I have had a DS411j for several years and have been exceedingly happy with it 4x2TB in RAID 5). Only issue I can mention is that the VPN client is terribly slow. It pulls down at about 150KB/s where a proper desktop manages several megabytes a second. I logged in and checked CPU usage, and it's not pegged, so there's another limiting factor somewhere.
I notice the EXACT same problem with my DS212j. I use the VPN client on the NAS and the speeds are barely above 5Mb/s. When I use those same credentials elsewhere, say my desktop PC, I can saturate my 25Mb/s downstream. There is definitely a bottleneck and the CPU itself does not seem to be it. The offloading of encryption or not offloading is little the issue that Synology needs to perform some analysis around.
So excited to see this new product. I've been waiting for a 414j model to come up as I'm looking for an upgrade pathway from my DS212j to something with a couple more bays, and slightly better CPU and memory.
It's a NAS -- just stick it in a cabinet/closet and check on it twice a year. I have used a Syno 211j for years and it has been nothing short of phenomenal. This looks like a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who wants or needs more disks.
True but come to think of it, a NAS is actually a data router. It routes data to disk platters and those data come in psckets via GigE. I would have thought the cpu should have kicked 2Ghz!. Heck, those quad or octacores in the mobile space are kicking 1.7Ghz for goodness sake. Coupled with good LPddr3 ram @ 1600, a 1.8Ghz quad or octacore will serve a great NAS but a few dollars more.....
Can someone please explain to me why a 4 bay enclosure is SO much more expensive than a 2 bay? I mean, twice the size of case, twice the drive mounting brackets and a SLIGHTLY higher end RAID controller. That's it, doesn't come anywhere near justifying a $280 mark-up.
You get a 4-bay NAS because you value your data. And want your data safeguarded in at least a RAID-5 setup.
Think about it: Even if you get a 2-Bay NAS, you still have to back up the data. Thus you need to buy at least TWO additional 2-Bay Enclosures for backup.
With a 4-Bay NAS with RAID-5, all you need is a one additional 4-Bay Enclosure for backup since the backup is built into the RAID-5.
But I can get 2, 2-bay NAS's for $220, vs $390 for a 4-bay NAS. Then I don't have to go through the hassle of rebuilding a RAID array to get my data back, should it fail. I just have 2 copies. It's less expensive and more convenient. Still makes no sense at all, try again.
1. You are comparing products from two different companies - Synology (the best, highest quality) and Buffalo (one of the cheapest). 2. The retail price for the Buffalo 2-bay drive is $170. Your quoted discount price is $110. 3. The retail price for Synology's 2-bay drive is $230. The discount price is $190. 4. The retail price for the Synology 4-bay drive is $390. The discount price is lower. 5. The 4-bay NAS is more expensive because it requires more sophisticated software and hardware.
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15 Comments
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iwod - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
Why O Why, I really wanted a 41xJ, model rise. But why do Synology have to make it so fugly?icrf - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
I have had a DS411j for several years and have been exceedingly happy with it 4x2TB in RAID 5). Only issue I can mention is that the VPN client is terribly slow. It pulls down at about 150KB/s where a proper desktop manages several megabytes a second. I logged in and checked CPU usage, and it's not pegged, so there's another limiting factor somewhere.creed3020 - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
I notice the EXACT same problem with my DS212j. I use the VPN client on the NAS and the speeds are barely above 5Mb/s. When I use those same credentials elsewhere, say my desktop PC, I can saturate my 25Mb/s downstream. There is definitely a bottleneck and the CPU itself does not seem to be it. The offloading of encryption or not offloading is little the issue that Synology needs to perform some analysis around.So excited to see this new product. I've been waiting for a 414j model to come up as I'm looking for an upgrade pathway from my DS212j to something with a couple more bays, and slightly better CPU and memory.
regnez - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
It's a NAS -- just stick it in a cabinet/closet and check on it twice a year. I have used a Syno 211j for years and it has been nothing short of phenomenal. This looks like a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who wants or needs more disks.usernametaken76 - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
It looks to me like HP designers from the 1990's went to work for Synology and updated their color scheme from gray and beige to black.imaheadcase - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
Any don't they just use chassis from other lines? This looks like a oversized electric pencil sharpener.toyotabedzrock - Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - link
Looks like a chip designed to be in a router.fteoath64 - Thursday, May 1, 2014 - link
True but come to think of it, a NAS is actually a data router. It routes data to disk platters and those data come in psckets via GigE. I would have thought the cpu should have kicked 2Ghz!. Heck, those quad or octacores in the mobile space are kicking 1.7Ghz for goodness sake. Coupled with good LPddr3 ram @ 1600, a 1.8Ghz quad or octacore will serve a great NAS but a few dollars more.....Hrel - Friday, May 2, 2014 - link
Can someone please explain to me why a 4 bay enclosure is SO much more expensive than a 2 bay? I mean, twice the size of case, twice the drive mounting brackets and a SLIGHTLY higher end RAID controller. That's it, doesn't come anywhere near justifying a $280 mark-up.2-bay = $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
HOW does 4-bay = $390?
Hrel - Monday, May 5, 2014 - link
No one knows huh, no one has any explanation for why these are so expensive. And yet people are apparently buying them...curiouser and curiouser.
jameskatt - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
You get a 4-bay NAS because you value your data.And want your data safeguarded in at least a RAID-5 setup.
Think about it: Even if you get a 2-Bay NAS, you still have to back up the data. Thus you need to buy at least TWO additional 2-Bay Enclosures for backup.
With a 4-Bay NAS with RAID-5, all you need is a one additional 4-Bay Enclosure for backup since the backup is built into the RAID-5.
Hrel - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
But I can get 2, 2-bay NAS's for $220, vs $390 for a 4-bay NAS. Then I don't have to go through the hassle of rebuilding a RAID array to get my data back, should it fail. I just have 2 copies. It's less expensive and more convenient. Still makes no sense at all, try again.jameskatt - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
1. You are comparing products from two different companies - Synology (the best, highest quality) and Buffalo (one of the cheapest).2. The retail price for the Buffalo 2-bay drive is $170. Your quoted discount price is $110.
3. The retail price for Synology's 2-bay drive is $230. The discount price is $190.
4. The retail price for the Synology 4-bay drive is $390. The discount price is lower.
5. The 4-bay NAS is more expensive because it requires more sophisticated software and hardware.
Hrel - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
Actually found a 4-bay Buffalo for $250, should be $200 but that's at least tolerable. Added to wishlist, thanks for making me look closer!msttsm - Friday, June 13, 2014 - link
Yes, but again, if you want a 4-bay, you can go with Synology's DS413j (yeah, uglier yet) which has dropped down to $309 (B&H PhotoVideo).