Protectli VP32XX – Alder Lake-N network appliances with dual 2.5GbE, NVMe and SATA storage options

The Protectli VP32XX is a family of Alder Lake-N network appliances for high-performance applications. This compact device comes in two variants: the VP3210, powered by a quad-core Intel N100 processor, and the VP3230, built around an eight-core Intel Core i3-N305 processor.

Both support up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM and the company mentions that they have tested it with up to 48 GB. They also include 32GB of eMMC storage with dual 2.5GbE. Storage options include dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots and an expansion bay that supports up to four 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, making them ideal for NAS applications. Additionally, they have various I/O options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, multiple USB ports, and a PCIe slot, making them compatible with multimedia workstations or networking hubs.

Protectli VP3200 specifications:

• Processor
  • VP3210 – Intel Processor N100 quad-core Alder Lake-N processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel HD graphics @ 750 MHz; TDP: 6W
  • VP3230 – Intel Core i3-N305 octa-core processor up to 3.8 GHz with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel UHD Graphics @ 1.25 GHz; TDP: 15W
• Memory – 1x SO-DIMM DDR5-4800, up to 16GB (tested for compatibility up to 48GB)
• Storage
  • 32GB eMMC flash
  • M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x1 socket for NVMe SSD
  • M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 socket for NVMe SSD
  • 4x internal 2.5” SATA 3.0 SSD (power on board, data via M.2 2280 PCIe expansion card)
• Video Output
  • HDMI 2.0 port
  • DisplayPort 1.4 connector
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports with DisplayPort Alt mode
• Networking – 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports via Intel I226-V controllers
• USB
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports with DisplayPort
  • Internal USB 2.0 header
• Serial
  • RJ45 console
  • USB Type-C COM Port
• Expansion
  • M.2 2280 M-Key PCIe 3.0 x4 (NVMe) socket
  • M.2 2280 M-Key PCIe 3.0 x1 (NVMe) socket
  • M.2 2280 E-Key PCIe 3.0 x1 (WiFi) socket
  • M.2 3052 B-Key USB 3.2 Gen 1 (LTE) socket and Nano (4FF) SIM slot for cellular connectivity
  • PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 2280 to PCIe x4 card slot (open-ended)
  • GPIO header (PH2.0) via IT8659E I/O management chip
•   Security – Optional TPM 2.0 module with 2×6 pin TPM header
• Misc
  • 8x WiFi/LTE antenna mounting holes + 2 on expansion
  • Reset Button (Recessed)
  • CMOS Reset (2 pins)
  • 2x PWM Fan Headers (4 pin, 12V)
  • Front Panel Header (9 pin)
  • NTP Header
  • eSPI Header
  • BIOS flash header
  • LED Power Button (Blue)
• Power
  • 12V DC power jack (5A for VP3210, 7.5A for VP3230)
  • Usage – Idle: 12W; Max: 60W (VP3210), Max: 75W (VP3230)
• Dimensions
  • Base – 181.10 x 174.63 x 59.18 mm)
  • Base + Expansion – 181.10 x 174.63 x 108.46 mm
• Temperature Range – -10° to +50°C
• Humidity – 0-95% relative humidity, non-condensing
• Weight
  • VP3210/VP3230 Base – 3 lb 4.7 oz (1.49 kg)
  • VP3210/VP3230 Base + Expansion – 4 lb 10.4 oz (2.11 kg)
• Mounting – Desktop, VESA bracket, optional 1RU rack mount
• Certifications – UL (Power Supply), FCC Part 15 Class B, CE, RoHS
• Country of Origin – Made in China; Assembled in USA, Canada, Germany, or China

In the official specification, Intel mentions a 16GB limit for the Intel processors, but in their press release, Protectli mentions that they have tested modules up to 48GB. This is not surprising as the ODROID-H4 SBC based on a similar Intel Processor N97 Alder Lake-N CPU has also been tested with up to 48GB DDR5 memory.

You have the option to add up to four 2.5-inch SATA SSDs or install a PCIe card in the bay for a network card or a dedicated GPU, but you cannot do both simultaneously. This means you’ll need to decide between expanding storage capacity or adding functionality through a PCIe card.

Previously we have written about similar Alder Lake network appliances like a white-brand fanless Alder Lake network appliance, the AAEON FWS-2290 Intel N97 network appliance, the INCTEL N100 fanless mini PC, iKOOLCORE R2 mini PC and other Intel-based network appliances like the KingNovy’s 6-port fanless firewall appliance.

In terms of software, the company does not provide a list of supported operating systems or drivers for its Alder Lake-N network appliances, however, its hardware overview page specifies the need for Windows drivers for two standalone Intel i226V NICs which indicates that it can run windows.

The barebone model for the Protectli VP3210 network appliance without memory, storage, and Wi-Fi module, starts at $449.00, while the VP3230 starts at $549.00. For more details, you can also check  out Protectli’s product announcement.

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