Introduction

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



Intel's most suitable SoCs (System-On-Chip) for various storage applications, including NAS servers, are codenamed Avoton and Rangley and belong to the Atom C2000 family. These SoCs are based on the Silvermont micro architecture known for its good performance and very high energy efficiency, which results in a low TDP (Thermal Design Power), a factor crucial to storage applications.

According to Intel, Avoton SoCs are for micro-servers and other storage devices, while the Rangeley SoCs are for network and communication infrastructures. Synology chose to use the latter with the DS415+ for their own reasons. We should state here that the high-end Rangeley SoCs support the Intel QuickAssist Technology which accelerates cryptographic workload completion times, a feature no Avoton SoC supports; however, the C2538 inside the DS415+ doesn't include the QuickAssist feature. Encryption tasks are crucial in a NAS that addresses the small- and medium-sized businesses (SMB) market since such devices will also store particularly sensitive data, so it would be nice to see a Synology NAS with a Rangeley SoC that supports QuickAssist in the near future.

A strong quad-core CPU with an AES-NI hardware encryption engine isn't the only ace up its sleeve as the DS415+ also includes Gigabit Ethernet ports that support the Link Aggregation Protocol (LACP), a silent operation thanks two quality fans that operate at low speeds most of the time, and, last but not least, the fantastic DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system - highly intuitive and one of the most feature-rich NAS operating systems in its area. Synology set the bar incredibly high with their DSM OS and its only serious competitors are QNAP's and Asustor's alternatives.

A quick glimpse at its specifications reveals the DS415+ to be the server for SMB environments or incredibly demanding users who can afford it. The time and effort all companies in this field pour into designing their products and developing their packages and operating systems doesn't come cheap and increases the final price. Consumers also have to understand and properly appreciate the value of these software packages since most usually judge a product's price by its hardware without including the resources it takes to develop and specifically tailor the software around the hardware, which is why a NAS is as powerful and energy efficient as it is. There is almost no use for a powerful NAS with buggy software or a poor feature set since a weak NAS with sophisticated, well-designed software can perform those tasks just as quickly but more reliably.

Specifications

Synology used one of the stronger Rangeley SoCs that costs well over $100 (as I write this), so you shouldn't be perplexed by the DS415+'s price tag of nearly $600. The CPU is compatible with the Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (AES-NI) technology, but doesn't support QuickAssist, which can speed networking and security applications up significantly. Only the more expensive Rangeley SoCs support QuickAssist and Synology obviously didn't want to increase the cost of this NAS server any further.

The DS415+ comes with 2 GB of DDR3 RAM, and while you can upgrade, doing so is very difficult because you would have to completely dismantle the NAS and find a compatible module to replace the one inside. However, 2GB are enough for its custom-tailored Linux operating system. The NAS can take up to four HDDs for a total of 24 TB if you buy 6 TB disks, which would be enough to cover even the most demanding scenario. However, note that you will loose one HDD in RAID 5 and two HDDs in RAID 6.

Although the C2538 supports four 2.5 GbE interfaces, other hardware components limit the bandwidth to 1 GbE, which is still pretty fast. You can also opt to pair the Ethernet ports up by utilizing the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for a 2 GbE line. However, you need a network switch that is compatible with LACP. The other I/O ports are comprised of a single USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an eSATA port to which you can attach a compatible Synology expansion. It, however, cannot expand the capacity of an existing volume (the unit's HDDs).

The DS415+ isn't very large as its size is basically defined by the four 3.5" HDDs it can accommodate. Synology also says the unit to consume very little power. We will conduct our own tests to verify the provided data. The NAS' power brick is strong, so it will easily handle the unit's needs.

A pair of 92 mm diameter fans moves hot air out of the server to keep HDD temperatures low. In a NAS that will most likely operate around the clock, it is of great importance to have the HDDs operate at below 35°C if you want to avoid RMAs and data loss.

The warranty is only two years long, which we don't approve of with such an expensive product, so we would advice Synology to increase it to at least three years. Synology could also claim that these devices are meant to operate around the clock, which makes a two-year warranty the equivalent to a warranty for a regular device that is many times as long since a normal PC will only operate for around 6-8 hours per day. The price is stiff, but this NAS is mostly for SMB environments where cost isn't considered a top priority while reliability and performance are.

Packaging

The NAS comes in a medium-sized blue box with a rather plain graphics design, an area where Synology admittedly lags behind QNAP since the latter offers nicely designed graphics on their packaging. Most of you probably won't care, but a reviewer must see everything.


The handle will come in handy if you have to move the box around.


On one of two sides is a sticker with some of the server's technical characteristics and a list of the contents within. A series of icons on the rear of the box describe the NAS' most interesting functions and applications.

Contents & Bundle

The unit is protected by a white foam bag.


A look at the accessories box.


You will get the NAS, its power brick, a pair of Ethernet cables, a set of screws for mounting the HDDs onto the removable trays, and the AC power cord for the power brick, which we will examine bellow.


With a maximum of 100 W, Li Tone Electronics's external power supply is pretty strong. It appears to be of good quality, but we would prefer a Delta PSU since we aren't all that familiar with LTE and their implementations.