Creating M.2 storage pools requires the use of Synology-verified SSDs, which are rigorously tested under extreme temperature conditions. Thermal parameters for SSDs and NAS units are fine-tuned to ensure optimal management of thermal conditions under I/O-intensive environments. ( Learn more) You’ll need to upgrade the memory but the Virtual Machine Manager increases the appliance’s versatility as it can host VMs running just about any OS you choose plus extra instances of DSM. And then there’s Synology’s class-leading Surveillance Station which supports over 7,600 IP camera models and offers a remarkable range of video recording and management services. Synology DiskStation DS1621+ review: Verdict That amount is enough for general usage, but a memory upgrade is a must if you want to get the most out of the server. Synology hardware upgrades: Here's my new Synology DS1821+ and the upgrade parts, including a 10Gbps PCIe add-on card, a 32GB DDR4 RAM kit, and two 1.92GB Seagate IronWolf NVMe SSDs.

You will need two drives if you want to cache for both writing and reading -- so it's a good idea to get two. More caution is needed when selecting a 10GbE adapter, however, as Synology is rapidly shrinking its third-party hardware compatibility list and focusing more on its own solutions. When we installed the same Emulex dual-port 10GbE adapter we’d used to test the DS1618+, the DS1621+ hung during the boot phase and would only accept a dual-port Intel X520 10GbE adapter. Synology DiskStation DS1621+ review: 10GbE performance The second option is the least expensive but is good enough for most cases. Synology DS1821+ vs DS1621+: Here are my servers upgraded to 10Gbps using two different dual PCIe cards.User-defined temperature settings are stored in nonvolatile memory so parts may be programmed prior to insertion in a system. Temperature settings and temperature readings are all communicated to/from the DS1621 over a simple two–wire serial interface. Applications include thermostatic controls, industrial systems, consumer products, thermometers, or any thermal sensitive system

In a way, this post is about Synology hardware upgrades, specifically in RAM, storage, and 10Gbps network speed. In other words, if you're looking for the best 10Gbps NAS for the home (or small office), you're at the right place. As I mentioned in the review of the DS1621+, in most cases, SSD caching upgrade is unnecessary and won't increase the server's general copy speeds. If you're using the DS1621+ and want to upgrade to the DS1821+ to take advantage of the two extra drive bays, the process is the same as when you migrate from one Synology server to another. In any case, installing the SSDs onto the server is super easy. The two M.2 slots are inside the server's left wall. Take the first and second drive bays out, and you can reach them. Synology DS1821+: 10Gbps NIC card upgradeIn our testing we saw performance for random access improve up to 2.1x using SSD caching, but for most uses it was a lot lower. The biggest real world difference was when running multiple virtual machines, which were a lot more responsive with SSD caching. We also tested with 16GB of RAM, which helped a lot for memory heavy applications.

The DS1621 Digital Thermometer and Thermostat provides 9–bit temperature readings which indicate the temperature of the device. The thermal alarm output, TOUT, is active when the temperature of the device exceeds a user–defined temperature TH. The output remains active until the temperature drops below user defined temperature TL, allowing for any hysteresis necessary. The more is always, the better in terms of capacity, but generally, you won't need drives larger than 250GB for caching. After that, you can install them via the slot on the server's underside. The process is easy and painless. All you need is a small Philip-head screwdriver. Synology DS1821+: SSD caching upgrade PCIe add-in cards, expansion units, and storage drives are sold separately. Refer to the compatibility list for compatible devices. What's more, each server has two built-in M.2 slots to host two NVMe SSDs -- a good upgrade option if you use the server for applications that can benefit from caching. There's no way to use these slots for general storage.

With that, let's proceed with the upgrade. For this post, I did the upgrades on a DS1821+, but the processes and parts are the same on a DS1621+. Synology DS1821+: RAM upgrade So on the Xfinity/Comcast IPv6 thing. Before three days ago when “they changed things” during an 0200-0430MST (local) outage… IPv6 worked. Is it its inclusion of dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots? No. The PCIe slot for expansion cards? Nope again! Actually wait... yes, those last two aredefinitely exciting, but they're not exactly new, and the DS1621+ truly stands out thanks to something that is: its AMD Ryzen CPU, which is a first for a Synology NAS, and a welcome change in a space that's dominated by Intel processors. Performance figures are obtained through SMB sequential throughput tests using Windows Server 2016 Datacenter on a