Synology DS207+ NAS Server

Introduction

Published: 12th October 2008 | Source: Synology | Price: £203.26 | Author: Matthew Fogg

Introduction

The lure of Network Address Storage (NAS) has advanced significantly in recent times and is increasingly finding its way into the homes of general PC users like you and I. Traditionally NAS storage has had its roots deeply entrenched within the realm of Enterprise, but its appeal to the end user has a simple and effective formula for success, a formula based upon: cost of acquisition; cost to deploy and a cost to manage.

Cost of acquisition - NAS appliances are essentially disk arrays combined with a kernel operating system optimized for network connectivity and storage. The price per megabyte is relatively low, so the costs of adding additional drives or an additional server are usually reasonable.

Cost to deploy - NAS does not require connection to a server HBA. It connects directly to a network. Deployment of NAS can be 'plug-and-play' with common IP services such as the Dynamic Name Service (DNS). NAS servers usually come pre-configured to support NFS and CIFS and typically require only a few minutes of configuration. In the most complex instances, additional configuration steps may be required (e.g., to create virtual volumes or to customize RAID configurations). However, these steps are usually performed offline and before device installation. No downtime is associated with deployment of a network-attached storage appliance.

Cost to manage - Most NAS servers feature their own management utilities. Many products can also be monitored and managed via standard SNMP-based network management systems already in use. In short, NAS deployments do not require additional IT personnel skills or new storage management programs.

If you're like me and want to have your storage 'cake and eat it too', then the appeal of simply acquiring a new and larger HDD to cope with your storage needs just doesn't cut it any more. I want speed, configurability and security to manage files on my own home network, but all wrapped up in a reasonably priced solution. Enter the Synology NAS server, or more specifically the Synology Disk Station DS207+, which is the subject of today's review.

Synology Inc. is a Taiwanese based company that specialises in next generation Network Attached Storage servers for the international market. Providing a secure way of storing and sharing digital content, Synology products are stylish in appearance, compact in size and energy efficient. This makes the Synology product an ideal choice for the Home, Small Business and Corporate setting. Let's hear what Synology has to say about their DS207+:

DS207+ is designed with Windows ADS authentication, USB printer sharing, dynamic website hosting, and data backup. The ultra-high- density file storing capability gives business users the freedom to store twice as much data. With the RAID 1 protection, DS207+ can further prevent data loss from inevitable disaster.

Let's begin today's review by taking a look at the vast, but impressive features of the DS207+. The specifications were unashamedly taken from Synology's product page.

Hardware
* CPU Clock Rate: 500 MHz
* RAM Size: 128MB
* Internal HDD: 3.5” SATA(II) X2
* External HDD Interface: USB 2.0 port X3, eSATA port X1
* Size: 160mm X 218mm X 88mm
* Weight: 0.98kg
* LAN: Gigabit X1
* Fan: X1(60mmX60mm)
* Power Recovery
* AC Input Power Voltage: 100V to 240V
* Power Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, Single Phase
* Max Capacity (Internal HDD): 2 TB (See All Supported HDD)
* Max Supported IP Camera: 5 (See All Supported IP Cameras)
* Operating Temperature: 5°C to 35°C (40°F to 95°F)
* Storage Temperature: -10°C to 70°C (15°F to 155°F)
* Relative Humidity: 5% to 95%RH
* Maximum Operating Altitude: 10,000 feet

Power Consumption
* 32.76W(Access);
11.04W(Hibernation)

Certification
* FCC Class B, CE Class B

Networking Protocols
* CIFS
* AFP (3.1)
* FTP

Windows ADS Domain Integration
* ADS Support
* Domain users login via Samba/AFP/FTP
* Synology Data Replicator 3 for Domain Users

Security
* "FTP over SSL (explicit)" or "FTP over TLS (explicit)"
* Encrypted Network Backup
* HTTPS Connection
* FTP Auto-Block

File System
* EXT3
* FAT (External Disk Only)
* NTFS (External Disk Read Only)

File Sharing
* Max User Accounts: 128
* Max Groups: 64
* Max Shared Folder: 100
* Max Concurrent Connections: 32

Utilities
* Synology Assistant
* Synology Data Replicator 3
* Synology Download Redirector
* Add printer wizard

Applications
* Surveillance StationNew!
* Photo Station 3New!
* File Station
* Audio Station
* Web Station
* PHP/MySQL
* Download Station
* iTunes Server

UPnP Multimedia Service Support
* Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox360 (See All Supported DMA)
* Audio Format: AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, WMA, WMA VBR, WMA PRO, WMA Lossless
* Video Format: ASF, AVI, DAT, DivX, MP4, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, VOB, WMV, XviD
* Image Format: BMP, JPG (jpe, jpeg), GIF, ICO, PNG, PSD, TIF (tiff), UFO
* Playlist Format: WPL, M3U

iTunes Server Support
* Audio Format: MP3, M4A(4), M4P(4)
* Playlist Format: M3U, WPL

Audio Station Support
* Audio Format: AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, WMA VBR
* Playlist Format: M3U, WPL
* Internet Radio: SHOUTcast, Radioio

Photo Station 3 Support
* Video Format: ASF, AVI, MPEG1, MPEG4, WMV, XviD, DivX, DAT(2), MP4(2), MPEG2(2), RM(2), RMVB(2), VOB(2)
* Image Format: BMP, JPG (jpe, jpeg), GIF

Management
* AJAX-based Management UI
* BitTorrent Port Range Setup
* BitTorrent DHT Support
* CIFS Recycle Bin
* Download Station Bandwidth control
* Download Station Port Range Setup
* Editable HTTP Error Page
* Email Alert Message
* Email Notification for New User
* External HDD Hibernation (eSATA, USB)
* Scheduled Power Off
* Firmware Upgrade
* FTP passive port range
* Hide-able Shared Folder
* Internal HDD Hibernation
* Movable Shared Folder
* Removable Default Shared Folder
* Ez-Internet
* PPPoE
* Telnet/SSH Support
* UPS Management (Over USB 2.0)
* User Quota
* Web-based Download Station

RAID Management
* Volume Type: Basic, RAID 0, RAID 1
* Upgrade from Basic to RAID 1
* Expand RAID 1 with Larger Hard Drives

Backup Solutions
* Network Backup
* Local Backup
* Desktop Backup (using Synology Data Replicator 3)
* USB Copy

3rd-Party Backup Support
* Acronis True Image
* Symantec Backup Exec
* EMC Retrospect
* LaCie SilverKeeper (Details)

Supported Clients
* Windows 2000 onward
* Mac OS X 10.3 onward

Printer Support
* Max Printer #: 1
* Supported Protocols: LPR, CIFS, AppleTalk

Languages
* English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese.

Environment
* RoHS Compliant

The Synology Disk Station DS207+ boasts an impressive specification list, as I'm sure that you'll all agree. It provides everything and more that a small business would want want in a NAS server, bar hot-swappable SATA drives. Should you want that as a feature, you will need to upgrade to one of Synology's purely business NAS servers. So without further ado, let's head over the page to see how the unit arrived at my place...

Most Recent Comments

12-10-2008, 11:20:27

PV5150

Looking to take the leap towards Network Address Storage (NAS)? Synology' DS207+ NAS has everything that you'll need for a SOHO NAS solution.

[IMG]http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2008/08/16073839552s.jpg[/IMG]

But don't take our word for it - check out the review

12-10-2008, 12:42:32

Rastalovich

Great review. These units are excellent pieces of kit.

Unfortunately for me they're still priced as if they're being targeted at businesses - what's more, IT people within businesses. Gloss or repack them anyway they like, £230 without any thrown in drivespace is alarming. And if they're looking to really target the average home buyer, they will have to have some sort of drive in them. Yes they're basic to put together - but that is scary to most who dont dabble inside pcs on a regular basis.

And heres the thing - if u do dabble inside pcs, u wouldnt pay £230 for one of these for 2 drive storage when u have an old pc.

Good tech. Throw in merely 2x500g drives for the price and it'd be a good purchase.

12-10-2008, 12:49:48

PV5150

Thanks Rast, and yes I wholeheartedly agree with everything that you've just said. As if the cost of the NAS itself isn't enough, then to factor in the cost of one or two fast HDD's into the equation - you're up for some serious coin.

12-10-2008, 19:02:35

Jim

Really good review mate. Enjoyable read.

I too winced a bit at the price. Its been a while since I last built a "really" budget PC, but I wonder if you could build a small PC with a pair of 300-500GB hard disks for the same price-ish. Just slap a linux distro on it and you'd have yourself something very similar.

13-10-2008, 12:54:00

PV5150

Thanks Jim I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I too winced a bit at the price. Its been a while since I last built a "really" budget PC, but I wonder if you could build a small PC with a pair of 300-500GB hard disks for the same price-ish. Just slap a linux distro on it and you'd have yourself something very similar.

I'm sure you could and the results would be worth the extra effort too.

13-10-2008, 13:23:40

Rastalovich

Really good review mate. Enjoyable read.

I too winced a bit at the price. Its been a while since I last built a "really" budget PC, but I wonder if you could build a small PC with a pair of 300-500GB hard disks for the same price-ish. Just slap a linux distro on it and you'd have yourself something very similar.

And the thing about it being, u can add masses of drives to that pc, perhaps virus check ur stuff automagically at night, have it handle ur printer and a whole world of other things - including folding :p

13-10-2008, 13:52:08

Jim

And the thing about it being, u can add masses of drives to that pc, perhaps virus check ur stuff automagically at night, have it handle ur printer and a whole world of other things - including folding :p

Very true. Almost makes me wanna build a wireless NAS and have it tucked away in a cupboard somewhere with a wireless N card installed.

Just a shame I don't have the time to fiddle, which I guess makes the PnP nature of the Synolgy appealing.

Synology DS207+ NAS Server

Introduction

Published: 12th October 2008 | Source: Synology | Price: £203.26 | Author: Matthew Fogg

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