NAS selection

[Enquiries]

What do you recommend for 2-bay NAS (Raid 1 config) to be used for home file sharing and backup, music and home-video playing? No website serving or business uses. Also must be able to run automatic backup to external USB-connected 8TB HD (i.e., backup in case NAS controller failure). Want software easy to use/understand for first-time NAS user. Thanks!

[ed]

Thank you for your email! Based on your requirements and budget, I recommend the Synology DS224+ for your home setup. This NAS is an excellent choice for file sharing, backups, and playing music or home videos, while being user-friendly for a first-time NAS user.

The DS224+ is powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 processor and comes with 2GB of memory, which is expandable if you need more power in the future. Synology’s DSM software is known for its simplicity and ease of use, so setting it up and managing your files will be a breeze. It also supports RAID 1, which mirrors your data across two drives, ensuring that your files are safe even if one of the drives fails.

A standout feature of the DS224+ is its ability to perform automatic backups to an external USB drive, which fits perfectly with your need to connect an 8TB external hard drive. This provides an additional layer of protection in case of any issues with the NAS itself.

For storage, I suggest pairing the NAS with either Seagate IronWolf 8TB or WD Red Plus 8TB drives. These are reliable, NAS-optimized drives designed for continuous operation and RAID configurations.

The DS224+ is currently live and available for purchase, and the total cost for the NAS and two drives should be around $850, depending on local pricing. This setup will provide you with a robust, reliable, and easy-to-manage system for your needs.