Are you looking for a robust and reliable network-attached storage (NAS) solution? Then, let's dive into the Synology DS1821+! This powerhouse is designed to handle everything from home media streaming to demanding business applications. Guys, if you're serious about data management, keep reading!

What is Synology DS1821+?

The Synology DS1821+ is an 8-bay NAS (Network Attached Storage) device designed for both home and business users. It provides a centralized storage solution that allows you to store, access, and share files from multiple devices on your network. This NAS is powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen processor, ensuring smooth performance even when handling multiple tasks simultaneously. With its expandable storage capacity, the DS1821+ can grow with your data needs, making it a future-proof investment. The DS1821+ supports various RAID configurations, providing options for data redundancy and protection. Whether you're backing up critical business documents or streaming high-definition media, this NAS delivers reliable performance and versatile functionality. Setting up the DS1821+ is straightforward, thanks to Synology's user-friendly DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system. DSM offers a wide range of applications and services, including file sharing, data backup, multimedia streaming, and surveillance solutions. You can easily customize the NAS to fit your specific requirements and manage it through a web-based interface. The DS1821+ also supports virtualization, allowing you to run virtual machines and containers directly on the NAS. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that want to consolidate their IT infrastructure and reduce hardware costs. Furthermore, the DS1821+ offers advanced security features, such as firewall protection, encryption, and two-factor authentication, ensuring your data remains safe from unauthorized access. With its robust performance, scalability, and comprehensive feature set, the Synology DS1821+ is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build a reliable and efficient storage solution.

Key Features of the DS1821+

The Synology DS1821+ comes packed with features that make it a top contender in the NAS market. Let's explore some of its standout capabilities:

High Performance

At the heart of the Synology DS1821+ is its powerful AMD Ryzen quad-core processor. This ensures that the NAS can handle multiple tasks simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Whether you're streaming 4K videos, running virtual machines, or transferring large files, the DS1821+ delivers smooth and responsive performance. The processor is complemented by 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory, which can be expanded up to 32GB, allowing for even greater multitasking capabilities. The DS1821+ also features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with support for link aggregation, enabling faster transfer speeds and network redundancy. This means that if one network connection fails, the NAS will automatically switch to the other, ensuring uninterrupted access to your data. Additionally, the DS1821+ offers optional 10GbE connectivity via an expansion card, providing even faster network speeds for demanding applications. The high-performance capabilities of the DS1821+ make it suitable for a wide range of use cases, from media streaming and content creation to data backup and virtualization. With its robust hardware and optimized software, this NAS can handle even the most demanding workloads with ease. Whether you're a home user or a business professional, the DS1821+ provides the performance and reliability you need to stay productive and efficient. The combination of a powerful processor, ample memory, and high-speed networking options ensures that the DS1821+ can keep up with your growing data needs.

Scalability

One of the most appealing aspects of the Synology DS1821+ is its scalability. With eight drive bays, it supports a significant amount of storage right out of the box. But it doesn't stop there! You can expand the storage capacity even further by adding up to two Synology DX517 expansion units, increasing the total number of drive bays to 18. This allows you to scale your storage as your data needs grow, without having to replace the entire NAS. The DS1821+ supports various drive types, including 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch HDDs and SSDs, giving you flexibility in choosing the storage media that best suits your requirements. You can also mix and match different drive types to optimize performance and capacity. The NAS supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), providing options for data redundancy and protection. Whether you want to maximize storage capacity, improve performance, or ensure data integrity, the DS1821+ offers the flexibility to configure your storage according to your specific needs. The scalability of the DS1821+ makes it an excellent investment for businesses that anticipate future growth. You can start with a smaller configuration and gradually expand your storage capacity as your data needs increase. This allows you to avoid the upfront cost of a larger NAS while still having the option to scale up when necessary. The DS1821+ also supports online RAID expansion, allowing you to add more drives to your RAID array without interrupting service. This ensures that your data remains accessible even during the expansion process. With its expandable storage capacity and flexible RAID options, the Synology DS1821+ provides a scalable storage solution that can adapt to your evolving data needs.

Versatile Applications

The Synology DS1821+ isn't just a storage device; it's a versatile platform that can run a wide range of applications. Thanks to Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, you have access to a vast library of apps that can enhance your productivity, entertainment, and security. One of the most popular applications is Synology Drive, which provides a private cloud solution for file syncing and sharing. You can access your files from anywhere, collaborate with others, and keep your data safe and secure. The DS1821+ also supports multimedia applications such as Plex Media Server, allowing you to stream your movies, TV shows, and music to any device in your home. With its powerful hardware and optimized software, the DS1821+ can transcode video in real-time, ensuring smooth playback even on devices with limited processing power. For businesses, the DS1821+ offers a range of applications for data backup, disaster recovery, and collaboration. Synology Active Backup for Business allows you to back up your Windows PCs, servers, and virtual machines to the NAS, providing comprehensive data protection. The DS1821+ also supports virtualization, allowing you to run virtual machines and containers directly on the NAS. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that want to consolidate their IT infrastructure and reduce hardware costs. Furthermore, the DS1821+ offers surveillance solutions with Synology Surveillance Station, allowing you to monitor your home or business with IP cameras. You can record video, detect motion, and receive alerts when suspicious activity is detected. With its versatile applications and comprehensive feature set, the Synology DS1821+ is more than just a storage device; it's a complete solution for managing your data and enhancing your digital life. Whether you're a home user or a business professional, the DS1821+ provides the tools and resources you need to stay productive, secure, and entertained.

Setting Up Your DS1821+

Setting up the Synology DS1821+ is a breeze, thanks to Synology's intuitive DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Hardware Installation: Begin by installing your hard drives or SSDs into the drive bays. Slide them in until they click into place. Connect the NAS to your network using an Ethernet cable and plug in the power adapter.
2. Initial Setup: Power on the DS1821+ and use a computer connected to the same network. Open a web browser and go to find.synology.com. This will locate your NAS on the network.
3. DSM Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of DSM. The setup wizard will guide you through the process, including creating an administrator account and configuring network settings.
4. Storage Pool Creation: Once DSM is installed, log in to the web interface. Go to Storage Manager and create a new storage pool. Select the drives you want to include in the storage pool and choose a RAID configuration.
5. Volume Creation: After creating the storage pool, create a volume on top of it. The volume is where you'll store your files and applications. You can choose between Btrfs and ext4 file systems.
6. User and Share Creation: Create user accounts for each person who will be accessing the NAS. Then, create shared folders and assign permissions to control who can access each folder.
7. Package Installation: Explore the Package Center to install additional applications and services. You can install apps for file sharing, multimedia streaming, data backup, and more.
8. Configuration: Configure your settings based on your needs. Configure network settings, security settings, and notification settings.

Pros and Cons

To help you make an informed decision, let's weigh the pros and cons of the Synology DS1821+.

Pros

• High Performance: The AMD Ryzen processor delivers excellent performance for demanding workloads.
• Scalability: Eight drive bays plus expansion options allow for ample storage capacity.
• Versatile Applications: DSM provides a wide range of applications for various use cases.
• User-Friendly Interface: DSM is easy to use and navigate, even for beginners.
• Data Protection: Supports various RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection.

Cons

• Price: The DS1821+ is more expensive than entry-level NAS devices.
• Initial Setup: Although the set up is easy, for begginers it can be a litle hard to do.
• Fan Noise: The fans can be a bit noisy under heavy load.

Alternatives to the Synology DS1821+

If the Synology DS1821+ doesn't quite fit your needs, here are a couple of alternatives to consider:

• QNAP TS-873A: This 8-bay NAS offers similar performance and features to the DS1821+, with a focus on multimedia applications.
• TerraMaster F8-422: A more budget-friendly option with eight drive bays, suitable for home users and small businesses.

Conclusion

The Synology DS1821+ is a fantastic NAS solution for anyone needing reliable, scalable, and high-performance storage. Whether you're a home user managing a large media library or a business requiring robust data backup and virtualization capabilities, the DS1821+ has you covered. Sure, it might be a bit of an investment, but the peace of mind and versatility it offers make it well worth the cost. So, if you're ready to take your data management to the next level, the Synology DS1821+ is definitely worth considering!