QNAP ES1686DC-R2-2142IT-128G 16-Bay Dual Controller Enterprise ZFS NAS, 2.5/3.5 in. SAS 12G/6G, Xeon D-2142IT 1.9GHz CPU, 128GB RAM

16-Bay Dual Controller Enterprise ZFS NAS, 2.5/3.5 in. SAS 12G/6G, Xeon D-2142IT 1.9GHz CPU, 128GB RAM

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QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G 16-Bay Dual-Controller Enterprise ZFS NAS

The QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G is a high-availability 16-bay Enterprise ZFS NAS with dual active-active controllers, designed for mission-critical virtualisation, database, file storage and business applications where storage availability is essential. Powered by an Intel Xeon D-2142IT 8-core processor and 64GB DDR4 ECC memory in each controller, the ES1686dc R2 combines 16 hot-swappable 12Gb/s SAS drive bays, eight integrated 10GbE SFP+ interfaces, redundant power and QNAP's ZFS-based QES operating system to deliver resilient enterprise storage with advanced snapshots, SnapSync replication, inline deduplication and compression.

Dual Active-Active Controllers for High Availability

The ES1686dc R2 uses a dual active-active controller architecture, helping eliminate the storage controller as a single point of failure.

Both controllers are operational, and the architecture supports failover and failback if a controller becomes unavailable.

Each controller has its own:

  • Intel Xeon D processor
  • ECC system memory
  • Network connectivity
  • PCIe expansion
  • Cache-to-Flash protection
  • Management connectivity

Combined with redundant power supplies and dual-path SAS architecture, this provides the high availability required for business-critical storage environments.

Dual Intel Xeon D-2142IT 8-Core Processors

Each controller is powered by an Intel Xeon D-2142IT 8-core/16-thread processor operating at 1.90GHz with burst speeds up to 3.0GHz.

The dual-controller system therefore incorporates two independent enterprise-class Intel Xeon D processors.

Intel AES-NI hardware-accelerated encryption is also supported, helping provide secure storage without placing unnecessary load on the processor.

The processing architecture makes the ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G well suited to:

  • Enterprise virtualisation
  • Database storage
  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
  • Business-critical file services
  • Private cloud infrastructure
  • High-performance shared storage
  • Enterprise backup
  • Data centre applications

128GB DDR4 ECC Memory

The ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G includes 128GB of DDR4 ECC memory, with 64GB installed in each controller.

Each controller is supplied with:

  • 4 × 16GB RDIMM DDR4 ECC
  • 8 memory slots
  • 64GB installed capacity
  • Up to 512GB supported capacity

Across the complete dual-controller system, memory can therefore be expanded to a maximum of 1TB.

ECC memory provides additional protection against memory errors, an important consideration when handling business-critical enterprise storage workloads.

16 Hot-Swappable 12Gb/s SAS Drive Bays

The ES1686dc R2 provides 16 hot-swappable 3.5-inch drive bays with 12Gb/s SAS connectivity, backward compatible with 6Gb/s SAS.

Supported drive types include:

  • 3.5-inch SAS hard disk drives
  • 2.5-inch SAS hard disk drives
  • 2.5-inch SAS solid-state drives

The combination of 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SAS support allows the system to be configured for high-capacity storage, high-performance SSD storage or a combination appropriate to the required workload.

Enterprise 12Gb/s SAS Architecture

SAS provides several advantages for enterprise storage environments, including high performance, enterprise-class reliability and dual-path connectivity.

The ES1686dc R2 uses a dual-path SAS architecture, helping maintain communication between controllers and storage devices if one path becomes unavailable.

This complements the dual-controller architecture to provide a storage platform designed around continuous service availability.

High-Capacity SAS HDD Storage

Support for 3.5-inch SAS hard drives makes the ES1686dc-R2 particularly suitable for organisations requiring substantial enterprise storage capacity.

Potential applications include:

  • Large enterprise file systems
  • Backup repositories
  • Data archives
  • Virtual machine storage
  • Shared business data
  • Database storage
  • Private cloud infrastructure

Organisations can select suitable enterprise SAS drives according to the required balance of capacity, performance and workload rating.

SAS SSD Support for High-Performance Workloads

The ES1686dc R2 also supports 2.5-inch SAS SSDs, allowing the 16-bay system to be configured for substantially higher IOPS and lower latency.

SAS SSD configurations can be particularly valuable for:

  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
  • Transactional databases
  • Virtual machines
  • High-I/O enterprise applications
  • Business-critical databases
  • High-performance shared storage

This provides flexibility to configure the same storage platform for either capacity-focused or performance-focused applications.

Eight Integrated 10GbE SFP+ Ports

Each controller provides four 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ interfaces, giving the complete dual-controller system a total of eight integrated 10GbE SFP+ ports.

10GbE connectivity provides the bandwidth required for demanding enterprise storage applications including:

  • Virtualisation
  • iSCSI storage
  • High-performance file sharing
  • Database workloads
  • Backup
  • Replication
  • Large file transfers
  • Data centre storage networks

The large number of integrated 10GbE interfaces also provides considerable flexibility when designing redundant storage network architectures.

Additional Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity

Each controller also provides three Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 interfaces, with one assigned for remote management.

Across the complete system this provides six Gigabit Ethernet interfaces in addition to the eight integrated 10GbE SFP+ ports.

This allows management traffic and storage services to be appropriately separated according to the network design.

PCIe Expansion for Faster Networking and SAS Expansion

Each controller includes two PCIe Gen3 x8 expansion slots, providing four PCIe slots across the complete system.

PCIe expansion allows compatible network and storage connectivity to be added according to deployment requirements.

Expansion options can include compatible:

  • High-speed network adapters
  • 25GbE network adapters
  • SAS expansion cards

This allows the ES1686dc R2 to scale beyond its standard networking and internal storage configuration.

Enterprise Cache Architecture

The ES1686dc R2 incorporates an enterprise caching architecture designed to improve storage performance while protecting data.

Caching technologies include:

  • L1 ARC Read Cache: System RAM
  • L2 ARC Read Cache: SSD
  • ZIL Write Cache: NVRAM with Cache-to-Flash protection

This architecture helps accelerate storage workloads while maintaining the data protection required in enterprise environments.

Cache-to-Flash Protection

Each controller includes a dedicated 64GB M.2 SSD for Cache-to-Flash (C2F) protection.

Cache-to-Flash technology is designed to protect cached write data during unexpected power interruptions.

This is particularly important for enterprise storage systems where uncommitted write data must be protected against sudden power or controller failures.

QES Enterprise ZFS Operating System

The ES1686dc R2 runs QNAP QES, an enterprise storage operating system based on ZFS.

ZFS provides sophisticated data integrity and storage management technologies suitable for mission-critical applications.

Key QES capabilities include:

  • ZFS architecture
  • Near-limitless snapshots
  • SnapSync
  • Block-level data deduplication
  • Inline data compression
  • SMB file services
  • NFS
  • iSCSI

These features make the ES1686dc R2 suitable for both enterprise file storage and block-level storage applications.

Inline Block-Level Deduplication

QES supports inline block-level data deduplication, helping reduce storage consumption where workloads contain significant amounts of duplicate data.

Deduplication can be particularly effective in:

  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
  • Virtual machine environments
  • Development and testing
  • Repeated operating system images
  • Enterprise backup datasets

Reducing duplicate blocks can substantially improve effective storage capacity in suitable environments.

Inline Data Compression

Inline compression provides another method of increasing effective storage utilisation.

Compressible data is stored using less physical capacity, potentially allowing organisations to store more information within the same underlying storage infrastructure.

When combined with deduplication, this can improve storage efficiency and reduce the effective cost per usable terabyte.

ZFS Snapshots for Data Protection

QES supports extensive ZFS snapshot technology, allowing point-in-time copies of data to be created efficiently.

Snapshots can help protect against:

  • Accidental file deletion
  • Unwanted file changes
  • Data corruption
  • Application errors
  • Ransomware-related data modification

Snapshots can also allow files or storage volumes to be restored quickly without requiring a complete recovery from conventional backup media.

SnapSync Remote Replication

QNAP SnapSync provides snapshot-based remote replication between compatible Enterprise ZFS systems.

SnapSync can be incorporated into disaster recovery and business continuity strategies by maintaining replicated data at another location.

The combination of:

  • Dual active-active controllers
  • ZFS snapshots
  • SnapSync
  • Redundant networking
  • Redundant power
  • Dual-path SAS

provides multiple layers of resilience for business-critical data.

Optimised for Enterprise Virtualisation

The ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G is particularly well suited to shared enterprise virtualisation storage.

Its combination of dual active-active controllers, Intel Xeon processors, 128GB ECC memory, 12Gb/s SAS storage and extensive 10GbE connectivity provides a strong platform for demanding virtual machine workloads.

Typical applications include:

  • VMware environments
  • Microsoft virtualisation
  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
  • Private cloud platforms
  • Enterprise application servers

High-speed network connectivity allows multiple hosts to access shared storage while the dual-controller architecture helps maintain storage availability.

SMB, NFS and iSCSI Storage

The ES1686dc R2 supports major enterprise storage protocols including:

  • SMB
  • NFS
  • iSCSI

This allows the system to support both file-level and block-level storage requirements.

A single ES1686dc R2 can therefore provide storage for conventional file sharing, virtualisation, databases and other enterprise applications.

Expandable Enterprise Storage Capacity

The ES1686dc R2 can be expanded using compatible QNAP SAS expansion enclosures.

This allows organisations to increase storage capacity beyond the 16 internal bays without immediately replacing the primary storage system.

SAS expansion makes the ES1686dc R2 suitable for organisations that expect their enterprise storage requirements to increase over time.

Redundant Hot-Swappable Power

The ES1686dc R2 incorporates redundant hot-swappable power supplies, helping maintain operation if a power supply fails.

Power redundancy complements the system's:

  • Dual active-active controllers
  • Dual-path SAS
  • Multiple network interfaces
  • Hot-swappable drives
  • ECC memory
  • Cache-to-Flash protection

Together, these technologies create a storage architecture designed to minimise single points of failure.

3U Enterprise Rackmount Design

The ES1686dc-R2 is housed in a 3U rackmount chassis, making it suitable for installation in enterprise server rooms and data centres.

The 16 front-accessible hot-swappable drive bays provide convenient access for drive replacement and maintenance.

The system is designed for enterprise rack environments where serviceability, redundancy and continuous availability are important considerations.

Ideal Applications for the QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G

The ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G is particularly well suited to:

  • Enterprise virtualisation
  • VMware storage
  • Microsoft virtualisation
  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
  • Enterprise databases
  • High-availability file servers
  • iSCSI storage
  • Private cloud infrastructure
  • High-performance shared storage
  • Business-critical applications
  • Data centre storage
  • Enterprise backup
  • Disaster recovery
  • Large-capacity SAS storage
  • SAS SSD storage
  • Organisations requiring dual-controller high availability

Technical Specifications

Specification

Details

Model

QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G

Product Family

ES1686dc R2

Product Type

Dual-Controller Enterprise ZFS NAS

Form Factor

3U rackmount

Controller Modules

2

Controller Architecture

Dual active-active

CPU

2 × Intel Xeon D-2142IT

CPU per Controller

8-core / 16-thread

CPU Frequency

1.90GHz, burst up to 3.0GHz

CPU Architecture

64-bit x86

Encryption Engine

AES-NI

Total Installed Memory

128GB DDR4 ECC

Memory per Controller

64GB RDIMM DDR4 ECC

Memory Configuration

4 × 16GB per controller

Maximum Memory

1TB total

Maximum Memory per Controller

512GB

Memory Slots

16 total / 8 per controller

Flash Memory

4GB dual-boot OS protection

Drive Bays

16 × 3.5-inch

Drive Interface

SAS 12Gb/s, backward compatible with SAS 6Gb/s

3.5-inch SAS HDD

Supported

2.5-inch SAS HDD

Supported

2.5-inch SAS SSD

Supported

Hot-Swappable Drives

Yes

L1 ARC Read Cache

RAM

L2 ARC Read Cache

SSD

ZIL Write Cache

NVRAM with C2F

Cache-to-Flash

1 × 64GB M.2 SSD per controller

10GbE

4 × 10GbE SFP+ per controller / 8 total

Gigabit Ethernet

3 × RJ45 per controller / 6 total

Remote Management

Dedicated via one Gigabit interface per controller

PCIe Expansion

2 × PCIe Gen3 x8 per controller / 4 total

SSD Cache Acceleration

Supported

USB

2 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 per controller – engineering use

Operating System

QNAP QES

File System

ZFS

Storage Protocols

SMB, NFS and iSCSI

Inline Deduplication

Yes

Inline Compression

Yes

Snapshots

Yes

SnapSync

Yes

SAS Expansion

Supported

Power Supply

Redundant hot-swappable

Power Supply Rating

770W

Dimensions

132 × 446.2 × 587.75mm

Net Weight

Approx. 30.22kg

Operating Temperature

0°C to 40°C

Operating Humidity

5–95% RH non-condensing

ES1686dc R2 High-Availability Architecture

The ES1686dc R2 is designed around multiple layers of resilience rather than relying on any single technology.

High-Availability Feature

ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G

Active-Active Controllers

Yes

Number of Controllers

2

Processor per Controller

Xeon D-2142IT 8-core

ECC Memory per Controller

64GB

Dual-Path SAS

Yes

Redundant Power

Yes

Hot-Swappable Power Supplies

Yes

Hot-Swappable Drives

Yes

Cache-to-Flash Protection

Yes

10GbE SFP+

8 total

ZFS Snapshots

Yes

SnapSync Replication

Yes

Inline Deduplication

Yes

Inline Compression

Yes

This combination makes the ES1686dc-R2 considerably more than a conventional rackmount NAS. It is designed as a high-availability enterprise storage platform for applications where maintaining continuous access to data is a priority.

Why Choose the QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G?

The QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G combines high-availability hardware architecture with the data integrity and storage efficiency capabilities of ZFS.

Dual active-active controllers help maintain storage availability during controller failures, while each controller has its own powerful 8-core Intel Xeon D-2142IT processor and 64GB DDR4 ECC memory.

Sixteen 12Gb/s SAS bays provide flexibility for high-capacity enterprise SAS hard drives or high-performance SAS SSDs, while eight integrated 10GbE SFP+ ports provide substantial network bandwidth for virtualisation, database and shared storage applications.

QES adds ZFS snapshots, SnapSync replication, inline block-level deduplication and compression, while NVRAM and Cache-to-Flash technology help protect critical write data.

For organisations requiring high-availability enterprise NAS storage, 12Gb/s SAS, dual-controller redundancy, 10GbE networking and advanced ZFS data protection, the QNAP ES1686dc-R2-2142IT-128G provides a powerful platform for mission-critical storage infrastructure.