ld13
Honorary Master
Unboxing the Synology DS923+
<The inspiration for this photograph was completely original and in no way stolen
The moment I set eyes on the Synology DiskStation DS923+, I was captivated. This sleek, black 4-bay NAS device exuded power and potential, powered by a 2-core, 3.1Ghz AMD Ryzen R1600, with 4GB upgradable ECC RAM, NVMe support, beckoning me to uncover its capabilities. And, oh, did it deliver!
Unboxing the DS923+ was a magical experience, akin to unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning. I admired its sturdy yet elegant design, feeling reassured that this NAS would soon become my office's beating heart, semi-(re)placing my DS220+.
Setting Up the DS923+
The setup process was surprisingly smooth, in stark contrast to my photography and editing skills. I easily inserted a few drives, and just like that, the DS923+ came to life. I effortlessly created a couple of volumes, and the adventure began:
Delving into the DS923+, I was struck by the Synology Active Backup feature for SaaS integration. It was nothing short of a game-changer. With it, I could safeguard the server(s), my DS220+*, and precious tenant data on Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and even our virtual servers—all without breaking the bank on license renewals and recurring fees. The peace of mind it brought was simply priceless.
*And as murphy would have it, my DS220+ would not back up using Synology Active Backup as the required agent was not in the Package Centre. A quick hop over onto the Synology support chat confirmed that I would need to upgrade from DSM 6.2 to DSM 7.1 etc. – a job for another day.
Within just 28 minutes, I had successfully kickstarted the back-up of the server, 10 devices, 76 users across three teams and two tenants. The ease and efficiency were refreshing amid today's complex technology landscape. The DS923+ even detected the need for special API access to back up our Teams instances, providing a helpful link and the necessary parameters to request access from Microsoft.
Key Features I Loved:
- Navigating the user-friendly DSM operating system was an absolute breeze.
- The desktop icons and intuitive interface gave me a sense of command over my own mini data metropolis.
- My wife can log in and get her Plex fix and at the same time my colleague from work could be restoring an accidental deletion – an absolute win in my book.
This NAS device has become an indispensable ally at home and at the office, providing an all-in-one storage, backup, and business security I'd always longed for. It’s the media server/plex at home, and the backup to the backup at work. Its allure lies not just in its powerful performance but also its intuitive design and seamless SaaS platform integration.
My journey with the Synology DiskStation DS923+ has been a love affair with technology. And as I continue to embark on this exhilarating journey with my trusty NAS(es?), I can't help but feel a sense of reassurance knowing that my data is in safe hands.
I would like to thank Synology and MyBroadband for providing me with a review unit for this review
