Synology NAS Buying Guide

A Synology NAS is a network-connected storage system that keeps files on drives you control and makes them available to authorised users and devices. DiskStation and RackStation models run DiskStation Manager (DSM), while BeeStation uses a simpler software experience. Available applications and limits vary by model.

For simple family photos, files and computer backups, begin with BeeStation or a two-bay DiskStation. Choose a four-bay model when you want more capacity flexibility, additional RAID choices or more room to grow. The required applications and backup plan matter more than bay count alone.

A small business commonly starts with a four- or five-bay Plus or neo+ DiskStation when it needs shared files, endpoint backup and room to grow. Check user count, memory, network speed, application support and expected storage growth. RackStation may be better when the business already uses a server rack.

BeeStation is a simplified personal cloud with built-in storage. DiskStation is the desktop NAS range and normally runs DSM. RackStation is designed for rack installation in server rooms and communications cabinets. The right family depends on the required applications, form factor, redundancy and expansion plan.

Diskless means hard drives or SSDs are not included unless the product listing clearly says otherwise. Compatible drives must be purchased, installed and configured before normal use. BeeStation products include built-in storage.

Two bays suit many homes and small offices that want one-drive redundancy. Four bays provide more storage and RAID flexibility. Five to eight bays suit larger datasets, more users and longer growth plans. Also allow for the capacity used by redundancy, snapshots and free-space headroom.

Synology Hybrid RAID is a storage layout designed to simplify drive management. SHR-1 can tolerate one drive failure and SHR-2 can tolerate two when the NAS and drive count support it. Usable capacity depends on the selected drives and configuration.

No. RAID or SHR can help a compatible multi-drive system remain available after a drive failure, but it does not protect against deletion, ransomware, theft, fire, flood or every hardware failure. Keep at least one separate backup, preferably with another copy off-site or in a suitable cloud service.

SHR can use mixed drive capacities more flexibly than many traditional RAID layouts, but usable capacity depends on the combination and order of drives. Plan the final target capacity before buying and check the exact NAS drive-compatibility requirements.

Drive requirements depend on the exact NAS model. Check Synology's compatibility list and the individual DeviceDeal product page before purchase. Do not assume that every SATA HDD or SSD provides full support or functionality in every Synology system.

Current paired DS725, DS925, DS1525 and DS1825 Plus and neo+ models share the main platform, bay count and networking. Plus models ship with ECC memory, while neo+ models ship with a more accessible non-ECC memory configuration. Compare installed memory and compatible upgrades for the exact model.

DiskStation Manager is Synology's browser-based operating system for DiskStation and RackStation. It manages storage, users, permissions, updates and compatible applications. Package availability, supported features and performance limits vary by NAS model and DSM version.

Eligible Synology models can use backup packages for supported Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints, physical servers, virtual machines and selected SaaS workloads. Confirm platform support, licensing and workload limits for the selected NAS and current DSM package version.

Synology Drive can provide private file access, synchronisation, sharing and version history on a compatible DSM system. It can reduce reliance on public cloud storage, but internet bandwidth, security, administration and a separate backup remain your responsibility.

Synology Photos can back up photos and videos from supported mobile devices and organise them on a compatible DSM system. Features and performance depend on the NAS, DSM version, mobile app and indexing workload. Keep a separate backup of important photo libraries.

Not always. NVMe cache is most useful for repeated random-access workloads such as busy databases, virtual machines or many users opening small files. Basic backup and large sequential file storage may benefit less. M.2 functions and compatible SSDs are model-specific.

1GbE is suitable for basic backup and light file access. 2.5GbE provides more transfer headroom when the NAS, switch and client devices all support it. Consider 10GbE or faster for large creative files, virtualisation or heavier multi-user workloads, subject to model support.

Expansion units are model-specific. Current DS725+, DS925+, DS1525+ and DS1825+ families use the DX525, while older systems may use a different expansion unit such as the DX517. Confirm the exact NAS and expansion-unit compatibility before ordering.

Compatible Synology systems can run Surveillance Station for camera recording, live viewing, playback and notifications. Camera limits, analytics and device-licence requirements depend on the NAS, camera models and recording settings. Calculate retention capacity before choosing drives.

List the data stored today, annual growth, retention period and backup copies, then add space for redundancy, snapshots and future growth. Raw drive capacity is not the same as usable capacity. Use a RAID calculator and leave operational free space rather than sizing the system to be full on day one.