The Freebox Ultra features an M.2 port that allows for the installation of an SSD, thereby enhancing your network with additional storage. Here’s everything you need to know to pick the right model and take advantage of Black Friday deals to get it at the best price.
SSD Port on the Freebox Ultra
The Freebox Ultra replaces the previous version’s four SATA ports with a single M.2 NVMe port. Although this change reduces the ability to set up RAID arrays that need multiple hard drives or SSDs, it significantly increases access speed to storage, a crucial benefit for certain specific applications.
Installing the SSD is made easy through a small hatch located under the box, making the process quick and straightforward. Free provides detailed instructions to guide you through this setup.
- Unplug your Internet Server’s power supply.
- Turn over the Internet Server and open the hatch.
- Handle the hatch gently to avoid any damage.
- Insert your NVMe hard drive at an angle into the connector, then lay it flat in the slot until you hear a click.
- Once the hard drive is in place, reposition the hatch and reconnect your Internet Server’s power supply.
- All options related to using your NVMe hard drive (NAS, formatting, storage, etc.) are available through the Freebox Files app and Freebox OS.
Simplified Installation Process
Some users have reported Wi-Fi interference on the 2.4 GHz band, commonly used by home automation devices, when connecting hard drives or SSDs via the USB port of the Freebox Ultra. To use storage with this box, it is advisable to use an SSD on the M.2 port, which avoids these issues.
Choosing the Right SSD for Freebox Ultra
While Free does not provide a list of compatible SSDs or models in its accessories store, it does offer some useful guidelines:
- Type of disk: NVMe
- Disk format: 2280, M-key, without heat sink
- Generation: PCIe 3 or lower
To outfit your Freebox Ultra, you’ll need to select an M.2 NVMe SSD, making sure not to confuse it with the less common SATA models, and opt for an M.2 2280 format (22 mm wide and 80 mm long, the most common format). It is important to avoid installing an SSD with a heat sink, as space is limited, and the box’s ventilation system handles cooling.
The port on the Freebox Ultra is compatible with PCIe Gen3 SSDs and lower versions. The standard is backward-compatible, allowing for the installation of PCIe Gen4 or Gen5 SSDs, although performance will be capped at speeds of PCIe Gen3 (i.e., 1 GB/s per lane, with up to 4 lanes possible for a maximum of 4 GB/s). Some may regret the lack of compatibility with a newer standard, but this limitation is suitable for the box, which is limited to a 10 GbE network (about 1,250 MB/s theoretical). PCIe Gen3 SSDs are already highly efficient and more than adequate to utilize this bandwidth.
For optimal throughput, it is recommended to configure a 10 GbE network, now made easier with the SFP+ to RJ45 adapter offered with the Freebox Ultra.
Finally, with the widespread adoption of PCIe Gen4, these drives are often available at prices comparable to, or even less than, those of Gen3 models. Below is a selection of models that offer an excellent quality/price/performance ratio, carefully recommended by our editorial team for their value and performance.