Synology DS2411+

We take notwithstanding to encounter a Synology NAS device that looks bad. We consider the DS411+II to be the best-looking 4-bay model, while the DS1511+ improved that design to become the almost attractive v-bay device. Thus, it should come up every bit no surprise that we believe the DS2411+ is aesthetically superior to all other 8-bay NAS devices and across.

If you thought the DS1511+ occupied a large footprint at 9.76" x 9.17" (248 10 233mm), you may be disappointed to hear that the DS2411+ consumes an fifty-fifty greater desk space with dimensions: xi.81" x 13.38" (300 x 340mm). Beyond that, the device has grown some 72% taller than the DS1511+ with a vertical posture of no less than 10.62" (270mm).

Inevitably that means the DS2411+ also weighs drastically more, tipping the scales at 21.89lbs (9.93kg), or about twice as heavy as the ix.36lbs (4.25kg) DS1511+. Then you need to consider that the average difficult drive weighs about 1.50lbs (0.68kg), and so fully loaded the DS2411+ will weigh around 40lbs (18.15kg).

The front end of the case features twelve hot-swappable bulldoze trophy, each with a pair of dark-green activeness lights. Synology has designed these bays in a style that are very practical.

Rather than mount an unattractive lock on each bay every bit QNAP does with many of their loftier-finish units, Synology has merely included a small-scale lock at the top of the unit of measurement which allows the user to lock or unlock every bay. Because this is a business-form product, security is a concern and the DS2411+ does a fair job of physically securing each drive.

One time unlocked, the bays are like shooting fish in a barrel to release as you just take to press down on them. Sliding the drives in and out of the DS2411+ is a breeze.

Above the hot-swappable bulldoze bays are four more activity LEDs which bespeak status, LAN1, LAN2, and alert.

Spinning effectually to the back of the DS2411+ reveals a pair of 120mm fans, dual Gigabit LAN ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports, a COM port and a VGA port. There is also a 3-pin power connector that attaches to a standard PC power plug, meaning the ability supply is located internally.

Past installing the power supply inside the enclosure, you don't accept to worry nigh dealing with external power bricks, which could get a nuisance for those pairing the DS2411+ with a DX1211 expansion enclosure. Speaking of which, the DX1211 supports another 12 drives expanding the maximum storage capacity to an incredible 72TB.

Synology has also included a manufactory reset button along with an InfiniBand port labeled "expansion." In the by, the company used eSATA to connect their expansion devices but the DS2411+ requires more than bandwidth than a single 3Gb/due south SATA port can evangelize. The InfiniBand cable tin can carry 12Gb/due south of information to and from the DS2411+ for maximum throughput.

The dual Gigabit LAN ports are used to achieve the claimed 165MB/s write and 195MB/s read performance. They do this by using Link Assemblage technology which allows grouping several physical Ethernet links to create one logical Ethernet link for the purpose of providing fault-tolerance and loftier-speed links between switches, routers, servers and in this example the Synology DS2411+.

You should notice the lack of front mounted connectivity and this is becoming common exercise for high-end Synology products. Those wanting to quickly adhere an external hard drive will have to proceeds access to the rear of the DS2411+, which could be a hassle. Considering the intended purpose of this device, most data is going to be transmitted to and from using the network anyway.