Description
The Synology E10M20-T1 is a strategic hardware upgrade for professional environments that demand high-speed data throughput and low-latency file access. This multi-functional adapter utilizes a single PCIe 3.0 x8 slot to provide a 10Gbps Ethernet port alongside two M.2 2280/22110 NVMe slots. By consolidating these features onto one card, it effectively doubles the utility of a single expansion interface, making it an essential component for optimizing Synology NAS systems without sacrificing internal storage capacity.
This product is for:
- Creative professionals handling 4K/8K video production who require 10Gbps bandwidth for real-time, multi-stream timeline editing.
- IT administrators seeking to improve virtualization performance by offloading random I/O tasks to a dedicated SSD cache.
- Small to medium businesses needing to upgrade legacy network infrastructure to Multi-Gigabit speeds (2.5G/5G/10G) using existing copper cabling.
- Database managers requiring high-speed indexing and reduced latency for high-concurrency user environments.
- Synology power users who want to maximize drive bay availability by moving the SSD cache from the front-loading bays to a dedicated PCIe card.
Detailed specifications:
- Host Bus Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 with support for both low-profile and full-height form factors.
- Storage Interface: Dual M.2 slots supporting 2280 and 22110 NVMe SSDs (M-key).
- Network Standards: IEEE 802.3an (10Gbps), 802.3bz (2.5Gbps/5Gbps), 802.3ab (1Gbps), and 802.3u (100Mbps).
- Data Transfer Features: Supports 9 KB Jumbo Frames and TCP/UDP/IP Checksum Offloading for reduced CPU overhead.
- Physical Dimensions: 71.75 mm x 200.05 mm x 17.70 mm; operating temperature range of 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).
Integrating the E10M20-T1 into a compatible Synology NAS significantly transforms system responsiveness. During heavy workloads, the dual NVMe SSDs function as a high-speed read/write cache, which drastically reduces the latency associated with traditional mechanical hard drives. The 10GbE port ensures that this internal speed boost is fully utilized at the workstation level, providing a seamless bridge between the server's storage pool and the client's network interface. Installation is straightforward, with the card being recognized immediately by DSM 6.2.3 or later, allowing for rapid deployment in production environments.
Unlike standalone 10GbE NICs or dedicated M.2 adapter cards, the E10M20-T1 addresses the common "slot scarcity" issue found in desktop and 2U rackmount NAS units. While a standard network card only improves bandwidth and a basic M.2 card only improves IOPS, this combo card addresses both bottlenecks simultaneously. Compared to using internal SATA SSDs for caching, this PCIe-based NVMe solution offers significantly higher throughput and leaves all primary drive bays available for high-capacity HDDs, resulting in a more scalable and cost-effective storage architecture.
Q&A:
- Does the E10M20-T1 support SATA-based M.2 SSDs? No, the card is specifically designed for NVMe M.2 SSDs to ensure the high-speed performance required for effective caching.
- Can the M.2 slots be used to create a storage volume? On most compatible Synology models, these slots are reserved for SSD cache, though specific DSM versions and hardware models may support storage pool creation.
- What type of cabling is required for the 10GbE connection? For 10Gbps speeds, Cat6a or higher Ethernet cabling is recommended for distances up to 100 meters.
- Is this card compatible with non-Synology hardware? The E10M20-T1 is engineered and validated specifically for the Synology NAS models listed in the official compatibility matrix.
- Does the package include mounting hardware? Yes, the card comes with both low-profile and full-height brackets to ensure compatibility with various NAS chassis designs.
