Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ NAS Review: A High-Security Storage Solution for Power Users and Small Businesses

In the rapidly evolving landscape of network-attached storage (NAS), the market is often divided between user-friendly consumer devices and complex enterprise servers. The Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ (AS6702T v2) arrives as a compelling bridge between these two worlds, offering a hardware-rich experience that prioritizes security and performance over simple "plug-and-play" accessibility. After several weeks of testing, it is clear that while this unit may present a steep learning curve for those new to the world of homelabbing, it offers a level of granular control and robust protection that enthusiasts and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) will find invaluable.

The Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is a two-bay NAS that punches well above its weight class, thanks to a combination of high-speed networking, extensive NVMe expansion options, and a security-first operating system. However, its premium price tag and professional-grade interface suggest that it is a tool designed for a specific type of user—one who values data integrity and system throughput over a simplified setup process.

Price and Availability

The Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ NAS enters the market with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at approximately $517. This positioning places it at the higher end of the two-bay NAS spectrum, competing directly with flagship models from brands like Synology and QNAP. It is currently available through major technology retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo Video, Newegg, and Micro Center.

While the $500+ entry point may seem high for a two-bay system, the value proposition lies in the internal architecture. Unlike many entry-level units, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is sold as a diskless system, allowing users to select their own SATA hard drives and M.2 NVMe SSDs to meet their specific storage and caching needs.

Solid Hardware and the Toolless Design Debate

At first glance, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is a sturdy piece of kit. It features a compact, professional aesthetic that fits easily onto a desk or into a server rack shelf. However, the physical design choices present a curious contradiction. For a device retailing for over $500, there is a certain expectation of modern convenience, particularly regarding drive installation.

One of the most notable critiques of the unit is the lack of toolless drive bays for 3.5-inch hard drives. In an era where competitors like Synology, Ugreen, and TerraMaster have standardized toolless latches that allow for drive swaps in seconds, Asustor still requires the use of a screwdriver to secure 3.5-inch HDDs into their trays. While this is expected for 2.5-inch SSDs, the requirement for tools on standard hard drives feels like a missed opportunity for a device aiming for a premium user experience in 2026.

Despite this minor inconvenience in the initial setup, the rest of the hardware design is impressively accessible. By removing just three screws at the rear of the unit, the outer shell slides off to reveal the internal motherboard. This design provides easy access to the four M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe slots, which can be used for either high-speed storage volumes or SSD caching to accelerate read/write performance.

Curiously, while the main drive bays require a screwdriver, the internal NVMe slots are designed for toolless installation. This makes it remarkably easy to upgrade the system’s cache or add a dedicated high-speed pool for virtual machines. Additionally, the unit features a SO-DIMM slot that allows the factory-installed 4GB of DDR4-2933 RAM to be expanded up to 16GB, a necessary upgrade for users planning to run multiple Docker containers or heavy enterprise applications.

ADM Gives You Significant Control and a Lot to Manage

The heart of the Asustor experience is the ASUSTOR Data Master (ADM) operating system. For those coming from a background in Linux systems administration or professional networking, ADM is a breath of fresh air. It offers a level of transparency and control that is often obscured in more consumer-oriented "walled garden" operating systems.

However, this level of control comes with increased complexity. ADM is an enterprise-ready operating system that happens to be available to consumers, rather than a consumer OS trying to act like a business tool. From the moment the setup process begins, the system asks detailed questions regarding multi-user configurations and network protocols. This is not a "set it and forget it" device; it is a platform that demands an understanding of how network storage functions.

The standout feature of ADM is its focus on security through the ADM Defender suite. In an age where NAS devices are frequent targets for ransomware and brute-force attacks, Asustor has implemented a multi-layered defense strategy. ADM Defender acts as a comprehensive security platform, integrating a robust firewall with intelligent protection rules.

During testing, the security measures proved to be almost too effective, as the system’s "Intelligent Protection" began locking out the administrator during SSH attempts that didn’t meet its strict security criteria. This is managed through a "Risk Detection Greylist," which proactively blocks IP addresses identified as harmful in global databases. This means the NAS is protected from known malicious actors before they even attempt a first login. Users can manage these protections through a trusted list, allowing for specific IP ranges to bypass the more aggressive blocking mechanisms. This level of proactive security is rarely seen in consumer-grade hardware and highlights Asustor’s commitment to the "Lockerstor" branding.

Performance: Older Hardware That Still Packs a Punch

Under the hood, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is powered by the Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor. While this CPU debuted in 2021, it remains a stalwart in the NAS world for a very good reason: its integrated graphics capabilities and power efficiency.

In standard file transfer tests, the N5105, paired with the dual 5GbE RJ45 ports, performed flawlessly. Even without an NVMe cache enabled, the system was able to fully saturate both gigabit and 2.5G network pipes using standard SATA hard drives. The inclusion of 5GbE networking is a significant highlight, providing double the theoretical bandwidth of the 2.5GbE ports found on many modern rivals. This makes the unit particularly well-suited for creative professionals who need to edit high-bitrate video directly off the server.

The true strength of the Intel N5105, however, was revealed during multimedia stress testing. Despite its age, the processor features Intel QuickSync technology, which is a game-changer for media servers like Plex. In a series of transcoding benchmarks, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ demonstrated remarkable efficiency:

• 4K to 1080p: The system handled up to four simultaneous transcodes of a 65Mb/s HEVC movie down to 1080p 8Mb/s.
• 4K to 720p: It supported five simultaneous streams when dropping the resolution further to 720p 4Mb/s.
• 1080p to 480p: Most impressively, the unit managed 14 simultaneous transcodes from 1080p 9Mb/s to 480p 1.5Mb/s.

These results were achieved using the Plex Web client on Chrome, with the hardware maintaining stability throughout the test. For a small office looking to host training videos or a household with a massive media library, these performance figures prove that the N5105 remains a highly capable heart for a modern NAS. Asustor’s marketing of the system as a multi-stream transcoding and livestreaming hub is well-supported by these real-world results.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+?

The Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is a specialized tool that excels in specific environments. It is not the simplest NAS on the market, nor is it the cheapest, but it is one of the most capable in its size class.

For the average consumer who simply wants a place to dump their iPhone photos or back up a single laptop, this NAS is likely overkill. The complexity of the ADM interface and the manual nature of the drive installation may prove frustrating for those looking for a "home appliance" experience. Such users might find better value in the streamlined ecosystems of Synology or the simplified hardware of Ugreen.

However, for the "prosumer," the homelab enthusiast, or the small business owner, the Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ is an excellent investment. The combination of four NVMe slots, dual 5GbE networking, and an enterprise-grade security suite provides a level of future-proofing and data protection that is hard to beat at this price point. It offers the hardware headroom to grow with your needs—whether that means adding more RAM for virtualization or utilizing the HDMI 2.0b port for direct media playback.

In a market often dominated by ease-of-use, Asustor has doubled down on power and protection. The Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ might require you to keep a screwdriver handy and spend a bit more time in the settings menus, but for those who prioritize performance and security above all else, it is a trade-off well worth making.