic file sharing, RAID management, and straightforward backups.

It’s worth asking, “What does Ubiquiti bring to the table, and is it enough to justify trying out their new NAS?” By walking through the hardware, setup process, RAID performance, and day-to-day usage, I’ll help you decide if this is a solid choice for your network-attached storage needs.

Hardware Highlights and Design

Open housing unit showcasing internal components like circuit boards and fans, typical in network storage devices.
Internal layout of a NAS device highlighting key components

The UniFi UNAS Pro comes in a sleek 2U rackmount form factor, housing seven bays for both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives. This flexibility is a big plus if you want a mix of SSDs for speed and HDDs for bulk storage. Inside, it runs a quad-core Cortex A57 CPU clocked at 1.7 GHz, which Ubiquiti already uses in other products. It’s not a top-tier processor, but it’s reliable enough to handle most basic NAS tasks without breaking a sweat.

Also bundled in is 8 GB of RAM. That may not sound huge in today’s world of memory-hungry tasks, but it’s fairly generous for a straightforward file server—especially if you consider many competing entry-level NAS models. Power-wise, it features a standard power port along with a UniFi USB connector that can provide some level of redundant power if you have compatible peripherals.

There’s also a small touchscreen on the front. You won’t rely on it for deep configuration, but it’s convenient for showing status info like IP addresses or for performing quick reboots and shutdowns.

The NAS includes a 1 Gigabit RJ45 port and a 10 Gigabit SFP+ port. Many users wish it had a 10 Gigabit RJ45 for greater mainstream compatibility, but SFP+ is more power efficient and often cost-effective, especially for enterprise setups. Depending on your drives and environment, SFP+ might just be enough to keep your throughput snappy.

Initial Setup and Configuration

Close-up of the UniFi UNAS Pro NAS screen displaying the version information (4.1.7) and an “Up to Date” status.
The UniFi UNAS Pro features

I found the initial configuration refreshingly easy. You can name your NAS and use the web or phone-based setup via Bluetooth. After that, you’ll see all your drives and pick your RAID level (RAID 10, RAID 5, or other configurations). The device automatically synchronizes your chosen RAID array, and even though this may take a while, you can still access the system while it’s rebuilding. The interface looks and feels like a typical UniFi product: streamlined and minimal, so you won’t waste time wading through complicated settings.

If you’re new to NAS technology, this user-friendly approach is fantastic. It’s also beneficial if you’re pressed for time or just don’t want to tinker with a million different options. Of course, if you’re an advanced enthusiast who likes to tailor every aspect, the simplified interface might seem limiting. But for me, the integrated approach is a huge draw, especially in an environment where UniFi gear runs the show.

Practical RAID Setup Tips

When I installed four drives—each eight terabytes—I personally opted for RAID 10. It offers a solid balance of redundancy and speed. Still, you could choose different levels based on your capacity and redundancy preferences. Remember that you can even set aside a hot spare for peace of mind, so if one drive goes down, the rebuild process can kick off instantly with the spare drive already in place.

While setting up these RAID configurations, it’s helpful to watch your actual disk usage. If you plan to store large media libraries or run multiple user accounts, ensure you have enough overhead, as some RAID setups lose a chunk of space in exchange for data protection.

Day-to-Day Management: Users and Access

A close-up view of a UniFi UNAS Pro server with usage statistics displayed, featuring highlights of networking and data storage capabilities.
Detailed display of UniFi UNAS Pro

Once you’ve got everything physically installed, it’s time to handle user and file management. You’ll see standard features like local user accounts, UI accounts, or even hooking into an identity endpoint to tie Active Directory, Google LDAP, Microsoft Entra ID, and more.

I like having this versatility because it gives you the freedom to set up the NAS in a business or home environment, all without messing around with extra licensing fees or complicated scripts.

You can connect via SMB or just use the web interface to browse and share files. For typical Windows or macOS users, SMB is incredibly straightforward. It’s also good to know that Ubiquiti has teased an upcoming update that will allow auto-mounting the NAS on supported devices. That means fewer manual steps, which is always a win.

Share links are another highlight. You can right-click any file, set share link permissions—like an expiration date or a view limit—and send that link off. Maybe you only want them to see the file twice before it auto-locks? You can do that. It’s a small detail but can be priceless for secure file sharing.

Snapshots and Backups

UniFi UNAS Pro interface showing SSD slots, storage capacity, and storage protection options, including “Basic Protection” and “Higher Protection.”
UniFi UNAS Pro storage setup interface with flexible RAID protection

Managing snapshots on the UniFi UNAS Pro is refreshingly simple. Just schedule them at your preferred intervals to build up restore points. You also get Time Machine support for macOS, which is a great benefit if you’re in a mixed environment.

Meanwhile, for Windows folks, you might rely on third-party backup solutions or direct SMB copies. Also, it’s nice that you can create multiple drives, assign storage limits, and fine-tune user access with minimal hassle.

Huntress Security Overview

Dashboard of a security management software showing analyzed events, incidents, and active trials with charts and data insights.
A comprehensive dashboard for managing incidents

I believe a well-rounded NAS setup should always include some level of cybersecurity monitoring. This is where services like Huntress come in. Huntress monitors your systems around the clock, watching for suspicious credential theft, session hijacking, and other potential intrusions. It’s not limited to just your NAS; it can look at your broader infrastructure and help shield your business from dangerous email compromises and more.

You can start with a free trial of Huntress’s Managed ITDR (Incident Detection and Response) to see how it fits in your environment. The real win here is peace of mind: if anything odd happens, a team of trained eyes is ready to respond. While the UniFi UNAS Pro is robust in many ways, third-party security adds a proactive layer that can detect anomalies before they turn into crises.

Deeper Look at RAID Management

Under the hood, the system leverages Linux-based RAID tooling (MDADM), similarly to the UNVR Pro. Layered on top is Btrfs (ButterFS) for snapshot handling. This is a tried-and-true approach: the RAID array is built with MDADM, and Btrfs handles the snapshot functionalities above that array. If you’re comfortable with Linux, you can SSH into the box and check the RAID status yourself.

For instance, you might run a command like this to see the current RAID state:

sudo mdadm --detail /dev/md3

That’s just an example, but it gives you a taste of how you can poke around under the hood. This is super useful if you want to ensure everything is working properly or you need a quick status check when a drive fails. Advanced users will appreciate this direct control, even if Ubiquiti’s official interface aims to keep it simple.

Performance Testing: Speed in Real-World Terms

A close-up view of network cables connected to UniFi UNAS Pro
Detailed view of Ethernet connections in UniFi UNAS Pro

I tested read/write performance on a Windows 11 PC with a 10 Gigabit network card and an NVMe drive. The results hovered around 421 MB/s, or roughly 3.7 Gigabits per second, using a four-drive RAID 10 array.

While that’s below the theoretical 10 Gigabit maximum, it’s understandable because mechanical drives cap out well before saturating the entire 10 Gig link. If you used SSDs or a caching mechanism, you might see higher speeds, especially if you’re transferring smaller files that fit in the cache.

The main takeaway is that, for typical tasks like backing up business documents or streaming media files in a small-to-midsize environment, performance is solid. For large-scale video editing teams that rely on truly maxing out 10 Gig connections, you may need a system that supports advanced caching or that can handle more robust hardware expansions.

Potential Bottlenecks and Caching

One thing I noticed is that the UniFi UNAS Pro does not have a built-in high-speed caching option—no M.2 NVMe slots, for instance—to compensate for mechanical drive limitations. If you’re transferring very large files or performing heavy read/write loads, your mechanical drives are a hard bottleneck. If Ubiquiti decides to add caching or more advanced features in future generations, it would be a huge plus for many content creators and professionals.

Product page of the UniFi UNAS Pro, showing its price ($499) and key features such as 7 drive bays, RAID storage, and 10 Gbps support.
UniFi UNAS Pro offers advanced storage capabilities with RAID support

Testing RAID Redundancy

I deliberately yanked a drive out during operation to simulate a failure. As expected, the RAID went into a degraded state, but the system stayed fully functional. Alerts popped up right on the dashboard, reminding me I had to replace that missing disk.

Once I swapped a new drive in, the UniFi UNAS Pro automatically started the rebuild process. It’s a relief that you can still access files during that rebuild, and the system does a good job of alerting you to potential data risks.

The convenience factor is impressive, especially when you factor in how well it integrates with other UniFi gear. You get the same style of alerts and notifications you’d see for their access points, switches, or cameras, but now for your NAS as well. This sense of centralization is one of Ubiquiti’s biggest selling points.

Backup and Encryption Options

You can back up the UniFi UNAS Pro to another UniFi UNAS Pro, an SMB share, or Google Drive. It’s a straightforward “pick your data, pick your target” approach. Scheduling can be daily, weekly, or at whichever interval suits your environment. On the downside, there isn’t an integrated versioning feature. Essentially, it copies your files to the backup, but you won’t have multiple historical restore points beyond what your chosen destination might offer.

Regarding encryption, the UniFi UNAS Pro encrypts user drives rather than the entire physical array. I’ve heard different theories about whether that’s for performance reasons, but I do wish full disk encryption was an option.

If robust data security is vital, you’ll want to weigh whether this user-drive encryption suffices. That said, if you’re primarily storing non-critical data or prefer third-party encryption solutions, you can still keep everything locked down before it even hits the NAS.

App Ecosystem and Missing Features

Most consumer and prosumer NAS devices these days come with a broad app store—supporting Docker containers, virtual machines, or collaboration apps like Google Docs. The UniFi UNAS Pro is currently more of a pure NAS that focuses on file sharing, snapshot management, and user permissions. It doesn’t really have the modular app options seen on Synology or QNAP. This might be perfect for folks wanting a “set it and forget it” approach, but a disappointment if you envisioned running media servers or other self-hosted services directly on the NAS.

Additionally, advanced storage tools like iSCSI or deeper NFS feature sets can be missing or limited compared to what you might see in older, more mature NAS platforms. Some references point out that NFS support is included but not as fleshed out as one might expect, especially if you want complex ACLs or advanced NFS usage. If you’re used to the full Swiss army knife of NAS functionality, proceed with caution.

A screenshot of UniFi UNAS Proi Drive push notifications settings with various storage-related alerts and options for email notifications.
Configure your UniFi UNAS Pro Drive push notifications for storage alerts.
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This is not necessarily a bad device—it’s just that Ubiquiti has kept it minimalistic for now.

Who Is This NAS Really For?

Everything about Ubiquiti’s UniFi UNAS Pro suggests it’s aimed at users who already love the UniFi ecosystem or at least want something that’s easy to roll out in a business environment without the complexity of traditional NAS solutions. If you’re comfortable with the brand, appreciate a single-pane-of-glass approach to managing your network, and don’t care about advanced expansions, you’ll probably enjoy this device. You can set it up quickly, create shares for your coworkers, and have it neatly integrated with UniFi Cloud for remote management and share-link features.

On the other hand, if you’re a power user or a tinkerer who loves installing Docker containers, launching virtual machines, or tweaking advanced iSCSI-based setups, you might feel boxed in. This is more reminiscent of a streamlined file-sharing hub—closer to a Google Drive approach—than a Swiss-army-knife solution. For personal home labs that revolve around flexibility and customization, the UniFi UNAS Pro could feel limited.

My Final Take

After spending a good chunk of time testing the UniFi UNAS Pro, I can say it’s a fitting solution if you align well with Ubiquiti’s philosophy: minimal clutter, consistent UI, and easy integration with the rest of the UniFi ecosystem. I love how I can quickly hop between my access points, switches, cameras, and now a NAS, all in a familiar interface. The $499 price tag is also appealing, given that many higher-end NAS devices start climbing toward four figures once you add in expansions.

Still, I see room for growth. I would like to see more advanced features—whether it’s app-based expansions, improved caching solutions, or better admin controls for rummaging through user files. I suspect Ubiquiti will continue iterating on this.

A second or third generation could push it into direct competition with established NAS vendors. Right now, though, it’s best suited for small to medium businesses and individuals who want straightforward network-attached storage without fussing over every detail.

A modern server UniFi UNAS Prok containing various switches and routers on a mobile cart, highlighting networking equipment setup.
UniFi UNAS Pro
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If you already rely on UniFi gear, this device might just feel like a natural extension of your existing setup.

Conclusion

The UniFi UNAS Pro is a distinctive product that merges the familiar UniFi style with decent NAS capabilities. It won’t compete with top-tier devices featuring multiple 10 Gig RJ45 ports or robust app ecosystems, but it nails the essentials for secure file management and backup.

It’s also easy to operate, integrates seamlessly with other UniFi devices, and provides a straightforward entry point for those venturing into the world of rackmount storage. For me, it’s a competent, no-frills solution—especially if you already run a fleet of UniFi hardware.

In the end, it depends on what you need. If you want simplicity, direct management, and a unified environment, the UniFi UNAS Pro could be your perfect match. If you require heavy customization or want to transform your NAS into a full-blown virtualization platform, you might look elsewhere.

Either way, I’m excited to see how Ubiquiti continues to innovate in this space. The UniFi UNAS Pro is a promising start, and with future updates, it could solidify a strong foothold in the network-attached storage world.

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Always keep an eye on the official Ubiquiti roadmap for potential app expansions and future enhancements that may fill in some of the missing gaps.

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