The Synology DiskStation DS218j review:
The Synology Diskstation DS218j is an entry level 2 bay NAS (Network Attached Storage) for home and personal cloud storage. The DS218j is 165 mm (Height) x 100 mm (Width) x 225.5 mm (Depth) and 0.88 kg in weight. The DS218j use the Synology DSM NAS operating system that looks similar to a Windows desktop. With the DSM NAS OS you have access both to Synology and third party apps. To install apps on your NAS simply click on the Package Center. The Package Center give you access to mail server, media server, anti virus, development tools and more. The DS218j is powered by a 1.3GHz 32 bit dual core CPU (Marvell Armada 385 88F6820), 512 MB DDR3 ram (non upgradable) it support 2 x 3.5” SATA hard drive ( 2.5” drives is supported with optional disk holder). Maximum capacity is 28TB ( 2 x 14 TB drive). The DS218j has 1 x RJ-45 1GBE LAN Port and 2 x USB 3.0 port. Synology back the drive with a 2-yr warranty. Up front, you have all the indicators you’ll need, so that you know when it’s connected via LAN, how many disks are active. There’s a dedicated power button for turning the device On/Off.
Things to know before set up the DS218j:
Installing the DMS OS on your NAS open your web browser and enter find.synology.com or diskstation:5000. The web assistant will search for your NAS. If neither works, you can download the Synology Assistant, which should automatically detect and list the DS218j. The next step is to install the DSM OS, you have two options, manual or automatic. The manual installation take less then 5 min. Setting up the DS218j you just follow the on screen set-up wizard. Warning installing the DSM OS will formats your drive and all stored file will be lost. The default raid setup if 2 drive is inserted is Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is an automated RAID management system from Synology. Switching to JBOD (which stands for "just a bunch of disks") give you maximum volume of disk space.
What the DS218j Does well:
Simple installation with easy steps to follow, Easy file management. QuickConnect enables access to files on any Window, Mac or Linux device and The QuickConnect will let you quickly access the NAS without needing to mess with your router. The Control panel lets you setup different permission for each user. The ability to run a plex server. Using Docker to install minecraft server. Synology release updates often and keeps the system up to date with security patches ext. Uploading files is simple, open file station, selected the folder you need then right click in the and selected upload to < selected folder name here >, browser to the file you need ans selected open.
Data transfer speed test:
I was able to achieve upload speed of up to 86 Mb/s using a standard Samsung Sata 3gb/s hard drive. Synology quote Sequential Read/Write performance figures for the DS218j at 113MB/s.
Media server test:
The Package center allows you to install apps. Experience user can install plex to runs a media server, for lest experience user Synology had the DS Video Station. DS Video Station need to be installed on the DS218j. New video is simple to add. Accessing the DS Video Station server you need to Install the DS Video from the Microsoft store. The DS218j doesn't support H.265 HEVC but the DS Video lets your insert the video stream in your windows media player that support the required video codecs.
Pro:
Easy to install and manage, quit when working, QuickConnect enables access to files on any Window, Mac or Linux device, Power usages is great 17.48 W max load and 7.03 W on idle. The USB3.0 ports give easy access to external drives. 2-yr warranty. Synology community/forum. developer tools like Python, Java, Ruby, and even a first party Git server, which I think is pretty neat. There are a few cases where I could see myself using my own personal git server, and I've downloaded it but haven't had the need to use it yet.
Cons:
Drives not hot-swappable, Need to buy 2.5” drives disk holder separately, No Hardware Transcoding Engine for
H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC).
The Synology Diskstation DS218j is an entry level 2 bay NAS (Network Attached Storage) for home and personal cloud storage. The DS218j is 165 mm (Height) x 100 mm (Width) x 225.5 mm (Depth) and 0.88 kg in weight. The DS218j use the Synology DSM NAS operating system that looks similar to a Windows desktop. With the DSM NAS OS you have access both to Synology and third party apps. To install apps on your NAS simply click on the Package Center. The Package Center give you access to mail server, media server, anti virus, development tools and more. The DS218j is powered by a 1.3GHz 32 bit dual core CPU (Marvell Armada 385 88F6820), 512 MB DDR3 ram (non upgradable) it support 2 x 3.5” SATA hard drive ( 2.5” drives is supported with optional disk holder). Maximum capacity is 28TB ( 2 x 14 TB drive). The DS218j has 1 x RJ-45 1GBE LAN Port and 2 x USB 3.0 port. Synology back the drive with a 2-yr warranty. Up front, you have all the indicators you’ll need, so that you know when it’s connected via LAN, how many disks are active. There’s a dedicated power button for turning the device On/Off.
Things to know before set up the DS218j:
Installing the DMS OS on your NAS open your web browser and enter find.synology.com or diskstation:5000. The web assistant will search for your NAS. If neither works, you can download the Synology Assistant, which should automatically detect and list the DS218j. The next step is to install the DSM OS, you have two options, manual or automatic. The manual installation take less then 5 min. Setting up the DS218j you just follow the on screen set-up wizard. Warning installing the DSM OS will formats your drive and all stored file will be lost. The default raid setup if 2 drive is inserted is Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is an automated RAID management system from Synology. Switching to JBOD (which stands for "just a bunch of disks") give you maximum volume of disk space.
What the DS218j Does well:
Simple installation with easy steps to follow, Easy file management. QuickConnect enables access to files on any Window, Mac or Linux device and The QuickConnect will let you quickly access the NAS without needing to mess with your router. The Control panel lets you setup different permission for each user. The ability to run a plex server. Using Docker to install minecraft server. Synology release updates often and keeps the system up to date with security patches ext. Uploading files is simple, open file station, selected the folder you need then right click in the and selected upload to < selected folder name here >, browser to the file you need ans selected open.
Data transfer speed test:
I was able to achieve upload speed of up to 86 Mb/s using a standard Samsung Sata 3gb/s hard drive. Synology quote Sequential Read/Write performance figures for the DS218j at 113MB/s.
Media server test:
The Package center allows you to install apps. Experience user can install plex to runs a media server, for lest experience user Synology had the DS Video Station. DS Video Station need to be installed on the DS218j. New video is simple to add. Accessing the DS Video Station server you need to Install the DS Video from the Microsoft store. The DS218j doesn't support H.265 HEVC but the DS Video lets your insert the video stream in your windows media player that support the required video codecs.
Pro:
Easy to install and manage, quit when working, QuickConnect enables access to files on any Window, Mac or Linux device, Power usages is great 17.48 W max load and 7.03 W on idle. The USB3.0 ports give easy access to external drives. 2-yr warranty. Synology community/forum. developer tools like Python, Java, Ruby, and even a first party Git server, which I think is pretty neat. There are a few cases where I could see myself using my own personal git server, and I've downloaded it but haven't had the need to use it yet.
Cons:
Drives not hot-swappable, Need to buy 2.5” drives disk holder separately, No Hardware Transcoding Engine for
H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC).
