Looking for a NAS for files an Backups

[Enquiries]

Hello,
thank you for all the videos and comparisons, they helped me a lot to drill down my options.

However, I'm still a bit uncertain with the final decision.

I'm looking for a Synology NAS, as Active Backup and BTRFS are key factors here.


The NAS is intended for backing up Windows, macOS and a couple of linux servers, as well as pulling in data from Google Drive/Photos.
There is a small amount of videos but nothing that requires transcoding and I'm not intending to use Plex.
I already have about 4TB of existing data and 4 Seagate Ironwolf 4TB drives from a pevious NAS project.
For connectivity the connecting devices support 2.5G and I'm considering adding a non-managed 2.5G switch to my network.

I want to keep the option to host a few services locally, but not extensively.
I'm currently looking at the 923+ or the 1522+. Especially the latter for the additional RAM and network ports as well as more headroom for future disk (maybe even ssd) additions.

Best regards and thanks

[ed]

Thank you for your message and kind words! It’s great to hear that the videos have been helpful in narrowing down your options. Based on your requirements and existing setup, I’d be happy to guide you toward the best Synology NAS for your use case.

Your Requirements Recap:
Backup for Windows, macOS, and Linux servers.
Integration with Google Drive/Photos.
Usage of Active Backup and BTRFS for advanced backup and snapshot features.
Existing 4TB of data and 4x 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives (16TB total).
Future flexibility for local hosting and potential SSD additions.
Preference for 2.5G connectivity.
Recommendations:
Both the DS923+ and DS1522+ are excellent choices for your needs, but here’s a breakdown:

Synology DS923+
Pros:
Powerful AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU.
Supports up to 32GB RAM (upgradeable).
PCIe slot for 10G network card if you decide to go beyond 2.5G.
Ideal for file sharing, backups, and lightweight services.
Cons:
Limited to 4 bays, so future storage expansion will require an external unit (e.g., DX517).
Synology DS1522+
Pros:
Similar power as the DS923+ but with 5 bays, offering more flexibility for additional drives or SSDs.
Dual 1G ports (aggregated) and PCIe upgradeability for 10G.
More future-proof with room to grow storage without adding external expansion units immediately.
Cons:
Slightly more expensive but offers better long-term value with extra bays.
Given your plans to potentially expand storage and the desire for more headroom for services, the DS1522+ is the better option. The additional bay and RAM flexibility make it ideal for long-term use without needing immediate external upgrades.

Connectivity:
Adding a 2.5G unmanaged switch to your network is a good idea, as both models will perform well with this setup. If you foresee heavy concurrent traffic, upgrading the NAS to 10G in the future could also be worth considering.

Existing Drives:
Your Seagate IronWolf 4TB drives are perfectly compatible with either NAS and can be used in a BTRFS RAID 5 configuration, offering about 12TB of usable space with redundancy.

Pricing and Availability:
DS1522+: Around €700 in Germany.
DS923+: Slightly cheaper, typically €600–€650.
Conclusion:
The DS1522+ is my recommendation for your current and future needs. It offers the flexibility to grow, superior connectivity, and ensures your existing drives are utilized effectively.