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Published: October 12, 2008 | Source: Synology | Author: Matthew Fogg

Synology DS207+ NAS Server

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.
 
Synology DS207+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…