I'm considering replacing an old Isilon system with something simpler for storage. Synology seems to fit the bill, but I'm unsure about how their enterprise offerings hold up. Has anyone here had any experience with using Synology for enterprise solutions? I really want to know if it's reliable enough for that kind of task.
7 Answers
One caveat is their limited warranty and support duration. If you want extended warranties, you have to buy directly from Synology within the first 90 days after purchase, and you can only get up to 5 years. This is something to keep in mind before deciding to go forward with them for critical data.
From what I've seen, Synology isn't ideal for first-line storage. Their support and SLAs don’t quite cut it for critical needs. However, they do work well as backup targets or secondary storage options. Just keep in mind they're more suitable for that kind of role and not necessarily ideal for primary needs.
Exactly! I also use Synology for my less critical storage needs.
If you're looking for more robust options, I would suggest checking out higher-end QNAP products instead. They may offer better performance and reliability.
Synology's enterprise products might look shiny, but you aren’t really getting true enterprise-level service. Their hardware can perform just fine, but don’t expect 4-hour response times or bulletproof support—those just aren’t part of their offerings.
True, the hardware is decent, but they often use rather outdated processors, which is concerning.
Honestly, I view Synology as a consumer or prosumer product. Their SLAs and the quirks in their firmware make them a gamble for serious enterprise work. They can serve their purpose if used wisely, but don’t rely on them as a direct replacement for an Isilon array.
Same here! It might be better to look into a budget PC and run something like OpenNAS instead.
Synology does produce affordable options, especially compared to brands like Nimble or Pure Storage. That said, make sure their performance and features align with your specific requirements. Just remember that they are not built for the same heavy lifting as those higher-end systems.
Exactly! For many businesses, the balance between cost and performance often leans towards something in the MSA-range for storage needs.
They're decent devices for home offices and small setups. For business continuity, using two of them can suffice nicely for disaster recovery needs. Their pricing makes it feasible to have backups sitting on the shelf, which is a great way to avoid lengthy downtimes.
Exactly! I run a pair in a cluster, and having spare parts means I can keep everything running smoothly while waiting for any needed replacements.
Same here! We’ve had a great experience with them in a K-12 environment for a long time.
I totally agree! They do seem better suited for the secondary roles you've mentioned.