Usage

While the RAID array was being created, I loaded QNAP's finder software on to my desktop. After running it, it found the TS-509U on my network. There was no need to load firmware on to the unit, so I was able to access the unit's web server.

From the landing page, I could have looked in the fileserver, but I chose to visit the administration section to see if anything had changed since I looked at the TS-409U. I was a little disappointed to see the design hadn't changed.

One of my complaints about the administration interface on the TS-409U was the fact that after picking an admin module to configure, the other sections were accessible from a horizontal navigation bar. Normally, this would be fine, but the navigation bar is only pictures and no words. The end user is stuck trying to figure out what each picture represents, and it's easier to go back to the landing page and making a selection from there. Sadly, this trend carries on to the TS-509 Pro.

Within the admin interface, things were very much the same as the TS-409U. I'd like to highlight some of the new features and small changes made here. First off, the configuration of the eSATA port.

The aren't many other changes from the TS-409U's web interface. The web interface for both the file manager and administrator area are the same as the TS-409 and prior models. In my review of the TS-409U, I bought up several areas I disliked about the web interface. Unfortunately, QNAP hasn't made any changes here yet.