Thoughts on Synology NAS

Dru2 · Apr 25, 2025

Anyone using a Synology NAS? I have a Western Digital NAS that also supports Plex Server, which I use for music streaming. The WD has been running 24/7/365 since 2019, so I’m thinking it’s time to replace it. I’m looking at the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay.

Thoughts? How’s Synology’s OS?

Thanks.

Vsynced · Apr 25, 2025

I'm not in the market for such devices, but after reading this, if I were, I wouldn't even look in this company's direction.

Synology Forcing Owners of its Plus Series NAS Appliances to Use Own Brand Hard Drives

Last week Synology put out a press release on its European website, informing its customers that the Plus Series—which starts with simple two bay devices—will only support its own brand of hard drives, if you want to be able to take advantage of basic NAS features like creating a storage pool or...

www.techpowerup.com

Edit: I forgot how to spell.

Berton · Apr 25, 2025

I had 2 WDC MyCloud drives connected to my Router until there were security issues with their software so changed to Buffalo. I'm using a LinkStation 8TB NAS as RAID 1 with total 4TB storage [RAID 1 is mirroring one drive to the other]. It came with 4GB Seagate Iron Wolf drives, quite pleased with performance. It's connected via Ethernet to my Router and any computer Wired or Wireless can have the Public folder I created Mapped for storage/access of the data in 134 subfolders.

siliconbeaver · Apr 25, 2025

Its USB port often disconnected when long time in use.

Dru2 · Apr 25, 2025

Berton said:
I had 2 WDC MyCloud drives connected to my Router until there were security issues with their software so changed to Buffalo. I'm using a LinkStation 8TB NAS as RAID 1 with total 4TB storage [RAID 1 is mirroring one drive to the other]. It came with 4GB Seagate Iron Wolf drives, quite pleased with performance. It's connected via Ethernet to my Router and any computer Wired or Wireless can have the Public folder I created Mapped for storage/access of the data in 134 subfolders.

I'm running 4 WD Red Pro 6TB drives in RAID 10 so I only get 12TB (well 10.7) useable storage. Plenty for my need. Mine is also connected via ethernet to my router as well. What security issues are you referring to??? I have the PR4100 4-Bay NAS.

Anyway, I'm just looking to replace seeing the WD is getting long in the tooth now, and I don't want to be caught without a NAS should (knocks on wood) the WD give out. I looked to WD for a replacement, but they look like they're getting out of the consumer NAS business.

Anyway, I think I'll probably end up with a Synology replacement.

BamaInArk · Apr 25, 2025

Synology makes a VERY good OS. You must remember however you're not paying for the hardware but the software(usage). As was pointed out however some of their higher end ones will limit the drives you can use. This has been an ongoing thing with Synology in recent years. There are several Youtube channels that discuss everything Synology and point out the Pros and Cons.
Many would suggest just building your own using older PC hardware and then using free NAS software.

Wolfzz · Apr 25, 2025

Personally I prefer Qnap had them for years with WD Red Drives and never had an issue plus they are very good for constant firmware upgrades for security.

Helmut · Apr 25, 2025

I use 2 Synology NAS boxes DS212J and DS220+, the newer one with 2 x WD Red Plus 6TB drives, mirrored.

The OS seems very comprehensive. Those drives were on their compatibility list at the time.
Newer one bought on the basis of more speed, apparent reliability - the older one has been used for 12 years, better the devil you know principle for the Disc Station OS.

Neat black box and just works, with minimal effort.

Berton · Apr 25, 2025

For the security I mentioned, it was the WD software included as part of a My Cloud drive and no update for it.

Dru2 · Apr 25, 2025

BamaInArk said:
Synology makes a VERY good OS. You must remember however you're not paying for the hardware but the software(usage). As was pointed out however some of their higher end ones will limit the drives you can use. This has been an ongoing thing with Synology in recent years. There are several Youtube channels that discuss everything Synology and point out the Pros and Cons.
Many would suggest just building your own using older PC hardware and then using free NAS software.

I've been considering that; I certainly have the hardware, I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with working with a NAS OS from scratch. BTW, I heard of Free NAS, and it's what got me thinking about doing a NAS build, but as I said.... comfortably in working with a NAS OS. Would also state the OS has to support Plex as that's my main reason for a NAS.

As for the drives controversy with Synology, I've heard the same but for my needs and drives sizes, I've not seen anything to hinder what I want.... simple storage, and music streaming through Plex. I'd be using WD's Red Pro drives. Probably 8TB sizes.

Berton said:
For the security I mentioned, it was the WD software included as part of a My Cloud drive and no update for it.

Got you. Mine is cloud based so access is through the internet. I have MY Cloud OS 5 installed on my android device, but that's just for mobile use. I don't have it installed on PC.

Helmut said:
Newer one bought on the basis of more speed, apparent reliability - the older one has been used for 12 years, better the devil you know principle for the Disc Station OS.

Why I wanted to stay with WD, but they seemed to have moved on

Wolfzz said:
Personally I prefer Qnap had them for years with WD Red Drives and never had an issue plus they are very good for constant firmware upgrades for security.

I looked at Qnap, even before I got my WD NAS, but in the end it was WD.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 26, 2025

Dru2 said:
Anyone using a Synology NAS? I have a Western Digital NAS that also supports Plex Server, which I use for music streaming. The WD has been running 24/7/365 since 2019, so I’m thinking it’s time to replace it. I’m looking at the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay.

Thoughts? How’s Synology’s OS?

Thanks.

After reading the other post on Synology insisting you using it's marked up Toshiba drives, I think I'd look elsewhere.

AK6DN · Apr 26, 2025

Wolfzz said:
Personally I prefer Qnap had them for years with WD Red Drives and never had an issue plus they are very good for constant firmware upgrades for security.

Ditto. I have a QNAP TS-451+ with four WD RED Pro 8TB drives running since 2019 and still going strong.

Dru2 · Apr 26, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
After reading the other post on Synology insisting you using it's marked up Toshiba drives, I think I'd look elsewhere.

I've read the same controversy and they're not forcing you to use anything; they're just alluding you can't use certain drives. That said, if you read my post, you'd know I am using WD Red Pro drives in my NAS now and will be using them in whatever NAS box I get as a replacement.

BTW, I looked at Qnap before I got my WD NAS, and went with WD. I looked at Qnap again and am leaning Synology. I'm also doing my internet research as I never look to just one source for answers.

Thanks.

flhthemi · Sunday at 8:40 AM

FWIW - I use Asustor and have had great results with them.

Mister.T · Sunday at 8:56 AM

I’ve used Synology for many years, got a Synology DS720 with 2 x 8TB Seagate IronWolf drives. Looking to upgrade in the future, to a 5 bay 2025-26 hopefully… come on Synology release.

I find the OS pretty easy to use, but I’ve never used any other NAS apart from Synology.

kelper · Sunday at 9:16 AM

Dru2 said:
Anyone using a Synology NAS? I have a Western Digital NAS that also supports Plex Server, which I use for music streaming. The WD has been running 24/7/365 since 2019, so I’m thinking it’s time to replace it. I’m looking at the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ 5-Bay.

Thoughts? How’s Synology’s OS?

Thanks.

Why not keep it and just replace the HDDs? Or fit SSDs with adapters?

Dru2 · Sunday at 9:51 AM

kelper said:
Why not keep it and just replace the HDDs? Or fit SSDs with adapters?

You quoted my post yet ask me a question I answered in the post you quoted '

And no it's not the HDDs I'm worried about.... yeah, I'll replace those, but....

Senecio · Sunday at 10:23 AM

Dru2 said:
Thoughts? How’s Synology’s OS?

I have a Synology DS918+ I bought it in 2018 to replace an earlier Netgear NAS which would only support SMB1. The Netgear was built like a tank - all metal construction, but limited software updates (at the time I bought it). The Synology NAS is more plasticky but the OS is quite a lot better. The NAS was also a lot faster than the Netgear at the time. As I expect you know, you get a lot of possibly useful apps built into the Synology which makes linking to home security etc relatively straightforward. I have four 3TB WD Red disks in my NAS, which I brought over from the Netgear, and are now rather venerable. Each month the NAS does a disk check and I've had no errors or problems so far. Basically it works well, but I would be rather put off by the need to use Synology discs only if that is now a requirement.
Here's a review of the DS918+ for information, but I don't suppose it is available except as second hand. I would certainly buy a newer NAS today.

Synology DS918+ review: An intuitive NAS with serious potential to expand | Expert Reviews

Not the fastest, but this feature-packed NAS makes a brilliant addition to any home or office

www.expertreviews.co.uk

John

kelper · Sunday at 10:25 AM

How did you answer my question in your first post??????

Dru2 · Sunday at 11:06 AM

kelper said:
How did you answer my question in your first post??????

kelper said:
Why not keep it and just replace the HDDs? Or fit SSDs with adapters?

Dru2 said:
The WD has been running 24/7/365 since 2019, so I’m thinking it’s time to replace it.

Anyway...

Senecio said:
but I would be rather put off by the need to use Synology discs only if that is now a requirement.

You use other drives with Synology. It's their QVL listings that's got some puzzled (5-minute mark)....

It also supports WD's Red Pro Drives (Synology Products Compatibility List) so for "me" not an issue.

All that said, I still haven't made up my mind, and the one thing that bugs me, is the use of an AMD processor over the Intel (12:10 mark)....

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