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Synology DiskStation has become a go-to solution for many clients looking to replace their Apple-based servers and improve file sharing …
Overview
What is DiskStation?
DiskStation is a line of network-attached storage (NAS) solutions from Synology headquartered in Taiwan.
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Product Details
- About
- Competitors
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is DiskStation?
Synology's storage solutions provide data availability and simplify IT challenges with software and data management tools.
DiskStation Features
- Supported: Network Attached Storage
- Supported: Acts as the user's own Private Cloud
- Supported: Offers a variety of sizes to suit the user's needs
DiskStation Competitors
DiskStation Technical Details
| Deployment Types | On-premise |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Linux |
| Mobile Application | Apple iOS, Android, Mobile Web |
Frequently Asked Questions
DiskStation is a line of network-attached storage (NAS) solutions from Synology headquartered in Taiwan.
Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 9.7.
The most common users of DiskStation are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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(84)
Community Insights
TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
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Synology DiskStation has become a go-to solution for many clients looking to replace their Apple-based servers and improve file sharing capabilities. Users rely on this product for a range of use cases, from serving as a backup solution with built-in tools like Hyperbackup and Cloud Sync, to managing large amounts of information across departments and warehouses. It is also utilized as a versatile file server, photo management solution, VPN server, and Active Directory Server. Additionally, Synology DiskStation offers an inexpensive way to add storage to servers, provides backup space, and acts as a replacement for servers in other locations. This low-cost NAS solution requires low maintenance and excels at storing archived data. It is commonly used as network-attached storage for smaller offices and serves as a backup server, eliminating tapes and offering deduped backups with offsite data repositories. Companies rely on Synology DiskStation to save documents, collaborate on projects, and ensure centralized storage for work files. With its beautiful operating system, large storage capacity, and included backup solutions, this product earns praise from users who appreciate its seamless file sharing capabilities, easy access to files, and speed of file transfer.
Easy-to-use Interface: Many users have praised the simplicity and intuitiveness of the storage controls' user interface, finding it easy to navigate and manage their files efficiently.
Convenient Remote Access: Several reviewers have mentioned that the built-in DDNS/QuickConnect tool provided by the product makes it effortless to access their files and data remotely, adding a level of convenience and ease of use to their experience.
Competitive Pricing: A significant number of users have found the price of the unit itself to be very competitive compared to other options they considered. They consider it a cost-effective solution for their storage needs, making it an attractive choice.
Lack of Timely Updates: Several users have expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates for the next operating system, with some stating that they have been waiting for over 2 years. This indicates a significant delay in delivering new features and improvements to customers.
Inconsistent Customer Support: According to multiple reviewers, customer support from Synology is inconsistent and unreliable, varying depending on the nature of the problem. Some users have reported difficulties in getting prompt and effective assistance, which can be frustrating when encountering issues or needing technical help.
Cumbersome Reporting Process: Many users find the reporting process in Synology software to be cumbersome due to the excessive number of reports. This makes it difficult to manage them efficiently and slows down productivity.
Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(1-5 of 5)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
We utilized Synology DiskStation as NAS to replace the Windows file server on our smaller sites. It has helped us reduce the need to set up a server for smaller offices. We were also able to utilize the built-in and free backup solution Hyperbackup to backup to the cloud (either AWS or Azure) and reduced the need to purchase a backup solution, tapes, and the need for an offsite tape repository for data air gaping. We have also used it as a SAN on or DEV/QA VMWare cluster as well as a medium office. It provided us with a cost-effective solution for medium-sized offices that did not require enterprise-level SAN solutions using iSCSI. Finally, we had used it as a backup server replacing our previous tape drive solution. Using the Synology Diskstation has allowed us to forgo having to purchase tapes and offsite storage facilities for them. We use Synology's Active Backup for Business to backup the data. As an added bonus, backups are deduped allowing more backup frequency. Furthermore using Hyperbackup to send the data to either AWS or Azure provides us an offsite data repository for our backups.
- Synology's NAS feature provides cost-effective and flexible file server solutions. The ability to expand the array dynamically is a great feature. It helps reduce the footprint needed when setting up a small office.
- The Hyperback utility is a flexible and powerful backup solution. It can backup the NAS shares as well as other components of the DiskStation. It provides the option to replicate the data to another Synology as well as to the cloud. It is compatible with AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.
- Active Backup for Business is another great backup solution that is available on Synology. It can be used to back up a physical server, VMWare virtual machines, SMB shares, etc. It can do deduplication, reducing the required storage for backups and allowing for more iterations.
- A more robust search feature in Filestation. It is sometimes difficult to search for files in the DiskStation.
- Improvement on the clustered NAS setup. We've had headaches after setting up a NAS cluster. Once in a while, it goes haywire and we have to figure out if there is any data loss.
- Better support process now that they are delving into more enterprise solutions. Having the ability to call support instead of e-mails would be great especially on critical issues.
- Expand dual controller options for the DiskStation.
- The ability of the DiskStation to function as a NAS and to be used a file server.
- The ability to expand the DiskStation file system without downtime when additional space is required. We just added a drive and were able to expand the files system.
- Hyperbackup is great to back up the shares on the NAS and the ability to connect it to the cloud to air gap the backups was a bonus.
- Active Backup for Business allowed us to back up physical servers, VMWare, etc. It also comes with the DiskStation without the need to purchase it.
- The SAN feature using iSCSI is a great feature when you just need a cost-effective solution.
- The ROI is great on the NAS solutions compared to purchasing a server to be set up as a file server.
- Active Backup for business backup utility gave us a great ROI compared to the traditional tape backup solution we used to have.
- The ability to air gap our backups to the cloud provided great ROI instead of purchasing tapes and setting to rent or utilize offsite storage for our data.
- The SAN solution also provided a great ROI compared to for example the HPE MSA SAN line.
We had used an HPE MSA for one of our offices, the ROI was not as good as the Synology DiskStation due to the price. It required more of a setup needing to have a Windows OS to manage it. While the DiskStation just needed a few clicks to set up. There was no additional software that came with it such as Hyperbackup. We needed to purchase a backup solution on top of the MSA purchase. There were just more features on the Synology that gave it a leg up in terms of ROI compared to the HPE solution.
600
They represent users using the Synology NAS as a file server. We have 6-8 small offices that do not hear an enterprise server to function as their file server, the Synology fits their small office needs without a major investment in equipment. IT people using Synology as a SAN for their VMWare environment. This includes 3-4 medium-sized offices that have about 5-10 virtual machines in their environment. As the backup solution to 2-3 of our medium offices that do not have VMWare, it gives them a great ROI compared to traditional tape-based backup solutions.
8
The infrastructure group provides setup and tier-three support for the
Synology's be it the NAS, SAN, or backup solutions. Using the Synology as
a NAS requires minimum support from the local office, only requiring
connectivity to the device. We are able to configure the unit remotely
completely. Synology has a DiskStation discovery tool to set up the
array, configure the IP, etc. The skill required to support Synology
DiskStation is network understanding. Experience with network file
shares. A background in backup concepts and cloud concepts especially in
setting up AWS buckets, Azure blob storage, etc.
- Utilizing Synology DiskStation as a NAS appliance for users file server.
- SAN functionally using iSCSi for smaller VMWare ESXi implementation.
- Using Hyperback to backup NAS file shares and copy the data to the cloud provides to air gap the data.
- Active Backup for Business to backup physical systems, VMWare virtual machines, etc.
- Synology DiskStation enabled us to utilize Azure to copy data and sunset our physical tapes and offsite tape repository.
- Active Backup for business gave us great ROI compared to traditional tape library solutions. Eliminating the need to purchase tapes and worry about tape rot.
- Great ROI for smaller offices. No need to purchase expensive servers using Windows. Also eliminates the need to purchase a Windows server license for the operating system.
- With the implementation of dual controller setups. We would probably start to utilize it for more critical applications in a SAN capacity, giving us better ROI compared to other SAN solutions.
- We will be setting it up to provide our MAC users with their own file server. Previously we would either use a MAC server or an application providing MAC file structure emulation.
- Utilize multiple Synology for data replication between offices.
October 19, 2021
Synology DiskStation is a best in class NAS system with the power and features to do so much more
Synology DiskStation is being used for multiple purposes across multiple organizations. The primary use is as a generic file server, but it is also being used as an all-in-one photo management solution (utilizing Synology's PhotoStation or Synology Photos in the latest version of DiskStation), a VPN server (either L2TP or OpenVPN), and an Active Directory Server. It is also used to host virtual machines to handle functions that the DiskStation can't handle natively (such as running a QuickBooks database, Ubiquiti UniFi Controller, etc.)
- Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) provides a robust RAID experience with multiple RAID types available, including Synology's own RAID implementation (Synology Hybrid RAID - SHR)
- DSM includes a full-blown app ecosystem to extend its functionality beyond its built-in features.
- Synology is constantly updating DSM with not only performance, bug and security fixes but with major changes as well. In fact, the newest version of DSM, DSM 7, was just recently released.
- The same version of DSM comes with all of Synology NAS products, from simple single drive models all the way up to enterprise-grade models with upwards of 20 drive bays.
- DSM is not just a simple firmware OS, it is a full-blown Linux OS with all the features and benefits (and pitfalls) that entails.
- The default file system for DSM is BTRFS. BTRFS provides some advanced functionality (such as snapshots, bit rot protection and compression) over Linux's default ext4 filesystem.
- While BTRFS is a more advanced file system than ext4, it also is in a perpetual state of development, with many features not fully functional and a plethora of bugs. Synology has managed to overcome many of these limitations by placing BTRFS on top of a LVM, but there are much better file systems that Synology could have used, such as OpenZFS.
- DSM's built-in backup software, HyperBackup, while robust, oftentimes runs into issues. Specifically, backups can be working fine for months or years, and then suddenly the backups will fail. Sometimes these failures can be resolved, but oftentimes the backups need to be completely restarted. Fortunately, even when the backup fails, the existing backups are still accessible, it is just that new backups can not be performed.
- The underlying Linux OS provides significant benefits, but also adds a fair amount of complexity. Most of that complexity is wonderfully hidden by the DSM interface, but when certain problems arise, delving into the Linux command line is not out of the question.
- Perhaps the biggest issue with Synology DiskStation is Synology's support. The issue isn't that the support is bad, but it can be frustratingly slow when dealing with a major issue. Synology does have a very active community that is always willing to help, but nothing beats first-party support.
- Robust RAID support and hot swappable hard drives
- Easy backups via built-in HyperBackup
- Ability to fully replicate a file system from one NAS to another using the snapshot feature of BTRFS and Synology's built-in replication service.
- A robust app ecosystem allowing you to expand the functionality of your NAS, including a VPN server, a virtual machine manager (with the ability to run Windows OS'), a full-featured Dropbox-style service in Synology Drive, a Google Apps style service in Synology Office, Docker, and a plethora of other first-party AND third-part app packages.
- With as feature rich and flexible as DSM is, it is shockingly easy to use.
- The initial cost of Synology DiskStation can be substantial (in the thousand of $ depending on the type of NAS and number and type of hard drives used). But once set up, maintenance costs are minimal.
- When using Synology DiskStation has a cloud server (akin to say Dropbox), once the initial setup is done, there are no monthly costs regardless of the number of users.
- Synology DiskStation does require some amount of IT knowledge and the ability to maintain and troubleshoot when issues may arise. For small businesses with little or no IT knowledge, Synology may simply cost too much in unavailable man-hours.
Synology DiskStation is by far the best all-around NAS solution on the market. QNAP provides more hardware variability and some better prices, but QNAP's OS, QT, is simply not as good as Synology's DSM OS. FreeNAS is an extremely powerful and robust open-source NAS solution that can be installed on generic hardware but is extremely complex and difficult to set up. TerraMaster provides some budget-friendly NAS hardware, but the TerraMaster OS, TNAS, leaves a lot to be desired.
Yes
QNAP, TerraMaster and FreeNAS were all considered. In the end, Synology simply had the best feature set and ease of use that it was a no brainer. QNAP is still a viable alternative if
October 06, 2021
Great Software for Team Collaboration + File Sharing!
Synology is used across our company. We all use this as a way to save documents, projects, important information that have been given by a client or created by our teams. It is used by everyone as a way to collaborate on all the projects we have going on. We use Synology DiskStation on a daily basis, so it is the lifeline of our work. It solved the issue of having multiple projects going on at different stages in different departments and needing a central place to save our work and documents so nothing is missed.
- Synology DiskStation offers lots of options for creating links to share files or request that some uploads files. It makes it really easy to just share a link that can have an expiration or a set number of times it is accessed.
- We always had enough storage on our Synology DiskStation, we never had to worry about something being too big to upload or share.
- Love how you can create folders that are shared and also have some that are private. This makes it so easy to have shared collaborations with coworkers or clients, but also allows you to have a private place to save things that only you need.
- There were a few funny glitches that would happen sometimes when I would interact with the interface on a browser. Sometimes if you didn't click the box just right it would automatically closeout or take you back a bunch of steps/folders.
- I would not get notified when things were uploaded. I tried to find the setting that would notify but was never able to. This made it hard to know when things were added without constantly checking.
- Just a small thing, but sometimes it took a while for things to sync, so if one team member would upload it would take a while for it to show up on my end. This wasn't always happening but did occasionally.
- That you can collaborate with multiple people.
- That is it secure way to save and share documents.
- That you can set up different folders and vaults that different people can have access to.
- It has helped us go from printing things out to file them away to going 100% digital with our files and documents because we have a secure place to save stuff.
- We are organized. I can't really put a value or number to how amazing this is for us, but when we deal with so many documents and files it can be so hard to keep things organized, but with Synology DiskStation, we have all our files in specific places and it helps us stay organized and definitely saves time because things are so easy to find.
- One negative thing has been that our Synology DiskStation relies on us either being plugged into the network in the office or having a strong internet connection at home. With the pandemic and everyone working from home, we have had "outages" where we were not able to sync our data, and things were lost and we had to start over.
- Dropbox and Google Drive
When we were making a decision on what to go with we looked at storage capacity, extra features offered, package deals, and overall cost. When we considered Dropbox, it felt like it was too much for how much we would get and that we needed some growing to do before we moved forward with Dropbox. Google Drive, was not enough space and not nearly as organized as we needed, we started with it but we quickly outgrew it and our needs led us to Synology DiskStation.
April 22, 2020
Smart move which continues to pay dividends
We have two Synology DiskStations. One we use in our production environment as network file storage for all of our users as well as a general file share. The other we use as offsite backup. We take our Virtual Servers VHDs and back them up there. Using Rsync we also backup our on-prem Synology.
- Software interface is not overwhelming and relatively easy to use.
- Reliable. Never have any issues with it.
- Pricing. Much less expensive than other options we looked at.
- It's different than a Microsoft solution - things laid out differently.
- Meets our needs so hard to identify examples of improvement.
- ROI is high since the cost is much less than other products and dramatically cheaper than a SAN.
- Very little support needed - I spend hardly any time doing support on the device.
We transitioned from a standard Windows File Server. This solution is much cheaper. Easy to use and extremely reliable. We will be replacing our two Synology boxes in 2020 with newer versions.
50
Our entire operation uses it. Everyone has a shared folder on Synology.
1
Basic IT skills
- File Server
- VM offsite backup
- General file storage
November 07, 2019
Synology NAS - Perfect, low-maintenance network storage solution!
We use this as NAS to store off-site backups in a data centre. All we need for this purpose is straightforward network storage and it carries out this function perfectly with very little maintenance needed.The built-in functionality which comes as standard give some useful features and, in the past, I have used a variety of these tools from Surveillance Station to the built-in web server.
- Out-of-the-box RAID configuration.
- Loads of built-in applications.
- Security - lots of features that can be enabled including MFA.
- It would be nice to see a slightly better hardware spec for RAM and processor. Using the web interface can be slow sometimes.
- We occasional get issues with iSCSI connections after firmware update. Not a huge issue as we know to check but would be nice if resolved.
- Positive impact of ROI as very little maintenance needed once configured and good value for money when purchased.
- As we use it as part of the backup solution it fits the business requirement perfectly for network-attached storage.
Synology stacks up very well against the QNAP and the Nexsan. We used to find the Nexsan was very power-hungry in the data centre as well as being very loud to run. We still run a QNAP in our environment which works in a very similar way and with a similar interface as Synology however we find Synology to be more reliable overall with less maintenance needed.