SLIGER CX3701 Bay Nas Chassis

( Brand: Sliger ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: CX3701 ), ( Rack Unit Width: 19 In ), ( Type: Server Case ), ( Unit Type: Unit ), ( Rack Depth: 15 In ), ( Mount Type: Rack ), ( Item Height: 5.22 In ), ( Rack Unit Height: 3 U )

Review SLIGER Bay Nas Chassis

The **Synology DiskStation DS224 (DS224 II) 10-Bay NAS Chassis** officially rebranded as the **Sligo CX3701** in certain markets is a robust, enterprise-grade network-attached storage solution designed to deliver seamless scalability, high-performance data management, and enterprise-level reliability for businesses, SMBs, and power users. Engineered with Synology s signature blend of user-friendly interface and powerful backend capabilities, this 10-bay NAS chassis serves as the backbone for a wide range of applications, from media streaming and virtualization to business-critical file sharing and backup solutions. Built with a **dual-core 1.7 GHz processor** and **2 GB of DDR3 RAM** (expandable to 4 GB), the CX3701 ensures smooth multitasking, handling everything from real-time transcoding for 4K video libraries to concurrent user access without lag. Its **10 hot-swappable bays** accommodate a mix of HDDs and SSDs, including Synology s proprietary **DiskStation Drive (DSD) series**, which are optimized for NAS environments, offering enhanced durability and performance. The chassis supports **RAID configurations** (including RAID 5, RAID 6, and hybrid RAID like SHR-2) for data redundancy and protection, ensuring that critical files remain secure even in the event of a drive failure. With **Synology s DSM (DiskStation Manager) operating system**, users gain access to an intuitive, web-based interface that simplifies setup, monitoring, and administration, while also providing access to a vast ecosystem of third-party apps via the **Package Center**, including tools for surveillance, remote access, and even light virtualization with **Synology Virtualization Station**.

Beyond raw storage, the CX3701 excels in connectivity and expandability, featuring **two Gigabit Ethernet ports** (with optional **Synology QNAP NAS Expansion Ports** for additional bandwidth) and support for **Synology s QuickConnect** for secure, remote access via the internet. For higher-performance needs, the chassis can be paired with **Synology s Expansion Unit 2** or **Synology s Expansion Unit 4** to extend storage capacity without sacrificing performance. The unit also includes **Synology s Surveillance Station**, enabling seamless integration with IP cameras for professional-grade video monitoring, while **Synology s Hyper Backup** ensures automated, encrypted backups to cloud services or external drives. With **Synology s Active Backup for Business**, users can even back up Windows, macOS, and Linux systems directly to the NAS, making it an all-in-one solution for data protection. Built with **industrial-grade components**, the CX3701 operates quietly (rated at just **24.5 dB(A)**) while maintaining a sturdy, compact form factor that fits seamlessly into office or home environments. Whether used as a **personal media hub**, a **business file server**, or a **disaster recovery solution**, the Sligo CX3701 (DS224 II) delivers a perfect balance of power, flexibility, and ease of use, making it a standout choice for those seeking a future-proof NAS system.

The **Synology DiskStation DS224 (DS224 )** is a popular 2-bay NAS, but if you're considering a **10-bay chassis like the Sligo CX3701**, here s a detailed breakdown of its pros and cons, followed by a conclusion and recommendation.

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### **Pros of the Sligo CX3701 (10-Bay NAS Chassis)**

1. **High Capacity and Scalability**

The CX3701 supports up to 10 drives, allowing for massive storage expansion (e.g., 10x 16TB drives 160TB raw capacity). This is ideal for large media libraries, backups, or enterprise-level storage needs where a 2-bay NAS like the DS224 would quickly become insufficient.

2. **Enterprise-Grade Performance**

The chassis is designed for high-performance workloads, supporting RAID configurations (e.g., RAID 6, RAID 10) that provide redundancy and fault tolerance. This is critical for data integrity in professional or business environments where downtime is unacceptable.

3. **Compatibility with Multiple OS Options**

- **TrueNAS CORE/Scale** (open-source, highly customizable)

- **Unraid** (popular for media servers and flexibility)

- **Linux (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu Server)**

- **Windows Server** (for legacy or specific applications)

This flexibility allows users to tailor the system to their exact needs without vendor lock-in.

4. **Cost-Effective for Large Storage**

While the initial cost of the chassis itself may be higher than a Synology DS224 , the ability to use cheaper consumer-grade drives (e.g., WD Red, Seagate IronWolf) and avoid proprietary pricing makes it more economical for large-scale storage over time.

5. **Hot-Swappable Drives**

Most drives in the CX3701 are hot-swappable, meaning you can replace or add drives without powering down the system. This is a significant advantage for maintenance and uptime.

6. **Expansion and Upgrade Potential**

The chassis supports additional expansion cards (e.g., PCIe slots for GPUs, NVMe SSDs, or additional network cards), allowing for future upgrades without replacing the entire system.

7. **Lower Power Consumption per TB**

Since you can use consumer-grade drives (which are more power-efficient than NAS-specific drives in some cases), the CX3701 can offer better power efficiency for large storage arrays compared to a 2-bay NAS with high-capacity drives.

8. **Community and Support**

Systems like TrueNAS and Unraid have large, active communities with extensive documentation, forums, and third-party plugins. This makes troubleshooting and optimization easier than with some proprietary NAS systems.

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### **Cons of the Sligo CX3701**

1. **No Built-In Management Software**

Unlike Synology or QNAP, the CX3701 does not come with a user-friendly GUI out of the box. You must install and configure an OS (e.g., TrueNAS, Unraid) yourself, which can be a steep learning curve for beginners. This may require additional time and technical knowledge to set up correctly.

2. **No Pre-Installed Applications**

Proprietary NAS systems like Synology come with a wide range of pre-installed apps (e.g., Plex, Nextcloud, Surveillance Station). With the CX3701, you ll need to manually install and configure these applications, which can be time-consuming and may not always be as seamless.

3. **Hardware Limitations**

The CX3701 is a **passive chassis**, meaning it lacks built-in fans or cooling solutions for the motherboard or CPU. While drives are cooled by their own fans, you ll need to ensure adequate airflow in your server case and possibly add external cooling (e.g., a CPU cooler) if running a high-performance OS like TrueNAS Scale with a powerful CPU.

4. **No Official Synology/QNAP Support**

If you rely on Synology s or QNAP s ecosystem (e.g., Synology Drive, QNAP QoS), you won t have access to these features with the CX3701. This can be a drawback for users who depend on these specific integrations.

5. **Potential for Higher Initial Cost**

While the long-term cost per TB may be lower, the upfront cost of the CX3701 chassis (often $300 $500) plus the cost of drives and an OS (e.g., TrueNAS license for Scale) can be higher than a 2-bay NAS like the DS224 (which starts around $200 $300). However, this is offset by the ability to use cheaper drives.

6. **No Built-In Redundant Power Supply (RPS)**

Most CX3701 models do not include a redundant power supply (RPS) by default. While some users add an RPS for critical systems, this adds to the cost and complexity.

7. **Learning Curve for RAID and Storage Management**

Managing large RAID arrays (e.g., RAID 6, RAID 10) requires a good understanding of storage concepts. Mistakes can lead to data loss or performance issues, especially for beginners.

8. **Limited Official Warranty**

The CX3701 is often sold by third-party vendors (e.g., Sligo, StarTech) with varying warranty terms. Proprietary NAS systems like Synology typically offer longer, more reliable warranties.

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### **Comparison to Synology DS224 **

While the DS224 is a great choice for small to medium storage needs (up to 30TB with two 16TB drives), it lacks the scalability and flexibility of the CX3701. The DS224 is easier to set up and use for home users or small businesses, but it will quickly become a bottleneck if you need more than 2 4 drives. The CX3701 is the better choice if:

- You need **large-scale storage** (10 drives).

- You want **flexibility** in OS and software choices.

- You re comfortable with **self-management** and troubleshooting.

- You prioritize **cost efficiency per TB** over convenience.

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### **Conclusion**

The **Sligo CX3701 is an excellent choice for users who require a high-capacity, scalable NAS solution and are willing to invest time in setup and management**. It excels in environments where flexibility, redundancy, and large storage volumes are critical, such as:

- Media servers with extensive libraries.

- Home labs or homelabs.

- Small to medium businesses needing fault-tolerant storage.

- Users who want to avoid vendor lock-in and prefer open-source or customizable solutions.

However, it is **not ideal for beginners, power users who prioritize ease of use, or those who rely on Synology/QNAP-specific features**. If your needs are simpler (e.g., 2 4 drives, user-friendly interface), a **Synology DS224 or QNAP TS-253D** would be a more straightforward and supported option.

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### **Recommendation**

- You need **10 drives** for large storage arrays.

- You want **flexibility** to run TrueNAS, Unraid, or Linux.

- You re comfortable with **self-management** and troubleshooting.

- You prioritize **cost efficiency per TB** over convenience.

- You plan to use **consumer-grade drives** (e.g., WD Red, Seagate IronWolf) for cost savings.

- OS: **TrueNAS Scale** (for ease of use with a GUI) or **Unraid** (for flexibility and plugins).

- Drives: Mix of **HDDs for storage** (e.g., 16TB WD Red) and **SSDs for cache** (e.g., 1TB Samsung 870 EVO).

- Additional Hardware: Consider adding an **RPS (redundant power supply)** and **external cooling** if needed.

- You want a **plug-and-play solution** with minimal setup.

- You rely on **Synology/QNAP-specific apps** (e.g., Surveillance Station, Hyper Backup).

- Your storage needs are **smaller than 10 drives**.

- You lack experience with **RAID, storage management, or Linux**.

- **Synology DS224 ** (for 2-bay NAS with easy setup and apps).

- **QNAP TS-464** (for 4-bay NAS with more flexibility than the DS224 ).

- **TrueNAS Mini (for smaller setups)** if you want open-source but with a preconfigured appliance.

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### **Final Verdict**

The **CX3701 is a powerful, scalable NAS chassis that shines for advanced users**, but it requires more effort to set up and maintain than a proprietary NAS like the DS224 . If you re building a **large-scale, fault-tolerant storage system** and don

Details:

Certifications must be sought as a fully integrated system. Other Brand Compatibility Brands such as are naively compatible. Any fan from. Affiliate Link.

User must connect SATA data and power cables on inside of case to these SATA/SAS adapters. SFX or SFX-L PSU compatibility. Case has a locking mechanism and key, as well thumb screws, to secure drives. Optimal airflow requires an equivalent.

An equivalent to power on the SFX PSU for HDD. This is a well made product and given my hardware requirements aligned with the Microdots form factor this would be installed in rack. Recommended model's. Made in USA with US materials.

A SAS controller can control SATA drives, but a cannot drives. Obsidian Black. Hot-swap support depends on HBA / RAID card, motherboard and OS. Case does NOT include any data cables.

All original hardware included. Box was opened but product has never been used. This configuration may also be referred to as a JBOD Expansion Enclosure or RAID enclosure. The shoulder screws guide DDS through slots and the drive to a back plane mounted SATA/SAS SATA adapter.

My loss is your gain. Case Mechanical: No specs found. CX3701 15 3U 10x 3.5 Drive NAS for Minuit's: Trailers SATA or SAS HDD Hot-Swap Bays. Chassis, USB cables, Power Button, Cable.

SAS Bracket Adapters screw directly into the case Pie slots. Magnetic front panel with dust filter and locking mechanism. Enclosure/Expansion: Direct Attached storage DAS Case can be used without a motherboard, CPU, RAM, etc. Mini-ITX motherboard compatibility with 2x Pie slots.

Alternate density and/or materials such as aluminum mesh available for OEM projects. External SFF Connector must be matched or adapted to your Host HBA/ RAID cards adapter. As a Direct Attached storage DAS system. Brand new Sliger CX3701 NAS Case.

4x internal 2.5 SSD mounts.

specifications rackmountcasee:

• brand: Sliger
• mpn: Cx3701
• rack unit width: 19 In
• type: Server Case
• unit type: Unit
• rack depth: 15 In
• mount type: Rack
• item height: 5.22 In
• rack unit height: 3 U

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• class: Standard
• service: FedEx Ground / FedEx Home Delivery
• type: Calculated
• transit: 4-8 Days
• cost: $0.00
• carrier: FedEx

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• policy: No Returns

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• availability: In Stock
• started: February 15, 2026
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• # reviews: 83
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• condition: Open box
• Enterprise Networking, Servers > Racks, Chassis Patch Panels > Rackmount Cases Chassis

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