Synology America DiskStation 1-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS115J)

The Synology DS115j is a feature-rich NAS server that you can use to store and backup documents or setup a personal cloud. In addition, it is affordable, making it the ideal NAS server for a startup business or a SMB. With that in mind, here is a review of the Synology Disk Station DS115j:

Design and Construction

In terms of design, the DS115j is a compact and lightweight NAS server. The exterior of this server is made of a glossy white plastic external casing stamped with the Synology logo, which acts as an air vent. The rubber stubs on the base are also a notable feature. The server has one blue power indicator light at the front as well as three green status, disk, and network lights. On the hardware front, the DS115j has a Marvell Armada 370 processor that runs at 800 MHz, 256 MB DDR3 RAM, hardware encryption engine, and 8 MB of flash memory. This NAS server accepts hard disks with storage capacity of up to 6TB. According to the manufacturer, it is very energy efficient consuming only 3.85W when idle and 12.6W when in use.

Synology America DiskStation 1-Bay Network Attached Storage (DS115J)

List Price:$129.99

Price:$139.81

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Dimensions

Measuring only 9 × 3 × 7 inches, this server takes minimal shelf or floor space.

Weight

The Synology DS115j weighs just 1.6 pounds making it easy to lift with one hand.

Number of Hard Drive Bays

This network attached storage device has only one hard drive bay that can fit a 2.5-inch or 3.5¬-inch disk. Installing a hard disk in this bay is easy because the SATA connectors are easily accessible. Moreover, there are two hard disk mounting bars with holes for screws. If you opt to install a 2.5-inch hard disk, you will only need one screw. It is advisable to screw a hard disk to prevent it from sliding/moving around if you pick up your DS115j server.

Expandability

The DS115j has two USB 2.0 ports and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port. It supports myriad network protocols such as PPTP, PPPoE, FTP, POP3, SMFTP, and DDNS. This is in addition to remote management protocols (HTTP, SNMP, HTTTPS, SSH, and Telnet), data link protocols (10 MB LAN, 100Mb LAN, and GigE), as well as network services compatibility using Apple File Protocol (AFP), Microsoft CIFS, Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV), and Network File System (NFS).

Software Features

This NAS server runs Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) making it easy to access and share documents. Furthermore, it has Synology’s Antivirus Essential to keep cybercriminals at bay. Other software modules include iTunes media server, VPN server, Synology’s QuickConnect, Synology’s MyDS service, DLNA digital media server, as well as tools for managing downloads via BitTorrent or FTP. It is worth noting that this server supports Joomla, Drupal, and WordPress.

Speed

According to a speed test carried out by Tech Radar, the Synology DS115j NAS server achieved speeds of 46MB/sec while uploading and 51MB/sec while downloading content. A 2×HD test, which is equivalent to playing two HD movies simultaneously, achieved speeds of 102MB/sec. However, Content Creation and Photo Editing speeds were relatively low at 8.9MB/sec and 8.5MB/sec respectively.

Additional Features and Specifications

This NAS server supports file sharing across operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux. Moreover, the manufacturer has developed various mobile apps that you can download and use to access/manage content from your smartphone/tablet.

Pros

Firstly, consumers get a feature-rich product that includes downloadable apps. Secondly, it is energy efficient and quiet.

Cons

No USB 3.0 ports.

Consumer Ratings

Consumers seem to agree that this NAS server offers great value for money. However, setup can be tricky especially when initializing via the web.

Price

Prices for this server range from $129 to $140. Some online retailers, such as Amazon, offer free shipping.

Final Word

If you would like to build a personal cloud where you can store text and video files, go for the Synology DS115j Disk Station NAS device. It can store up to 6TB of content and comes with Synology’s award winning DiskStation Manager (DSM). You can also manage content via downloadable apps.Its hard disk bay can only accommodate one 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch disk.