4 Bay NAS - Synology or QNAP ?

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mikee13

50 posts

Geek

#196609 6-Jun-2016 17:00

Looking to replace my Netgear readyNas NV+ but cannot decide between Synology or QNAP.

I am simply looking for a robust file server, must be able to hot-swap drives, and be able to sync with cloud servers such as Dropbox.
Ideally I would like to keep the cost below $1200 (I already have 4 x 2TB WD "Red" drives)
I do not need it to act as a media server as I already have a DS214play which I use for media (via Plex).

Am considering the following models :

QNAP TS-431
Synology DiskStation DS414j / DS416j
QNAP TS-451+
Synology DiskStation DS416

Any advice from anyone who is using the above models or any thoughts about other possibilities will be greatly appreciated.

Sideface

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#1566620 6-Jun-2016 17:18

Any of these units would be good.

I prefer the Synology user interface.

My choice would be the Synology DiskStation DS416.

Sideface

thewanderingv

185 posts

Master Geek

#1566661 6-Jun-2016 18:01

The DS416play has just been released and looks amazing. Would think about that as an option if you have a bit of patience.

networkn

Networkn
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#1566663 6-Jun-2016 18:17

I strongly recommend against J series Synology. They just don't cope with a lot of file transfer, and out to USB is even worse. Other than that I'd say Synology over QNAP, but in reality both are great.

Benoire

2798 posts

Uber Geek

#1566674 6-Jun-2016 19:00

Qnap hardware is generally better in terms of specification but the DSM by synology is by far and wide the best of the COTS NAS Os' around.

mikee13

50 posts

Geek

#1566705 6-Jun-2016 19:30

Hey, THANKS for all the info so far. Still undecided, but it sounds like I cannot go wrong with any QNAP or Synology ... as long as I keep in mind that "J series" Synology may be a little under-powered.

peter009

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#1566917 7-Jun-2016 10:22

TS-451+ or TS-251+ (4 bay and 2-bay respectively) has much better software features, and also the spec than those synology devices.

e.g. You can run Windows OS VM, just like to own the laptop running in your home network but without owning the physical PC.

(Setup is really easy, just simply import the VM ISO file to the "virtualization station" on QNAP QTS)

The QNAP also comes with HDMI output, that you can play the store video content using Kodi (xbmc) player thru its HDMI output. 1 free remote is provided with the purchase, you can also use mobile app to control the NAS)

Besides the Plex media server will run much more smoothly by the quad core Intel CPU... ==> 1 vote for QNAP

afe66

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#1566942 7-Jun-2016 10:47

I'd go for 916+ with Intel quad processor myself.

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Benoire

2798 posts

Uber Geek

#1566956 7-Jun-2016 11:02

As I said, the Qnaps have far better specifications but the software is poor in comparison to Synology's DSM. You also won't get access to Hybrid Raid either with out DSM although if you just plan on running a set of raid 5/6 off all the same drive then that is a mute point.

curryforthree

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#1566961 7-Jun-2016 11:06

I personally would go with the TS-451+. As some of the others mentioned. QNAP have a much better hardware spec. Especially the QNAP NAS memory is up gradable. With upgraded memory and the Intel Quad Core Celeron it makes the NAS super fast. I also like the new cloud drive sync app that QNAP offers. Its one app that can manage multiple cloud sync like dropbox, Google Drive, and One Drive. The setup is relatively easy. Also if you take more closely look at the QNAP software features, its pretty amazing as well. You will notice they have a lot more rich set features that no other NAS vendors provides.

Here is what Im currently using at home, TS-451 with 8GB of memory.

1. The NAS resides in my living room next to the TV. I hook up NAS to the TV with HDMI and use their build in KODI App to watch my movies (Cool part is that it also work with logitech harmony remote, i use it with my logitech harmony remote). The only down fall is that my model doesnt play 4k, so I need to upgrade later to their TS-653A.

2. QNAP has a virtualization station. I run a window VM off the NAS and run with the Itune open. This way I can use my apple tv in my bedroom to grab songs from the QNAP NAS. I also use the Apple TV plex app to grab movies from plex server on the QNAP.

3. I also run 2 cameras to the NAS. I use for monitoring via the HDMI on my TV in my living. (I think this biggest key, I dont need to turn on my computer or phone to monitor the camera. I can turn on TV and go to QNAP surveillance station and see everything)

4. My iphone is also limited in capacity (16GB). So i setup my phone to backup the pictures I take to the QNAP NAS every time i take a picture. So when the phone is max out in capacity. I can always delete the pictures or videos.

5. the NAS is also my file sever that I share with my family. I backup my mac and windows PC.

6. I also sync my QNAP to the Google drive on some my important documents part of my disaster recovery.

Overall happy with my QNAP. I think you cant go wrong with the QNAP. You will just have more features to play with.

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1567038 7-Jun-2016 12:33

mikee13:

Looking to replace my Netgear readyNas NV+ but cannot decide between Synology or QNAP.

I am simply looking for a robust file server, must be able to hot-swap drives, and be able to sync with cloud servers such as Dropbox.
Ideally I would like to keep the cost below $1200 (I already have 4 x 2TB WD "Red" drives)
I do not need it to act as a media server as I already have a DS214play which I use for media (via Plex).

Am considering the following models :

QNAP TS-431
Synology DiskStation DS414j / DS416j
QNAP TS-451+
Synology DiskStation DS416
Any advice from anyone who is using the above models or any thoughts about other possibilities will be greatly appreciated.

I run a QNAP TS-451+ at home with 4 x 2TB disks in RAID5, have it sitting in my Garage networked up to my office (nice and cool in the garage I did have to return the unit about a month ago coz we had a power cut and it wouldn't power back up (perhaps a power spike - really should put in a surge/spike protector...) but that's just down to bad luck - hardware fails, that's just life

The main thing is ensure you run the later firmware on it - the earlier revision that was on it when I first bought was poor. With the newer firmware, its actually been rock solid. It has quite a number of apps that can be added which is nice, I run Plex media server on it which is great for streaming movies off. I also have an external 4TB drive USB 3.0 connected too it as well and run an rsync process which syncs data from QNAP to the external drive. Also run QSync on my PC which sync's files between PC to QNAP too - that's never missed a beat. I'm not a big fan of the backup software that comes with the QNAP though, so run 3rd party product called Cobian Backup Gravity (very good freeware product) to do incremental backups of my PC files to the QNAP as well. I think I have about 4 copies of all my data between PC, QNAP and external drive!!

I have had a little bit of experience with Synology in the past, but not the newer units so can't really offer a comparison.

CB_24

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1589691 11-Jul-2016 13:54

Any more input? I'm currently researching into the same decision also

Benoire

2798 posts

Uber Geek

#1589738 11-Jul-2016 15:42

You could always build a custom pc using either hotswap bays or just a case with quick release mounting points and use Xpenology... This is a boot loader that emulates the DSM bootloader in a synology device and allows DSM to load up on none synology hardware. Have been running my 12 bay build for about 2 years using this and its great. The ability to update to new releases is delayed as the team have to wait for the build chains to be released by Synology under GPL and then get round any changes they have made, but often no more than a few months... Currently waiting for DSM 6 tool chains and then Xpenology will be compatible with DSM 6+

mikee13

50 posts

Geek

#1589787 11-Jul-2016 16:12

CB_24:

Any more input? I'm currently researching into the same decision also

At this stage, I have decided to get either the QNAP TS-451+ or TS-531P. Will only buy it next month, but once I have run it for a week or so, I will post my thoughts on the unit.

thewanderingv

185 posts

Master Geek

#1589793 11-Jul-2016 16:29

I just picked up a DS416play and it's outstanding. Fast, lots of DSM community apps (although their user forums are pathetic), and on the whole a great buy. The CloudSync app on Synology is also excellent - I back up most of my stuff to various cloud options using that.

CB_24

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1592458 14-Jul-2016 12:57

mikee13:

CB_24:

Any more input? I'm currently researching into the same decision also

At this stage, I have decided to get either the QNAP TS-451+ or TS-531P. Will only buy it next month, but once I have run it for a week or so, I will post my thoughts on the unit.

Following this post I'm seriously looking at the TS-451+, hopefully this weekend.