Overview

The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 2 AS6602T is a 2-bay desktop NAS kit designed for small businesses, power users, and home media enthusiasts. At its core sits an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor (burst up to 2.70 GHz) paired with 4GB of DDR4 RAM, expandable up to 8GB. What sets this model apart is its dual 2.5GbE ports, offering significantly faster network throughput than typical 1GbE NAS units. Storage-wise, the AS6602T supports up to two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drives, with a maximum raw capacity of 36TB (18TB × 2). It also includes two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching, which can dramatically improve random read/write performance when using HDDs. An HDMI 2.0a output enables direct 4K HDR video playback, making it a capable media server out of the box.

Connectivity & Compatibility

Network: Dual 2.5GbE RJ-45 ports with link aggregation support, providing up to 5 Gbps combined bandwidth. USB: One USB 3.2 Gen 1 port on the front panel and two on the rear, suitable for external drives or UPS devices. Drive Bays: Two hot-swappable trays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDDs/SSDs. M.2 Slots: Two M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 2 x2 slots for cache acceleration only (not for storage volumes). Video Output: HDMI 2.0a supporting 4K at 60 Hz with hardware decoding for HEVC, VP9, and H.264. OS Compatibility: Runs ASUSTOR ADM (Data Master); accessible from Windows, macOS, and Linux clients.

Product Info

The ASUSTOR Lockerstor 2 AS6602T launched in July 2020 and sits in the mid-to-high range of the 2-bay NAS market. Its key differentiators are the dual 2.5GbE ports and M.2 NVMe caching, features typically found in more expensive models. The chassis is constructed from aluminum for better heat dissipation and durability. It comes with a 3-year warranty. The package includes the NAS unit, a power adapter, a Cat.5e Ethernet cable, and a quick installation guide. Drives are not included — you'll need to purchase SATA HDDs or SSDs separately.

Best Use Cases

Small office / SOHO file server: The dual 2.5GbE ports allow multiple users to access files simultaneously without bottlenecking. Ideal for centralized backup, document sharing, and collaboration. Not suitable for large enterprises with hundreds of concurrent users — consider a 4-bay or rackmount model instead. 4K media server: With HDMI 2.0a output and hardware transcoding support, the AS6602T works well with Plex or Emby for streaming 4K HDR content to TVs and devices. The J4125's iGPU handles HEVC and VP9 decoding efficiently. However, if you need to transcode multiple 4K streams simultaneously, a more powerful CPU is recommended. * Performance-conscious home user: The M.2 NVMe cache significantly accelerates HDD-based storage, making everyday file operations feel snappier. RAID 1 provides data redundancy. Note that the M.2 slots are cache-only and cannot be used as primary storage volumes.

Things to Consider

This is a diskless NAS — you must purchase SATA drives separately. Budget for at least two drives if you want RAID 1 protection. RAM is limited to 8 GB maximum (DDR4 SO-DIMM). Check ASUSTOR's compatibility list before upgrading. The M.2 slots run at PCIe Gen 2 x2, so even a Gen 4 NVMe SSD will be bandwidth-limited. This is sufficient for caching but not for direct storage. To fully utilize 2.5GbE, your network switch and client devices must also support 2.5GbE. The NAS works fine on a 1GbE network, but the extra bandwidth will go unused. ## FAQ
Q: What is the maximum drive capacity supported? A: The AS6602T supports up to 18TB per drive, giving a maximum raw capacity of 36TB across two bays. Both 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs are compatible. Q: Can I use the M.2 slots for storage instead of cache? A: No, the M.2 slots are designed exclusively for NVMe SSD caching. They cannot be configured as storage volumes in ADM. For primary storage, use the SATA drive bays. Q: Is this NAS suitable for Plex transcoding? A: Yes, the Intel Celeron J4125 supports hardware-accelerated transcoding for H.264, HEVC, and VP9. It can handle a single 4K transcode stream reasonably well, but multiple simultaneous 4K transcodes may cause buffering. For heavy transcoding workloads, consider a model with a more powerful CPU.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: ASUSTOR
  • Seller: New Oriental Technology
  • Fulfilled by: New Oriental Technology
  • ASIN: B089WKMV95
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.