If you are thinking about buying or have just bought a NAS server for your home or small business, sometimes knowing what steps to take to get your NAS world off to the right start is a bit difficult - the choices seem overwhelming and the information is often written for people who have a great deal of experience in the realm of information technology. To fill the gap needed for newcomers, Synology
I've mentioned before that Synology has a great series of tutorials about how to set up and use a NAS server. The "getting started" page includes useful information needed by a truly new NAS user including a description of just what a NAS is:
Your data collection grows everyday- songs and movies you download, documents you create, and photos you upload. How do you store it all while still protecting it from technology failure? In its simplest form, a Network Attached Storage (NAS) unit is a device connected to a network (using your internet connection) that provides centralized data storage services as well as automated backup protection.
The "getting started" page also provides a link to a page that gives more detail about what Synology NAS servers can do. This page has a great description of the differences between different NAS classes in the Synology NAS server line:
First, to identify how many bays the model accepts, just look at the first number in the model. For example, the DS111 accepts one hard drive, while the DS411+ accepts four hard drives.
Next, there are three performance categories in the Synology DiskStation product family, denoted by how the model number ends:
- The "j" series is the entry-level model and is good for budget conscious consumers who are not concerned with performance. (Example model numbers: DS110j, DS211j, etc.)
- The standard workgroup series has no additional characters at the end of the model number and this line is where performance and price meet in the middle. (Example model numbers: DS211, DS411)
- The "+" series are business-class models. This line is designed for heavy business use where performance is critical (Example model numbers: DS1511+, RS810RP+)
Synology DiskStations currently (as of 2011) are designed in native 1, 2, 4, 5, and 12 bay models with multiple configurations within each bay group. Synology also offers a 4 bay and 10 bay rack mount systems denoted by the "RS" at the beginning of the model number.
I think the Synology guides and tutorials are great places to start if you are thinking about buying a NAS or have just bought a new one.
Related articles
- What Hard Drive Is Best for My Synology NAS? (nas-pro.com)
- Synology Expansion Unit DX510 (nas-pro.com)
( Leave a Comment )