Replacing a Synology DS115j

[shameild]

Hi
I am getting concerned that my Synology DS115j is getting old and ought to be replaced before it actually fails. I purchased it in August 2017 so it is 7+ years old.
It was my first NAS and at the time was an experiment in digitizing CDs. Turns out the experiment was a success and I am now committed to maintaining my music library on a NAS in FLAC format.
The DSM seems slow, but I can live with that. I am okay with the single bay because I run Cloud Sync to backup my music to OneDrive...unless there is a better way.
Should I replace the DS115j now or can I wait until it actually fails?

[ed]

It sounds like the Synology DS115j has served you well, especially for a first NAS, but now that it's getting up there in age, it's understandable that you're considering upgrading before it fails.

Here are a few things to think about:

1. Performance Issues
If the DSM (DiskStation Manager) seems slow, that could be a sign of wear and tear or limitations of the older hardware. While you can certainly continue using it, performance may degrade over time, especially as software updates and features demand more resources. Upgrading to a newer model would give you better performance and more efficient software support.

2. Data Security
With only a single bay, your DS115j doesn’t offer redundancy (RAID 1, for example), so if the drive fails, you could lose all your music files. Even though you're backing up to OneDrive, local redundancy might provide an extra layer of security. You might want to consider replacing it with a model that supports multiple drives in RAID 1 or 5 for better data protection.

3. New Features and Future-Proofing
Newer Synology models come with enhanced features like faster processors, more RAM, and better support for modern apps (e.g., music streaming, cloud integrations, etc.). This will improve your overall experience, especially if you plan to expand or upgrade your storage needs.

4. When to Replace
While you can wait for the DS115j to fail, it’s better to upgrade before any failure occurs—especially since your music library is important and irreplaceable in FLAC format. Upgrading now means you don’t have to worry about downtime or data loss. If you can afford it, upgrading proactively will give you peace of mind.

5. Better Backup Options
Cloud Sync is a great start, but you might want to consider local backups (e.g., an external hard drive or a second NAS for backup). This gives you a quick recovery option in case something goes wrong with OneDrive. You could also explore more robust backup solutions like Hyper Backup or Snapshot Replication on a new model.

Recommendations:
Upgrade Soon: If your budget allows, consider replacing the DS115j now before it fails. A Synology DS220+ or DS423+ would be a good option, offering better performance, better redundancy, and support for future storage needs.
Continue Using It Until It Fails: If you’re okay with the performance limitations and the risk of failure, you can keep using the DS115j for now. But ensure you have multiple backup copies of your music library to avoid data loss.
In either case, it’s a good idea to start researching your options now and plan ahead.