New Synology Models DS411J, DS211J, DS211, DS111

[alfonz]

Synology has four new NAS units showing up for sale in Europe: DS411J, DS211J, DS 211, DS111.

Looks like Synology has made 2011 updates of existing products:
DS410J and DS210J are replaced by the DS411J and DS211J. The 2011 version of the NAS increases the processor speed from 800MHz to 1.2GHz, everything else appears the same.

DS209 and DS109 are replaced by the DS211 and DS111. The new models increase the processor speed from 1.2GHz to 1.6GHz and adds an esata port.

When I looked at websites in the UK, it appears the pricing hasn't increased much from the old models, if at all. I was planning on ordering a DS209 (2009 model), but guessed Synology would be updating it soon, as they seem to update their products at least every two years. Glad I waited... but now I still need to wait until it's available in the US!

The DS211J looks like the one to get (for me) as it's as fast as the DS209, but cheaper. I don't plan on running too many apps, so I hope the 128MB of RAM will be sufficient for my home backup NAS. Esata would be nice, but I can probably live without it on a two bay NAS.

Here's some links to product pages that have pretty good descriptions:
http://shop.intos.de/cgi-bin/ieos/process/locale/en_US/page/54257.html
http://shop.intos.de/cgi-bin/ieos/process/locale/en_US/page/54256.html
http://shop.intos.de/cgi-bin/ieos/process/locale/en_US/page/54255.html
http://shop.intos.de/cgi-bin/ieos/process/locale/en_US/page/54254.html



Found another NAS related new Synology product on the same website, it's an Audio Remote Control for the Synology NAS server:

"The Remote Receiver is also an USB Digital Audio Converter (DAC) with 3 audio outputs ranging from 3.5 mm Stereo Audio Jack, Optical S/PDIF and USB interface; making your Synology Remote compatible with a variety of home stereo and speakers to satisfy all kinds of music lovers."

The Document/Manual on the website says the "Synology Remote for Audio Station" has a Direction-Free RF Signal. That's cool , as it would allow the NAS to be buried in an entertainment cabinet with remote control access of the Audio Station from another room.

This may be my next Synology purchase... assuming it gets good reviews (audio quality and RF distance are my most important criteria), and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Here's the link:
http://shop.intos.de/cgi-bin/ieos/process/locale/en_US/page/54239A.html

 

[totoro]

DS209 and DS109 are replaced by the DS211 and DS111. The new models increase the processor speed from 1.2GHz to 1.6GHz and adds an esata port.

Does that mean that DS211 and DS111 have two esata ports?

 

[alfonz]

Does that mean that DS211 and DS111 have two esata ports?

The website describing the DS211 (the 3rd link) shows that there is 3 USB and 1x eSATA connectors. The DS111 has the same configuration.

I wish more info was available on the esata port.. would like to know if it can be used with the DX510 hard drive array or if it's for 'backup only'.

Anybody have a DS211 or DS111 manual yet?

 

[totoro]

I think we have no reason to suspect that they will be any different from the current models regarding DX510, i.e. at least it can be used for a separate volume creation.

 

[alfonz]

totoro, looking at the Synology DX510 product page it only shows compatibity with Atom based servers... so a 16-bit NAS would be a stretch. thanks for the sanity check.


As a quick update to the pricing for the new NAS units, here's a link to a UK site that has most of the old and new models to use as a price comparison:

http://www.vt.tv
SEARCH FOR 'synology'

Price increases range from 2.4% to 6.7% at this website for the 2011 models. I'm guessing the list price stayed the same and a premium was added for the new models at product launch (because they can).

 

[totoro]

Regarding DX510, as I was told on the Synology forum, it differs from DX5 only in the eSata connector form (as well as the exterior design), and DX5 is compatible with non-Atom-based NAS's, therefore I assume that it can work the same way DX5 does. Maybe officially it is not declared compatible with other models but it is not declared incompatible as well, if you catch my drift

 

[ginopilotino]

Nothing on the official site yet

 

[alfonz]

It appears that the release date is quickly approaching...

Several dealers have prices listed (Europe and Canada) and the description has been expanded to include read / write performance (DS211). From the consistent wording in the website's product information, I think it's safe to assume the throughput estimate comes from a Synology product description / upcoming press release.


"The Synology DS211 delivers an average 104.37 MB/sec reading speed under RAID 1 configuration in a Windows environment, and 53.29 MB/sec writing."

https://www.megamobile.be/productinfo/134371/-/SYNOLOGY_DS211_Feature-rich_2-bay_SATA_NAS_Server_/

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=56529&vpn=DS211&manufacture=Synology Inc.

 

[kamina]

Do you think the new buffalo's bad small file performance is an arm vs atom thing, or just something to do with the buffalo's firmware?

 

[alfonz]

Do you think the new buffalo's bad small file performance is an arm vs atom thing, or just something to do with the buffalo's firmware?

Sorry, I have no idea.. I think you'd have a better chance of getting good feedback if you started a new thread to pose this question. There's lots of knowledable people on this forum (not me, obviously) , but your question is buried in a news thread about a Synology product launch.

 

[alfonz]

Looks like the DS211 is imminent.

Here's a link to the Synology datasheet for the DS211.
www.synology.com.pl/pliki/Synology_DS211_Data_Sheet_enu.pdf

 

[alfonz]

DS211 datasheet review... no esata is listed in the hardware spec. The only mention of esata is on the first page.

"Effortless File Backup
The Synology DS211 offers a centralized backup target to consolidate fragmented and unstructured data across a network. PC Users can back up their data to the Synology DS211 using the free Synology Data Replicator software, while Mac OS X users enjoy native Apple® Time Machine integration. A web-based backup wizard is provided for backing up data in the Synology DS211 to another Synology DiskStation or any rsync server via an encrypted transmission, or to an external hard drive via USB or eSATA connection. In addition, backing up to the cloud using Amazon® S3 service is also supported."


something is wrong with the datasheet...

Well, on a positive note, the DDR memory speed increases from 800MHz to 1066MHz.

 

[alfonz]

The DS411J was released today, it's now on the Synolgy product page:

http://www.synology.com/enu/products/DS411j/


Time to start googling for reviews!

 

[alfonz]

Here's a link to the datasheet for the soon to be released Synology DS111:
http://www.synology.com.pl/pliki/Synology_DS111_Data_Sheet_enu.pdf


If you compare the DS111 to the DS211 datasheet :
http://www.synology.com.pl/pliki/Synology_DS211_Data_Sheet_enu.pdf

You'll find one interesting feature listed for the DS111... there's an esata port on the front panel of DS111.

Think the DS211 datasheet is in error?
The DS211 product listing on the European websites had an esata port...
Guess we'll find out soon.

 

[jdabbs]

NCIX expects to have many of the new models available on the 15th. I don't expect US retailers to lag.

 

[taylerdo]

I believe alfonz is correct w/r/t the eSATA port. I noticed the same thing too comparing the DS111. When the DS211 data sheet is revised, my guess is that there will be an eSATA port on the front panel where there now appears to be a blank cover.

What is the processor type on these units? (DS111 / DS211) (Intel?). Also, can the memory be upgraded to 1GB, or is this too much of a hassle to find the right "one"? I know that it may void the warranty to swap memory.

I just ordered a (1) Samsung HD204UI in anticipation of the DS111 or DS211 for local and remote access of all of my photos and possibly files, and local access to all music CDs, DVDs and BDs. Locally through an Integra DTR40.1, and a Sony KDL-EX700. Comments and experiences on this are appreciated, or direction to the appropriate thread is also appreciated. I have no experience whatsoever with the ripping that will be required, settings, etc.

This is for personal use at home, only.

TIA.

Don

 

[alfonz]

Good question about the processor on the DS211,DS111. Since the memory is listed as 16bit DDR1066, and the Write speed is 53MB/Sec, the processor would most likely be a speed bump of the existing 16bit Marvel 88F6281 Kirkwood CPU.

Marvel has a faster version of the Kirkwood SoC, 88F6282.
http://www.marvell.com/products/processors/embedded/kirkwood/88f6282-3_pb.pdf


If this is the correct CPU, it has only two integrated sata ports...

I just looked at the datasheet for the DS109, it also has an external esata port. So the DS211 datasheet is probably correct and only the DS111 will have an external esata port. sorry to get anyone excited about this (myself included).

 

[taylerdo]

alfonz,

But if you look carefully at page one (1) of the data sheet for the DS211, it has the eSATA port. Page two (2) does not ... so stay enthusiastic.

Don.

 

[alfonz]

yeah you're right. Acutally the DS211 looks like a great NAS, with or without esata.

104MB/sec reading almost max's out the GigE port and it only consumes 10.8W idle. Should be very fast for apps at 1.6GHz with 256MB RAM.

 

[taylerdo]

alfonz,

I am sure you may have seen it already, but here is a review on the DS211

http://www.kitguru.net/site-news/hi...ogy-ds211-nas-review-the-ultimate-budget-nas/

Don.