Synology ds1512+ NAS
UPDATE #2: Synology issues press release about the problem and a fix.
[I have provided a quick update of the DS1512+ (and DS1812+) problem here.]
I am a big fan of the Synology NAS's - for a long time a Synology NAS has been my number 1 recommendation for a home or small business NAS device. The combination of price, performance and features makes them pretty much ideal if you are willing to pay the premium for a pre-built NAS. I've especially liked the DS1010+ and its successors because of the size and expandability plus the speediness of file transfers. I like Synology products so much that I personally am running two DS1010+ units, each with one 5 disk expansion unit (the DX510).
However, the new Synology DS1512+ seems to be suffering from some teething problems. Folks on various review sites and Synology's own forum are reporting failure to reboot properly within a few days to a few weeks of putting the NAS into service. This has gone so far that the term "blue blink of death" has been applied - related to the blue light on the front of the NAS that blinks indicating a boot problem.
One reviewer on Amazon summed up his thoughts as follows:
But, none of them has the DS1512+, which is (at the time I purchased my unit 3 weeks ago) pretty new. A number of people have told me they have had zero problems with the DS1511+ and I assumed the DS1512+ would be even better. Apparently, though, now that I have purchased the product I see from the Amazon.com reviews and the Synology company's own user forum that lots of custoers are having problems with this new model so I have to assume some design or supply chain issue. I am hopeful it will be corrected soon because the feature set and the functionality (when it was working) seemed pretty great.
For those shopping for NASes, I suggest either getting a different model (The 1511+ is still on the market or there are other manufacturers), or wait until this new model gets the kinks worked out.
Source: Amazon
As I mentioned, this problem is being discussed on the Synology forum as well. One post mentioned that it looks like there is a manufacturing defect that has affected the motherboards of this unit. However, note that there are only a few people who have reported the problem on the forum - so it is unclear exactly how widespread the issue is.
So, for now, I am recommending that readers of this site hold off purchasing the Synology DS1512+ until a fix is announced and fielded. Please note that there is no evidence that other Synology NAS devices are affected - only the brand new DS1512+ seems to be hit by the problem.
I will post back here as soon as a fix is reported or if I hear anything new.
Sean says
I’m having issues with the DS412+. I think there is a raid controller issue. My raid keeps breaking even though I do not have any volumes established. Been struggling with it for a week now. Customer service is uneven. I get one email a night with a short answer.
Nas Pro Admin says
Sean, certainly the customer service at Synology is taking a beating on their forum. Hopefully, they will get their act together. I haven’t heard of any other problems with the DS421+, though.
Ericdano says
And Synology doesn’t seem to reply to forum posts and does not do support on the weekends (no email nor phone). And that is a huge problem.
Ericdano says
Actually, there was one or perhaps two people in the synology forum with ds1812+ units that have the same issue (blinking blue light after reboot)
Carlton Bale says
This problem also affects the new DS1812+, which uses almost identical hardware.
The most frustrating part is that this was first reported a few weeks ago and Synology has yet to publicly acknowledge the problem or even say they are working on it. Many are also frustrated at the slow response to their support requests and the cumbersome RMA process.
I was getting ready to purchase one; I hope this issue is resolved soon or else I’ll look elsewhere.
D says
They have finally acknowledged an issue in Twitter replies.
https://twitter.com/#!/Synology/status/188324185276297216
https://twitter.com/#!/Synology/status/188323114537598977
Nas Pro (Bill) says
Certainly seems to be a good sign. Hope the fix arrives quickly. Synology NAS’s are among the price/performance leaders in pre-built machines…
wookie says
Hi. I have the exact same issue after upgrading my DS1010+ to the DSM version 4.0. Restarting the device appears BBOD. I never had problems before in other updates or performance. After long wait, be patient and not touch it, I could access the NAS. There was a notice of cohesion (unfortunately not note exact message). Sorry for the translation by google translator.
Nas Pro (Bill) says
I upgraded my both of my DS1010+ devices to the 4 version of DSM. Both rebooted fine. I doubt that this is the same problem as others are having – I haven’t seen any other reports of upgrade issue with the older models. Hopefully, yours is working fine now.
Jared says
Bought the DS1512+ about a week ago. Upgraded to DSM 4.0 and started off with 3 disks. Copied a bunch of data to it and let it run for a few days. Rebooted the thing and it rebooted just fine, so I added 2 more disks and expanded the original volume (which took ~30 hours). Left for a day out of town and the thing is on, but unresponsive. I can ping it, but that’s it. Tried rebooting it and now BSOD. FML.
Steve says
This definitely changes my plans. I was about to buy a 1512+, but this issue paired with the apparent lack of attention from Synology kills it for me.
Ericdano says
Yeah, one reboot…..and it dies. It’s like Russian roulette with the device.
Synology also supposedly says its a software issue and is NOT RMAing hardware. But they haven’t said when a fix is coming. So…..looks like most owners are screwed. Terrible support. I mean, I can’t think of any more ways they could screw up. They don’t reply to their forum. They take forever to get back to you via email. They haven’t publicly issued a statement unless you want to count two @ replies on twitter.
If my RMA unit that comes today has the same problem, I’m going on a net vendetta against them.
Tom says
I just ordered one from Amazon. Now I’m really concerned and wondering if I should cancel. I was watching for about a year and waiting for them to upgrade to USB3. Should I cancel my Amazon order?
Tom says
Another question and this is what concerns me the most. Does this problem result in data loss? the reason I ordered it is because I have a large number of drives filled with Hi-Def home movies which are irreplaceable i.e. all the kids hockey, lacrosse, soccer games, dance recitals, holidays etc etc. It is sounding more and more as if I should not buy Synology.
Simon le Bon says
Wether you have a NAS or not, ALWAYS create back ups of stuff that you don’t want to loose. Preferably stored in another physical location. I.E. on optical media stored in anther house.
Every machine can fail, all it takes is time. Nice to have a three year waranty, but who cares about waranty when your data is lost?
Not only that, but what if someone accidentally deletes stuff?
A NAS is NOT a back up, it only makes stuff easier to access.
Simon le Bon says
@Ericdano, there are worse things in the world happening. Kids die, people starve and you start a vendetta because the manufacturer of one of your electronic machines does not respond fast enough?
Practice some patience. I’m confident that Synology is doing everything within it’s possibilities to solve this issue.
Furthermore, most owners are satisfied, this problem seems to affect a few.
Use your energy to ban some real issues in this world instead of whining.
J says
This issue has been publicly announced its a hardware flash problem.
Info is here:
http://www.synology.com/support/news.php?lang=enu&news_id=338
I agree @Ericdano needs to calm down. Tons of new devices come out every year and some of the time the first production run has issues. We choose to be the first to have the new model so we rode the risk. I agree its pathetic that Synology didn’t come out sooner and that their support isn’t 24×7 especially since they say they are business products but they finally did and their email response has been pretty much next business day.