Open Console

Two workstations, one shared path / BUILD 03

Give both workstations one place to finish the job.

Build a shared home for completed projects, datasets and bench captures, with a planned 10GbE path from each desk and clear evidence for future changes.

  • Publish once, retrieve from either desk
  • Give each host a planned data path
  • Keep the layers clear
Shop this bundle Why these pieces work together ↓
Explore 4 DIY project ideas ↓

6 products · 6 units · 2 premium capabilities

5 Amazon items + 1 separate supplier purchase. Choose around the equipment you own.

EXPLORE THE SETUP
AI illustration of the planned shared 10gbe desk; compare the original product photos for appearance.
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01

Publish once, retrieve from either desk

Put completed, permissioned project files in a named NAS share. Use labelled releases and checksum manifests so a handoff is more precise than a filename.

02

Give each host a planned data path

Connect each workstation directly to a separate NAS 10GbE interface. Keep independent administration access and measure the actual copy workload.

03

Keep the layers clear

Retain host PCIe evidence, network observations and checked copy/restore results together. A later change can be compared with the same documented baseline.

THE REASON TO BUILD IT

More than a collection
of good hardware.

A project becomes harder to hand off when its bitstream, capture files and notes live on different desktops. A portable drive moves a batch, but a shared archive gives both workstations a named place to publish and retrieve completed work.

The ASUSTOR NAS is that shared destination. One high-capacity drive starts the archive, and one distinct PCIe adapter equips each workstation for its own direct 10GbE NAS connection. Keep the normal management network available and preserve host evidence separately from file-copy results. You gain a clear place for the work and a clearer way to investigate the path it takes.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD MAKE

Your next
DIY project.

Small inventions with a useful purpose.
Choose the idea that earns a place on your bench.

Original DIY concepts inspired by maker builds. You supply the code and validation. Shopping links open in a new tab; Amazon links are paid links.

DIY CONCEPT / 01

One shelf for the firmware that worked.

Make a release library for approved bitstreams, firmware and build notes on the ASUSTOR Lockerstor, populated with one 24TB IronWolf Pro drive. Publish each named release beside its checksum and hardware report. The next time someone asks ‘Which file did we flash?’, the answer has a home.

Header7F can help

Console Export the supplied hardware evidence to keep beside the release it describes.

PCI config decoder Inspect the publishing workstation’s supplied NIC PCIe configuration.

You supply release labels and checksum checks. A single 24TB drive has less usable capacity after overhead, provides no disk redundancy and needs an independent backup.

DIY CONCEPT / 02

Two desks. The same investigation.

Give the capture desk and analysis desk one project archive. The TX401 and ASUS XG-C100C connect their hosts to the shared store’s two 10GbE ports, while named folders keep raw captures, probe settings and conclusions together. Build a handoff station where the next engineer receives the evidence behind the conclusion.

Header7F can help

Console Compare supported PCIe captures and export reports to your shared investigation folder.

PCIe Bus Error decoder Interpret relevant host PCIe error logs when either adapter’s path needs investigation.

The two direct NAS links need an independent IP plan. Header7F does not import arbitrary scope/DSView sessions or measure Ethernet throughput.

DIY CONCEPT / 03

Know which dataset made that result.

Keep a read-only master dataset on the shared store and stage a named working copy on your computer. Choose the optional 5 ft Cat6A cable only when its length suits that direct link. Add a simple manifest connecting each result to its input version: a useful check-out desk for image-processing experiments, simulation inputs and FPGA regression data.

Header7F can help

PCI config decoder Document the host adapter’s native PCIe installation from supplied evidence.

Console Preserve that host baseline beside your independently measured transfer and experiment results.

Reuse a supplied NAS cable when it fits. Dataset, manifest and copy-verification software are separate; disk I/O, host storage and workload determine actual transfer speed.

DIY CONCEPT / 04

A local recovery library for your lab.

Create a local depot of board manuals, known-good drivers, firmware and recovery notes on the shared store. Use the QNAP switch for an appropriately planned ordinary-LAN management path, keeping the workstations’ direct fast links separate. Keep the exact package that worked close to the hardware that may need it again.

Header7F can help

Console Save the known-good host PCIe capture and export its report into the recovery folder.

PCIe Bus Error decoder Make later supplied PCIe error logs readable alongside the earlier baseline.

Configure the local share separately and keep an independent backup. This switch has two 10GbE ports; it cannot switch three fast uplinks at once.

Maker projects behind the ideas

These projects inspired the approach. The concepts above are Header7F adaptations, not tested reproductions of these builds.

EVERY PIECE HAS A JOB

Build the capability.
Choose your equipment.

Six distinct products, one of each. Reuse supported 10GbE ports, a suitable owned handling setup and the four Cat6A cables supplied with the NAS. The QNAP switch and one alternate cable are optional; the archive needs an independent backup.

Core

Give the second desk its own endpoint

Equip the peer workstation for a separate direct NAS connection. Keep its identity, driver and captures distinct from the first host for meaningful comparisons.

Ethernet
One 10GbE RJ45 port
Host role
Workstation 2
Fit, specifications & your next check

Second-host adapter. It belongs in the other workstation, subject to exact revision and driver support.

Before choosing itA compatible peer slot and exact card revision with official OS/driver support.

With Header7FRead relevant PCIe error evidence →

Keep each host’s identity and driver separate. Two different adapters are not a controlled brand comparison.

Manufacturer specifications
View on Amazon paid link · confirm current offer
Optional

Keep a shared management network available

Use the compact fanless switch where an additional local management/LAN connection is useful. Keep its port roles explicit while the two dedicated data links connect directly to the NAS.

Fast ports
Ports 5 + 6: 10GbE
Cooling
Fanless
Fit, specifications & your next check

Optional management switch. Two 10GbE ports and four 2.5GbE ports; it cannot provide three switched 10GbE uplinks.

Before choosing itVerify the exact R2 variant. Ports 5 and 6 are its fast ports; a NAS management connection to a 2.5GbE port is limited by that port.

With Header7FSeparate host and network evidence →

Header7F does not connect to or manage this unmanaged switch. A 2.5GbE port caps that Ethernet path.

Manufacturer specifications

Separate purchase at B&H

Buy at B&H separate supplier purchase

Exact QSW-2104-2T-R2-US model. Separate B&H purchase.

Optional

Fit the nearer route to the desk

Choose the 5 ft Cat6A run when it suits a nearby workstation-to-NAS connection. A deliberate cable route keeps the physical path easy to identify during a later comparison.

Length
5 ft / 1.5 m
Cable
Aqua Cat6A
Fit, specifications & your next check

Optional length choice. Reuse a supplied NAS cable when it already fits.

Before choosing itA desk route that fits 5 ft / 1.5 m, with appropriate bend and strain relief.

With Header7FKeep the cable route with the report →

AER does not establish Ethernet cable quality. Diagnose network negotiation/counters with the NIC’s own tools.

Manufacturer specifications
View on Amazon paid link · confirm current offer
ExpansionPremium capability

Create one named destination for both desks

Use the four-bay NAS for permissioned shares containing completed projects and verified exports. Its two 10GbE interfaces support the proposed separate host links, while another port keeps management distinct.

Storage chassis
4 × SATA 3 bays for 3.5/2.5-inch disks; 4 × M.2 slots; diskless
Networking
2 × 10GbE RJ45 + 2 × 5GbE RJ45; the 10G ports support 10/2.5/1GbE/100MbE
Fit, specifications & your next check

Shared storage endpoint, supplied diskless. Requires drives, subnet planning, ADM setup and a separate backup.

Before choosing itTwo compatible PCIe hosts and drivers; AC power and ventilation; one compatible SATA drive for the single-drive setup; a separate off-NAS backup policy; ADM setup and SMB/NFS permissions; an existing management LAN and host onboard LAN/Wi-Fi. Dedicated host-to-NAS paths need two non-overlapping IP subnets and no default gateway on those isolated links. Reuse existing hardware first.

Supplied interconnects
4 × Cat6A LAN cables plus AC adapter/cord and drive screws; reuse these if their lengths suit the desk
CPU / memory
AMD Ryzen V3C14 four-core 2.3GHz, boost up to 3.8GHz; 16GB ECC DDR5-4800 supplied

With Header7FReview host-side NIC evidence →

Header7F can help interpret PCIe link/AER evidence from each host NIC. It does not configure ADM, log into the NAS, validate a RAID pool, measure network throughput or prove storage integrity. USB4 host-to-host mode is not supported; do not present this NAS as a USB-attached disk.

Manufacturer specifications
View on Amazon paid link · confirm current offerAlso check B&H

Exact diskless four-bay model.

ExpansionPremium capability

Give the shared archive room to grow

One 24TB drive gives completed projects and datasets a high-capacity destination. Keep retained copies and a checked restore on a separate backup, because this single-drive selection provides no disk redundancy.

Selected drive
24TB ST24000NT002; 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s; 512e
Media / mechanics
CMR helium design, 7200RPM, 512MB cache
Fit, specifications & your next check

One drive. Verify the delivered full model/firmware and NAS compatibility before initialization.

Before choosing itVerify the current AS6804T compatibility list and delivered full part number/firmware. Install one drive and initialize the intended single-drive storage in ADM following manufacturer instructions. Initialization can erase data. Keep a separate backup and test a restore.

Planned storage
One drive: nominal 24TB before formatting and metadata; no RAID redundancy
AS6804T compatibility
AS68 list includes ST24000NT002-3N1101-500, EN01, ADM 5.0.0+

With Header7FKeep host-side evidence context →

Header7F does not read this drive’s SMART data, test platter health, manage RAID or validate a backup. Use ADM and Seagate diagnostics for NAS/disk status; use independent copy/checksum/restore tools for the data. A mechanical HDD can limit sustained I/O well below 10GbE line rate.

Manufacturer specifications
View on Amazon paid link · confirm current offerAlso check Newegg marketplace

Marketplace offer: confirm seller, new condition, warranty and exact model.

YOUR FIRST USEFUL RESULT

Put the setup
to work.

Two documented host-to-NAS paths and a checked file transfer, with native PCIe evidence kept separate.

  1. 01

    Keep each host distinct

    Identify each NIC, driver and native PCIe path. Plan an independent management connection and unused direct-link subnets before configuring the NAS.

  2. 02

    Prepare storage and the two links

    Verify the delivered drive/firmware compatibility and initialize the single-drive storage before copying important files. Connect each workstation to its assigned NAS 10GbE interface; use a separate NAS port for management.

  3. 03

    Check a real copy and restore

    Use a known dataset and an independent integrity check. Keep host PCIe/AER evidence, network observations and disk/restore results distinct; retain a separate backup.

Inspect the host-side PCIe path

Ethernet speed, network traffic and host PCIe state answer different questions. Keep the independently measured network result with the report.

A CONSIDERED PURCHASE

Know what fits
before you order.

Back to your selection ↑
What do I need before choosing this setup? +
  • Two supported computers with suitable PCIe slots, driver support and existing independent LAN or Wi-Fi for administration.
  • A new diskless AS6804T with one supported ST24000NT002 drive, intentional single-drive setup and a separate backup/restore plan. This selection provides no disk redundancy.
  • Two non-overlapping direct-link subnet plans; suitable power, ventilation, a management LAN and an appropriate owned handling/grounding setup. A 10GbE link does not guarantee file-copy speed.

For the expanded NAS idea, connect each host directly to a different NAS 10GbE port on separately planned subnets. The QNAP has only two 10GbE ports; use it for the separate management/LAN path. Reuse the four Cat6A cables supplied with the NAS if their lengths fit.

Why are there two different network cards?

One equips the first workstation and the other equips its peer. They go in different computers. Reuse an existing supported 10GbE port on either host instead of buying a card for that role.

Can both workstations and the NAS use the QNAP switch at 10GbE?

This switch has only two 10GbE ports. The expanded plan instead gives each host its own direct NAS 10GbE link on a separate planned subnet, with no gateway on those isolated links. Use the existing LAN or Wi-Fi for host administration and a separate NAS port for management.

How much storage is included?

One 24TB drive provides nominal 24TB before formatting and metadata. This is single-drive storage with no RAID redundancy. Confirm the exact delivered drive and firmware against the NAS compatibility list, and retain an independent backup.

Does the setup guarantee recovery or 10GbE copy speed?

No. A separate checked backup supports recovery from disk failure, deletion or broader loss. Mechanical drive I/O, the hosts and the workload can limit copies below the network link rate. Measure your actual task and test a restore.

Do I need extra cables, and what does Header7F inspect?

Reuse the NAS’s four included Cat6A cables if their lengths fit. The single listed StarTech cable is an optional shorter route. Header7F helps interpret supplied host PCIe/AER evidence; ADM, networking and independent copy/restore tools handle the NAS, network and files.

About the scene, exact models & product sources

This AI-arranged illustration shows a planned kit using product appearance references. Compare the original photos and the exact listing variant. It does not document an assembled, tested or compatible Header7F lab.

All scene products remain visible and individually linked. Retailer offers and regional delivery can change. Tools interpret supported supplied evidence; handling accessories do not produce diagnostic data.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are paid links; check the exact model, seller, price and delivery availability on Amazon.

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