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Synology DiskStation a Versatile Solution That Provides Excellent ROI!
Updated February 24, 2022

Synology DiskStation a Versatile Solution That Provides Excellent ROI!

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Synology DiskStation

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.

Do you think Synology DiskStation delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Synology DiskStation's feature set?

Yes

Did Synology DiskStation live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Synology DiskStation go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Synology DiskStation again?

Yes

The Synology DiskStation is well suited as a NAS solution, easy enough to mirror a Windows file server shares setup. Access to the Hyperbackup utility eliminates the need to purchase a tape backup solution. A portable USB drive can be used as the initial backup target. For air gap purposes can connect Hyperbackup to the various cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, GCP to copy backup data there. Utilizing it as a backup solution has also been great, instead of purchasing a tape solution, tapes and an offsite tape repository. Active Backup for Business is another excellent backup utility for physical servers, VMWare virtual machines, etc. Restoring files is fairly intuitive. Until Synology introduced the dual controller setup, using it as a SAN was less appropriate as there was occasional downtime when the controller had an issue but this was less important for the scenarios we were using it for. It would be more of a concern if we had used it for things that require more robust uptime requirements. Overall we are happy with the features of the Synology DiskStation.

Using Synology DiskStation

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.
It provides us with great ROI compared with other solutions. It is also a versatile product, having NAS and SAN product lines depending on the business requirement. Furthermore, the implementation of dual controller lines would allow us to consider it for more critical applications to supplement the more enterprise-level SAN solution. It also is a wonderful backup solution, having all the applications available after purchase of the appliance without the further need to purchase additional software or licensing.