Alright, let’s talk about my recent experience setting up a home server. I was looking into getting a Network Attached Storage, you know, a NAS, to keep all my files, photos, and videos in one place. And also a private cloud for accessing them anywhere. I was torn between the Synology DS223 and the DS224+.
First, I checked out the DS223. It’s part of Synology’s Value series. I found out it’s a 2-bay NAS, which means it can hold two hard drives. Nice for a home setup. But here’s the catch, it only has one Gigabit port, and you can’t upgrade it later. So if you want faster network speeds, you’re kinda stuck. Also, it comes with 2GB of RAM that’s soldered onto the motherboard. That means you can’t add more RAM to it. It’s okay for basic file storage, but if you want to do more, it might struggle.
Then, I looked into the DS224+. It’s also a 2-bay NAS but it feels a bit more advanced. The DS224+ is all black and has these hot-swap drive bays. That’s just a fancy way of saying you can easily take the hard drives in and out without turning the whole thing off. Useful. The biggest difference is that it has a SODIMM slot. That means you can upgrade the RAM. I think it comes with 2GB, but you can bump it up to 6GB. More RAM means it can handle more tasks at the same time.
So, I started comparing the two models. I found this website that listed all the specs side by side. The DS223 has a weaker Realtek CPU, and as I said, only 2GB of RAM. The DS224+ has a better Intel CPU and the option to upgrade the RAM. That’s a big deal if you plan to use it for more than just storing files.
I also found out that the price difference isn’t that huge. The DS223 was going for around $249.99. The DS224+ was a bit more, but not by much. Considering the better CPU and the RAM upgrade option, it seemed like a better deal.
I tried to find more information about how many people can use the NAS at the same time. The DS224+ seemed to handle around 60% idle users and 40% active users. That’s more than enough for a home or even a small office. I didn’t find the exact numbers for the DS223, but I figured it would be less because of the weaker CPU and limited RAM.
After all that research, I decided to go with the DS224+. It just seemed like a better investment in the long run. I ordered it online, and it arrived a few days later. Setting it up was pretty straightforward. I put in two 4TB hard drives, connected it to my router, and followed the instructions to set up the Synology software.
The software is called DiskStation Manager, or DSM for short. It’s like an operating system for the NAS. It’s pretty user-friendly. I was able to create user accounts, set up shared folders, and even install some apps. There’s a whole app store for the NAS. You can install apps for backups, media streaming, and even running a website.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I did:
- Unboxed the DS224+ and installed two 4TB hard drives.
- Connected the NAS to my router and powered it on.
- Went to my computer and used a web browser to find the NAS on my network.
- Followed the on-screen instructions to install the DiskStation Manager (DSM) software.
- Created user accounts for myself and my family.
- Set up shared folders for photos, videos, and documents.
- Installed a few apps from the Package Center, like Synology Photos and Video Station.
- Configured the NAS to be accessible over the internet using QuickConnect.
- Set up automatic backups for my important files.
Now, I can access all my files from anywhere, stream movies to my TV, and share photos with my family. It’s pretty awesome. The DS224+ is definitely faster than I expected. I can copy files quickly, and even when multiple people are using it, it doesn’t slow down.
If you’re looking for a NAS for your home or a small office, I’d recommend checking out the Synology DS224+. It’s a bit more expensive than the DS223, but the extra features and performance are worth it in my opinion. Just remember, the DS223 might be okay if you only need basic file storage, but if you want to do more, the DS224+ is the way to go.
My final thought?
It’s been a fun project. I learned a lot about NAS devices and how they work. And now I have a cool little server at home that keeps all my data safe and accessible. It’s like having my own personal cloud. Pretty neat, huh?