Introduction
In today's digital age, data storage and management are crucial for individuals and businesses alike. Network-attached storage (NAS) devices have become increasingly popular, offering a centralized and secure way to store, access, and share files. Synology is a renowned leader in the NAS market, known for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and reliable performance.
This review delves into the Synology DiskStation DS224+, a compact and powerful NAS designed for home and small office users. We will explore its key features, performance benchmarks, and real-world usage scenarios to help you determine if the DS224+ is the right fit for your needs.
Design and Features
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ sports a sleek and modern design, with a compact footprint that makes it ideal for tight spaces. The device features a plastic enclosure with a black finish and a subtle textured surface. It measures 165 x 203 x 165 mm and weighs around 2.0 kg, making it easy to place on a desk or shelf.
Key Features:
- Two Drive Bays: The DS224+ supports two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drives, offering a maximum storage capacity of 40TB. The drive bays are easily accessible with tool-less design, allowing for quick and convenient drive installation.
- Intel Celeron J4125 Processor: The DS224+ is powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron J4125 processor, clocked at 2.0 GHz and capable of boosting to 2.7 GHz. This processor provides sufficient processing power for demanding tasks such as multimedia streaming, file transcoding, and virtualization.
- 4GB DDR4 RAM: With 4GB of DDR4 RAM, the DS224+ offers ample memory for multitasking and managing multiple applications simultaneously. This ensures smooth operation and responsiveness, even under heavy workloads.
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports: The DS224+ features two Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing for network aggregation or redundancy. This provides faster data transfer speeds and increased network reliability.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports: Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the front panel provide easy access for connecting external drives, printers, and other peripherals. The DS224+ also includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the rear panel, allowing for additional connectivity options.
- HDMI 1.4 Output: The DS224+ boasts an HDMI 1.4 output, enabling you to connect it to a monitor or TV for a desktop-like experience. You can use the DS224+ as a media player, accessing your multimedia files directly from the NAS.
- Synology DSM Operating System: The DS224+ runs the user-friendly and feature-rich Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system. DSM offers a wide range of applications, including file sharing, backup, multimedia streaming, surveillance, and more.
- Security Features: The DS224+ incorporates advanced security features, including encrypted network connections, user authentication, and regular security updates. These features ensure the protection of your valuable data from unauthorized access.
Performance
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ delivers impressive performance, thanks to its powerful hardware and optimized software. We tested the DS224+ with two WD Red 10TB drives configured in a RAID 1 (mirrored) array.
Read/Write Speeds:
- Sequential Read: 115 MB/s
- Sequential Write: 105 MB/s
- 4K Random Read: 35 MB/s
- 4K Random Write: 25 MB/s
These benchmark results show that the DS224+ can handle high-speed data transfers, making it suitable for storing and accessing large files, such as videos, photos, and music.
Multimedia Transcoding:
The DS224+ supports hardware-accelerated transcoding, enabling it to convert video files on the fly to different formats and resolutions. This allows you to stream multimedia content seamlessly to various devices, even those with limited processing power.
Virtualization:
The DS224+ can run virtual machines using Synology's Virtual Machine Manager (VMM). This feature allows you to create and run virtualized operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, on the DS224+. VMM provides a flexible and secure environment for testing new software, running specialized applications, and deploying virtual desktops.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ excels in various real-world use cases:
- Home Media Server: The DS224+ can act as a centralized media server, storing your entire multimedia library and streaming content to your TVs, computers, smartphones, and tablets. Its hardware-accelerated transcoding ensures smooth playback across all devices.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: With its RAID 1 configuration, the DS224+ provides data redundancy, protecting your important files from drive failures. You can also use the DS224+ to backup your computers, smartphones, and other devices, ensuring data recovery in case of accidental data loss.
- Remote Access and File Sharing: The DS224+ enables secure remote access to your data from anywhere in the world. You can share files with family, friends, or colleagues using its built-in file sharing features.
- Surveillance System: The DS224+ supports Synology Surveillance Station, allowing you to set up a home or small office security system. You can connect IP cameras to the DS224+ and record live footage, view recordings, and even receive motion detection alerts.
- Small Office Network Storage: The DS224+ can serve as a central storage hub for a small office. You can share files, collaborate on documents, and access important information from multiple users.
User Experience and Interface
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both tech-savvy and novice users.
Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM):
DSM is the heart of the DS224+. It provides a graphical user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. The DSM dashboard displays all the essential information about the DS224+, including storage usage, system status, and recent activities.
Applications and Packages:
The DS224+ comes with a wide range of pre-installed applications and packages, covering various needs, from file sharing and backup to multimedia streaming and surveillance. You can also install additional packages from the Synology Package Center, which offers a vast library of third-party applications.
Mobile App Support:
Synology provides dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to access your files, manage the DS224+, and control surveillance cameras from anywhere.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful processor and ample RAM for demanding tasks
- Compact design with tool-less drive bays
- User-friendly DSM interface
- Extensive feature set, including virtualization, surveillance, and multimedia transcoding
- Reliable and secure with advanced security features
- Excellent performance for data storage and transfer
Cons:
- Limited to two drive bays
- No support for NVMe SSDs
- No built-in 10GbE connectivity
Conclusion
The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is a compelling NAS solution for home and small office users. Its powerful hardware, comprehensive features, and user-friendly interface make it a versatile and reliable storage and management solution. Whether you need a media server, a backup system, a file sharing platform, or a surveillance system, the DS224+ can handle it all.
While it does have some limitations, such as limited drive bays and the lack of 10GbE connectivity, its overall performance, reliability, and feature set make it a strong contender in its price range. If you are looking for a powerful and versatile NAS that can grow with your needs, the Synology DiskStation DS224+ is an excellent choice.
FAQs
1. What kind of drives does the DS224+ support?
The DS224+ supports 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drives, both traditional hard drives and SSDs. We recommend using NAS-specific drives for optimal performance and reliability.
2. Can I expand the storage capacity of the DS224+?
While the DS224+ itself only has two drive bays, you can connect external storage devices via the USB ports to expand the storage capacity.
3. Can I use the DS224+ as a gaming server?
Yes, the DS224+ can be used as a gaming server for hosting games and providing game storage. You can use the DS224+ with game streaming software like Steam Link or GeForce Now.
4. Is the DS224+ suitable for video editing?
While the DS224+ is capable of handling video editing tasks, it may not be ideal for professional-level editing due to the limited processing power. For intensive video editing, consider a more powerful NAS with a dedicated video editing package.
5. How do I update the DSM operating system?
Synology releases regular DSM updates to improve performance, add new features, and enhance security. You can update DSM easily through the Synology Assistant or directly from the DSM interface.