TerraMaster F4-424 Pro Review: TOS 7, 2.5GbE, and Docker

Albert BarnosellEditor and publisher of Tecnoyfoto

Updated August 26, 2026.

The F4-424 Pro is a four-bay x86 NAS with an Intel Core i3-N305, 32 GB of DDR5, dual 2.5GbE, and two NVMe slots. This update assesses it under TOS 7 and separates useful performance from marketing numbers.

Hardware and intended users

The i3-N305 combines eight efficient cores, Intel graphics, and video acceleration. Thirty-two gigabytes of memory provides room for Docker, databases, and concurrent services, although there is one SODIMM slot and 32 GB is the official maximum.

It targets power users, creators, and small businesses that need more than file sharing. A simpler NAS may feel identical in an office that only uses SMB.

Four hot-swappable SATA bays.
Two PCIe 3.0 x1 M.2 NVMe slots.
Dual 2.5GbE with link aggregation.
HDMI 2.0b, which should not be mistaken for a desktop experience.

Network performance

A 2.5GbE link can deliver roughly 280 MB/s under favorable conditions. Bonding both ports increases aggregate bandwidth for multiple clients, but one transfer does not automatically become 5 Gbps; the switch, protocol, and session distribution matter.

For video editing, pair the NAS with Cat 5e or better cabling, a 2.5GbE switch, and storage that can sustain the workload. HDD RAID can handle compressed media, while SSD or NVMe helps with high-bitrate projects and small files.

TOS 7 and security

TOS 7 introduces a redesigned interface, OTP, HyperLock, and management improvements. Before moving from TOS 6, read the exact release notes, back up data, and document apps and containers.

HyperLock and snapshots reduce damage from unwanted changes, but neither replaces an immutable off-box copy. Apply least privilege, MFA, certificates, and VPN access; do not expose TOS or Docker Manager directly to the internet.

Docker and Home Assistant

Docker Manager is a meaningful advantage of the x86 platform. Use Compose files, persistent volumes, isolated networks, and configuration backups. Avoid privileged containers unless you understand their access.

Home Assistant Container runs well, but it does not include Supervisor or managed add-ons. USB Zigbee or Z-Wave devices need explicit mapping, and a NAS restart will interrupt both storage and automations.

A powerful NAS can host Home Assistant, but separating critical services reduces the failure domain.

NVMe: cache or storage

TOS can use the two slots as cache or storage where supported. Cache is workload-dependent: repeated random access and small files benefit more than a single sequential copy already limited by the network.

Check compatibility and cooling. Hot NVMe drives throttle, so monitor SMART data and maintain free space. Do not enable write-back caching without understanding power-loss behavior.

RAID and backup design

TRAID simplifies expansion, RAID 5 maximizes usable capacity with one parity drive, and RAID 6 adds protection against a second failure during rebuild. Businesses should define RPO and RTO instead of choosing solely by capacity.

Keep local snapshots, a replica to another destination, and an offline or cloud copy. Test file restoration separately from container and database recovery.

Plex, virtualization, and power

Intel graphics can transcode H.264 and H.265, but Plex Pass, drivers, subtitles, and media formats affect results. Test actual clients. The CPU is capable of labs and services, yet TOS is not an enterprise hypervisor.

Power draw depends heavily on drives and workload. Use disk hibernation only when it does not conflict with scheduled jobs; frequent spin-ups also add delay and wear.

Verdict

The F4-424 Pro is a balanced platform for fast storage and x86 services. Its value comes from 2.5GbE, Docker, and generous memory; basic home backup users will find it excessive.