In a recent conversation with Marie Dubois, a network administrator for a multinational corporation with a keen interest in storage solutions, I gained insights into Synology’s evolving landscape. Known primarily for its network-attached storage (NAS) systems, Synology is ambitiously setting its sights on the enterprise market, focusing on flash storage innovation. Dubois’s experiences provide a window into this transition, revealing both challenges and opportunities for businesses considering such solutions.
Marie has been involved in network management for over a decade, overseeing storage solutions that support her company’s global operations. “When we first considered Synology, it was due to their reputation in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment. Their NAS solutions were reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly,” she recounted. However, the potential for scaling these solutions to meet the demands of a large enterprise was always a question.
Synology’s product range is diverse, from the desktop-friendly DiskStation (DS) boxes to the robust RackStation (RS) arrays. “For our department, the RackStation was particularly appealing,” Marie noted, “because it offered scalability and the ability to handle large volumes of data, which is crucial for our operations.” The RS arrays, with their capacity to house between four and 16 hard disk drives (HDDs) and reach up to 320TB, provide a flexible solution for various storage needs.
A standout in their offerings is the 4U High Density (HD) 6500 rack, capable of accommodating up to 60 HDDs and extending to a raw capacity of 1.2PB. “In environments like ours, where data is constantly being generated and processed, having the option to scale up to 6PB in raw capacity is a game-changer,” Marie explained. This particular model has found favour not only in enterprise settings but also in sectors like healthcare and media, where large-scale data storage is paramount.
Despite being primarily HDD-focused, Synology has not ignored the growing demand for flash storage. The FlashStation (FS), which supports up to 24 flash drives, has been designed for high-performance applications such as databases and online transaction processing. “The speed and efficiency of flash storage are undeniable,” Marie commented. “It’s exciting to see Synology preparing to offer SSDs as storage capacity rather than just cache, meeting the needs of enterprises seeking higher throughput.”
One of the significant advantages of Synology’s systems is their redundancy and protection against data loss, which is critical in enterprise environments. “Using RAID configurations and redundant connections, they’ve managed to minimise the risk of outages, which is essential for maintaining uninterrupted operations,” Marie said. This reliability, combined with ease of use, makes Synology an attractive option for businesses looking for robust storage solutions.
Marie also shared insights into the management of these systems. “Network management is a balancing act between efficiency and security,” she pointed out. Synology’s NAS solutions, shared via Ethernet, offer versatility through support for different protocols like NFS, SMB, and CIFS. “Choosing the right protocol can significantly impact performance and compatibility with existing infrastructure,” she advised, highlighting the importance of understanding these nuances in data centre environments.
Looking forward, Synology’s roadmap includes the integration of SSDs directly into their storage systems by 2025. “This shift is in response to the increasing demand for fast access to data, especially as enterprises move beyond just cold data storage,” Marie speculated. This development signals Synology’s commitment to evolving with technological advancements and addressing the needs of larger organisations.
Marie concluded our discussion with some best practices for those considering Synology’s solutions. “It’s crucial to assess your current and future data storage needs thoroughly. While Synology offers scalability, understanding your growth trajectory will help in making informed decisions,” she advised. Furthermore, she emphasised the importance of staying updated with Synology’s product developments and participating in tutorials and training sessions to maximise the benefits of their systems.
In summary, Synology’s venture into the enterprise sector with a focus on flash storage represents a significant pivot in its strategy. For professionals like Marie Dubois, this evolution offers new possibilities for efficiently managing vast amounts of data while maintaining reliability and security. As Synology continues to innovate, its products are likely to become a mainstay in the enterprise storage landscape, offering solutions that cater to both current demands and future growth.
Lilianna Stolarz