Many companies and individuals are looking for an efficient way to share files on a network. They may lack the technical skills to implement a full fledged server. Network attached storage is a technology that may fill the need in these situations. If you are looking to add network attached storage to your network, but have limited budget then you should consider the DiskStation DS215j by Synology.
This device has all the horsepower and abilities of a server without all the overhead and necessary expertise that comes with implementing one.
Check out the specifications on this device:
CPU: Dual Core 800 Mhz
Memory : 512 MB DDR3
Storage: 2 Slots that can hold 3.5″ SATA III/SATA II HDD or 2.5″ SATA III / SATA II with a maximum capacity of 12 TB (6 TB x 2)
External Ports : 1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0
File System Support: EXT4, EXT3 FAT, NTFS, HFS+
LAN : 1 GB Ethernet Port with Wake on Lan capability and Wireless Support
Warranty : 2 Years
Maximum Single Volume: 16 TB
Maximum Number of Volumes : 256
Max iSCSI Target : 10
Supported Raid : Synology Hybrid, Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID1
GET THE Synology America DiskStation 2-Bay Network Attached Storage HERE
As you can see the, device has all the capabilities that a small business or individual would need.
It is important to keep in mind that this is just the enclosure. You will need to provide the hard drives for storage. But, with this flexibility, you can have virtually unlimited storage.
Add Ons Galore
The device has a great deal of flexibility as well that is easy to implement.
You can add Antivirus software to the device that will give you the ability to keep your stored files clean and virus free. It also has the ability to store audio and play it back on the network.
The device is DLNA capable so you can use it as a media server. Most devices like Playstations, XBOX and other DLNA devices will be able to detect it as DLNA storage and play the files on the drive.
The NAS can even serve as storage for video surveillance cameras.
Shares With All Devices
You can share with just about any device with the wide range of file types and sharing protocols. You can share with Windows, Mac or Linux devices using typical protocols like FTP, SMB, AFP, NFS and WebDAV. You can even add a layer of security because it can use LDAP to integrate with Active Directory. There are also several apps that can be used to mobile devices on iOS and Android.
Energy Savings
Running a typical PC as a server takes considerably more energy than the Synology NAS device. You are looking at about 13 W to run the Synology device when files are being accessed. This is compared to about 80W for a typical PC. This can save money in the long run as well and has a more positive impact on the environment.
If you are looking for a way to share files, access videos or backup data, then you really should consider the DS215j. It has a ton of features, is affordable and gives you a great deal of flexibility.