Thoughts on Synology NAS


Dru2

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Anyone using a Synology NAS? I have a Western Digital NAS that also supports Plex Server, which I use for music streaming. The WD has been running 24/7/365 since 2019, so I’m thinking it’s time to replace it. I’m looking at the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay.

Thoughts? How’s Synology’s OS?

Thanks.
 

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    202. Build Your Own laptop.
    vPro Certified Model: vPro Enterprise
I'm not in the market for such devices, but after reading this, if I were, I wouldn't even look in this company's direction.


Edit: I forgot how to spell.
 

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I had 2 WDC MyCloud drives connected to my Router until there were security issues with their software so changed to Buffalo. I'm using a LinkStation 8TB NAS as RAID 1 with total 4TB storage [RAID 1 is mirroring one drive to the other]. It came with 4GB Seagate Iron Wolf drives, quite pleased with performance. It's connected via Ethernet to my Router and any computer Wired or Wireless can have the Public folder I created Mapped for storage/access of the data in 134 subfolders.
 

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    Win11 Pro RTM
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    Dell Vostro 3400
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    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
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    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
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    Dell Vostro 5890
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Its USB port often disconnected when long time in use.
 

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    Lenovo Legion 5i Pro Gen 6
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    32GB DDR4 3200MHz
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    1TB PCIe SSD
I had 2 WDC MyCloud drives connected to my Router until there were security issues with their software so changed to Buffalo. I'm using a LinkStation 8TB NAS as RAID 1 with total 4TB storage [RAID 1 is mirroring one drive to the other]. It came with 4GB Seagate Iron Wolf drives, quite pleased with performance. It's connected via Ethernet to my Router and any computer Wired or Wireless can have the Public folder I created Mapped for storage/access of the data in 134 subfolders.
I'm running 4 WD Red Pro 6TB drives in RAID 10 so I only get 12TB (well 10.7) useable storage. Plenty for my need. Mine is also connected via ethernet to my router as well. What security issues are you referring to??? I have the PR4100 4-Bay NAS.

Anyway, I'm just looking to replace seeing the WD is getting long in the tooth now, and I don't want to be caught without a NAS should (knocks on wood) the WD give out. I looked to WD for a replacement, but they look like they're getting out of the consumer NAS business.

Anyway, I think I'll probably end up with a Synology replacement.
 

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    Gigabyte Aorus Z890 Xtreme AI Top
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    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
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    27-inch Eizo Color Edge - CG2700X
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    3840 x 2160
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    4 Samsung NVM 990 Pro drives: 1 X 1TB (OS) 2X TB, 1 X 1TB.
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    Cooler Master H500M
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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.4391)
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    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
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    Intel Core Ultra 7 165U vPro® Processor
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    32 GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)
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    14" 2.8K OLED, Anti Reflection, Touch, HDR 500, 400 nits, 120Hz
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    2880 x 1800
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    1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal
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    Lenovo
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    Vapor Chamber Cooling
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    Touchpad: Haptic Touchpad
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    Backlit, Black with Fingerprint Reader and WWAN
    Internet Speed
    100MB
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    202. Build Your Own laptop.
    vPro Certified Model: vPro Enterprise
Synology makes a VERY good OS. You must remember however you're not paying for the hardware but the software(usage). As was pointed out however some of their higher end ones will limit the drives you can use. This has been an ongoing thing with Synology in recent years. There are several Youtube channels that discuss everything Synology and point out the Pros and Cons.
Many would suggest just building your own using older PC hardware and then using free NAS software.
 

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    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
Personally I prefer Qnap had them for years with WD Red Drives and never had an issue plus they are very good for constant firmware upgrades for security.
 

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I use 2 Synology NAS boxes DS212J and DS220+, the newer one with 2 x WD Red Plus 6TB drives, mirrored.

The OS seems very comprehensive. Those drives were on their compatibility list at the time.
Newer one bought on the basis of more speed, apparent reliability - the older one has been used for 12 years, better the devil you know principle for the Disc Station OS.

Neat black box and just works, with minimal effort.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
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For the security I mentioned, it was the WD software included as part of a My Cloud drive and no update for it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Synology makes a VERY good OS. You must remember however you're not paying for the hardware but the software(usage). As was pointed out however some of their higher end ones will limit the drives you can use. This has been an ongoing thing with Synology in recent years. There are several Youtube channels that discuss everything Synology and point out the Pros and Cons.
Many would suggest just building your own using older PC hardware and then using free NAS software.
I've been considering that; I certainly have the hardware, I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with working with a NAS OS from scratch. BTW, I heard of Free NAS, and it's what got me thinking about doing a NAS build, but as I said.... comfortably in working with a NAS OS. Would also state the OS has to support Plex as that's my main reason for a NAS.

As for the drives controversy with Synology, I've heard the same but for my needs and drives sizes, I've not seen anything to hinder what I want.... simple storage, and music streaming through Plex. I'd be using WD's Red Pro drives. Probably 8TB sizes.

For the security I mentioned, it was the WD software included as part of a My Cloud drive and no update for it.
Got you. Mine is cloud based so access is through the internet. I have MY Cloud OS 5 installed on my android device, but that's just for mobile use. I don't have it installed on PC.

Newer one bought on the basis of more speed, apparent reliability - the older one has been used for 12 years, better the devil you know principle for the Disc Station OS.
Why I wanted to stay with WD, but they seemed to have moved on :(

Personally I prefer Qnap had them for years with WD Red Drives and never had an issue plus they are very good for constant firmware upgrades for security.
I looked at Qnap, even before I got my WD NAS, but in the end it was WD.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (Build 26100.3476)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel Core 9 Ultra
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z890 Xtreme AI Top
    Memory
    64G (4x16) DDR5 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (6400Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon (XFX MERC 310) RX 7900XT
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27-inch Eizo Color Edge - CG2700X
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    4 Samsung NVM 990 Pro drives: 1 X 1TB (OS) 2X TB, 1 X 1TB.
    PSU
    Seasonic TX-1300 (1300 Watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair Link Titan 280 RX RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1TB Download. 512mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.4391)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 165U vPro® Processor
    Motherboard
    Vendor
    Memory
    32 GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED, Anti Reflection, Touch, HDR 500, 400 nits, 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal
    PSU
    Vendor
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    Touchpad: Haptic Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, Black with Fingerprint Reader and WWAN
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    202. Build Your Own laptop.
    vPro Certified Model: vPro Enterprise
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