Introduction

We would like to thank Synology for supplying the review sample.

The new DS416 NAS belongs to Synology's value series of products, along with the DS715 we evaluated last year. Compared to the DS415+, which we also took a look at in the past, the DS416 uses a weaker dual-core SoC by Annapurna Labs and 1 GB of RAM. The DS415+, on the other hand, uses an Intel Atom C2538 CPU, a SoC of the Rangeley family, and 2 GB of RAM. As such, we expect the DS416 to perform worse, although its specifications are strong enough to cover the needs of an enthusiast user or a small office since its Alpine AL-212 SoC has proven to be very efficient while offering enough computing power for a mid-centric NAS.

An incredibly strong CPU isn't a must with a NAS since these machines use custom-tailored Linux editions that run well on weaker hardware—hardware utilization is kept low under even stressful conditions to make sure a NAS server's operating system stays snappy. NAS servers use weaker CPUs than desktops, which makes them incredibly energy efficient, which is important since these are supposed to operate around the clock. A CPU with a low TDP can also be cooled passively, which decreases output noise and increases reliability because fans have moving parts, which make them more prone to failure.

Specifications

There isn't enough information on the Alpine AL-212 this NAS uses, but based on past experiences, it is strong enough for a mid-centric NAS that won't have to work with many clients at the same time. 1 GB of RAM looks low for a modern NAS, and the fact that the RAM total cannot be increased upon is unfortunate; however, Synology's DSM OS utilizes very little RAM, so you probably won't feel as though the DS416 needs more. With that said, we would still prefer its RAM total to be upgradable since it would future-proof the NAS.

The four HDDs this NAS can accommodate make for up to 32 TB of storage before the HDDs are formatted or put into a RAID array for some protection against data loss. If you cannot afford to buy all HDDs at once, you can start with one to migrate to a RAID array of your choice at a later point in time. We must note here that most NAS servers now offer this option.

Synology equipped the DS416 with two Ethernet ports that can be teamed for increased network transfer speeds or more reliability. Given this NAS is for use at home or small offices where managed switches will most likely not be present, the choice to provide two Ethernet ports looks odd because the increase in speed these can provide through the Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) necessitates a compatible switch. Only semi-managed switches are compatible with dynamic LACP, and home users usually only have switches without LACP support.

Things have lately improved for Synology NAS servers when it comes to surveillance, and the DS416 is a fine example of it since it comes with two camera licenses instead of one. Two licenses still aren't the world since Asustor provides four, but two will cover the needs of most average user. The maximum number (25) of IP cameras this NAS supports is quite high. Combine that with Synology's Surveillance Center application and the DS416 becomes a fully featured Network Video Recorder (NVR).

The I/O consists of USB 3.0 ports and nothing else. An eSATA port for an expansion unit would have been nice; however, the SoC might not be strong enough to control all the storage space and HDDs, which is probably why Synology chose to omit it. If you need more space, you had better get a stronger NAS instead.

The NAS is as big as it should be for its storage capacity, which allows for two 92mm cooling fans in the rear. Synology used an external power supply, which reduces the NAS server's size since an internal PSU would require the chassis to be larger. Synology's provided warranty is two years long, a typical warranty period for most NAS products available on the market today, while the price is what it should be for a four-bay Synology NAS.

Packaging

The package doesn't have a graphics design, but protects its contents well, which is what matters the most.

Contents & Bundle

Inside the box, two foam spacers protect the NAS.


The bundle is the one common to almost all Synology servers: a quick user's manual, a set of screws, and two Ethernet cables are included.


The external power supply is by Channel Well Technology (CWT), and its model number is 2AAL090F. It can deliver up to 7.5 A with 12V output, which is 90 W, easily enough to cover the DS461's needs.

Exterior

At the face, the NAS has a glossy cover a thin plastic film protects. Behind it are the HDD trays.


There are LED indicators, a USB 3.0 port, and the power switch at the front.


Some dots on top of the trays are used to number them. However, the trays themselves aren't numbered, which won't matter as you won't have to put them back in the same order to have the NAS operate properly.


Acting as an exhaust grille, Synology's logo has been punched into one of two sides.


At the bottom are four rubber feet.


Two 92mm diameter fans move hot air out of the server's internals and occupy most of the real estate in the rear. There are also two Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Kensington lock, and the reset switch Synology recessed into the chassis for obvious reasons.


We removed the trays to take some photos of the HDD compartment.


Seagate equipped our test sample with four HDDs, and we are grateful, but will use our own Seagate disks in order to produce results that are comparable to those of previous NAS reviews.


The trays are made of plastic and their quality isn't good enough for this category. The lack of any sound-absorbing material is also a big mistake. In a business environment, lockable trays are also preferable.