QNAP 2-Port SFF-8088 SATA III Host Bus Adapter for QNAP NAS Arrays

Overview

The QNAP QXP-800ES-A1164 is a host bus adapter designed to expand storage capacity by connecting up to eight SATA III drives via two external SFF-8088 ports. It uses the ASMedia ASM1164 controller and a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface to deliver a total bandwidth of 32 Gb/s, allowing each drive to operate at its full 6 Gb/s speed without bottlenecks. This low-profile card fits well in compact desktops and rackmount servers, making it a versatile solution for professionals and IT administrators who need to increase storage without replacing existing hardware.

Key features

• PCIe 3.0 x4 interface provides high-speed data transfer up to 32 Gb/s for smooth and efficient drive performance
• Two external SFF-8088 ports enable connection of up to eight SATA III drives, ideal for expanding storage arrays
• ASMedia ASM1164 controller independently manages each drive to ensure stable and reliable operation
• Low-profile bracket design allows installation in systems with limited space, including dense rackmount servers
• Bus-powered operation eliminates the need for additional power cables or external power supplies, simplifying setup
• Compatible with QNAP QTS 4.4.2 and later, QuTS Hero, Windows 8 and newer, Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer, and Linux Kernel 3.10 or later without requiring extra drivers
• Perfect for attaching QNAP TL series JBOD enclosures, enabling quick and easy storage expansion

Key specs

• Controller: ASMedia ASM1164
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4
• Bandwidth: 32 Gb/s total
• Ports: 2 external SFF-8088
• Drive support: Up to 8 SATA III drives (6 Gb/s each)
• Form factor: Low-profile
• Power: Bus-powered via PCIe slot
• Operating system compatibility: QTS 4.4.2+, QuTS Hero, Windows 8+, Windows Server 2012 R2+, Linux Kernel 3.10+

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter connects to your system through a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, providing a fast and stable link to your drives. The two external SFF-8088 ports each support four SATA III drives, making it straightforward to attach compatible JBOD enclosures or chassis. Its broad OS support ensures seamless integration with QNAP NAS devices, Windows workstations, servers, and Linux systems without the need for additional drivers.

Installation and setup

Installation is simple and requires no extra power cables since the card draws power directly from the PCIe slot. Just insert the card into an available PCIe x4 or larger slot, secure it with screws, and connect your external storage enclosure. The low-profile design means it fits in compact desktop cases and rackmount servers with limited clearance, making it a practical upgrade for various environments.

Ideal uses and environments

This host bus adapter is well suited for creative professionals needing additional scratch disk space, IT administrators expanding backup targets, and home lab enthusiasts building larger storage pools. It supports virtualization projects on QNAP NAS, media libraries on workstations, and backup arrays on Linux servers, providing a reliable and efficient way to increase storage capacity without replacing existing hardware.