Synology

Synology DS218+ 2-Bay NAS DiskStation (Diskless)

4.7 (2604 reviews)
4K

High-Performance NAS for Data Protection and Sharing The Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS218+ is a versatile network-attached storage solution designed for data protection and file sharing. Featuring a dual-core processor, encryption acceleration, and 4K transcoding support, it is ideal for hom...

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Overview

High-Performance NAS for Data Protection and Sharing

The Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS218+ is a versatile network-attached storage solution designed for data protection and file sharing. Featuring a dual-core processor, encryption acceleration, and 4K transcoding support, it is ideal for home and small business environments.

Specifications

  • Brand: Synology
  • Model: DS218+
  • Number of Bays: 2
  • Processor: Dual-core with AES-NI encryption engine
  • RAM: 2GB DDR3L (expandable up to 6GB)
  • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet
  • File System: Advanced Btrfs file system with 65,000 system-wide snapshots
  • Video Transcoding: Live transcoding of up to two concurrent H.265/H.264 4K video streams

Key Features

Encrypted sequential throughput performance at over 113 MB/s reading and 112 MB/s writing

Dual-core Processor with AES-NI encryption engine

2GB DDR3L memory (expandable up to 6GB)

Advanced Bars file system offering 65, 000 system-wide snapshots and 1, 024 snapshots per shared folder

Live transcoding of up to two concurrent H. 265/H. 264 4K video streaming

By default, two camera licenses are installed; extra licenses can be purchased (CLP1, CLP4, or CLP8)

Specifications

Processor
Dual-core with AES-NI encryption engine
Memory
2GB DDR3L (expandable up to 6GB)
Encrypted Sequential Read Throughput
Over 113 MB/s
Encrypted Sequential Write Throughput
Over 112 MB/s
File System
Advanced Btrfs
System-wide Snapshots
65,000
Snapshots Per Shared Folder
1,024
Video Transcoding
Live transcoding of up to two concurrent H.265/H.264 4K video streams
Camera Licenses Included
Two
Additional Camera Licenses
CLP1, CLP4, or CLP8 (purchased separately)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Features an encrypted sequential throughput performance of over 113 MB/s reading and 112 MB/s writing, ensuring efficient data handling.
  • Equipped with a dual-core processor and an AES-NI encryption engine, providing robust performance with hardware-accelerated data security.
  • Comes with 2GB DDR3L memory, which is expandable up to 6GB, allowing for enhanced multitasking and application responsiveness.
  • Utilizes an advanced Btrfs file system, offering 65,000 system-wide snapshots and 1,024 snapshots per shared folder for robust data protection.
  • Supports live transcoding of up to two concurrent H.265/H.264 4K video streams, making it suitable for media enthusiasts.

👎 Cons

  • The Synology DS218+ is a diskless NAS, meaning hard drives are not included and must be purchased separately, adding to the initial cost.
  • The base 2GB DDR3L memory, while expandable, might be a limiting factor for very intensive applications before upgrading.
  • While it comes with two camera licenses, additional licenses for IP cameras (CLP1, CLP4, or CLP8) must be purchased separately for larger surveillance setups.
  • The transcoding capabilities are specific to H.265/H.264 4K, and performance may vary with other video formats or higher resolutions.
  • Being a 2-bay NAS, its maximum storage capacity is inherently limited compared to larger, multi-bay systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Synology DS218+ is a diskless NAS, meaning you need to purchase and install your own hard drives separately.
It is powered by a dual-core processor that features an AES-NI encryption engine, enabling both strong performance and hardware-accelerated data encryption.
Yes, the Synology DS218+ comes with 2GB DDR3L memory and is expandable up to 6GB for increased performance.
The DS218+ offers an encrypted sequential throughput performance of over 113 MB/s for reading and 112 MB/s for writing.
Yes, it supports live transcoding of up to two concurrent H.265/H.264 4K video streams, making it suitable for multimedia applications.
The advanced Btrfs file system provides robust data protection with features like 65,000 system-wide snapshots and 1,024 snapshots per shared folder.
By default, the Synology DS218+ comes with two camera licenses installed, with options to purchase additional licenses (CLP1, CLP4, or CLP8) if needed.