2004 to 2017- A Guide to the popular 2-Bay Synology NAS Server Range and how it has Evolved
Before we get to grips with the Synology 2-Bay NAS series over the years, it is important to take a look a little further back at the first 1 Bay NAS units they ever produced. back in 2004, home based NAS servers were very much in their infancy and lacked many, many of the popular software features that have made them a staple in many homes and offices today. With painfully low power CPU and modest amounts of memory (even for 2004 it was a low power unit, but this was chiefly to keep costs down but features high in the first version of the DSM software) they were designed for predominantly low level files access and backups. Network speeds were still low enough that even if the unit had the power to stream high quality media, your internet connection and bandwidth were probably too poor to take advantage of it.
The Synology DS-101 Network Attached Storage Device is released to the Public
The DS-101 arrived in three forms:
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The Synology DS-101 NAS
3 in 1 Server: Backup Server, File Server and Printer Server Intel IXP420BB CPU + 64MB RAM |
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The Synology DS101G+ NAS
6 in 1 Server: File Server, Backup Server, Printer Server, FTP Server, Photo Station and Web Station Freescale MPC8245 266MHz+ 64MB RAM |
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The Synology DS-101J NAS
UPnP Multimedia Server, Download Station, Web Server with PHP+MySQL, File Server, Printer Server, Photo Station with Album Control, FTP Support with Anonymous & Bandwidth Control XScale FWIXP420BB 266MHz+ 64MB RAM |
Synology would continue to release 1-Bay and 4-Bay RAID enabled NAS units in the years that followed, but not in the annual release time frame they have now and with the 4-Bay units often never making out of the east. Of course the Hardware and software of these later units would improve over time, but with RAID solutions only arriving in 4-Bay more expensive devices, the market was waiting on a solid two Bay NAS solution.
2007 – The Synology DS207 2-Bay Network Attached Storage Device now becomes available
After the release of numerous 1 and 4 Bay NAS server devices, Synology finally released what the market wanted a RAID 1 (mirror) compact 2-Bay NAS device. Launching in two versions (a standard and a double the power pro version) this 2-Bay shot too success very quickly indeed. Alongside the innovations in software over the years in their often updated DSM NAS operating system and stability, there were also numerous physical improvements in chassis and port design. Three USB ports (one with a quick copy button) along with eSATA 6GBs support a host of LED system indicators and easy drive installation meant that this unit would shape up to the a benchmark NAS in the history of Network Attached Storage.
CPU Clock Rate: 266 MHz RAM Size: 64MB |
The Synology DS207 NAS
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CPU Clock Rate: 500 MHz RAM Size: 128MB |
The Synology DS207+ NAS
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2009 – The Synology DS209 2-Bay Network Attached Storage range begins to diversify
By 2009, Synology NAS had really found it’s footing. Releasing their first 5-Bay NAS the year before (a unit that was the middle ground in terms of size and power between home and business users) Synology Had a good grasp of what the NAS community wanted. Thery started diversifying their releases in terms of task specific versions to appeal to differing budgets and demand. The Synology 2-Bay Series for 2009 featured a cost-effective file server and low multimedia requirement targeted NAS in the DS209J, a standard bells and whistles Synology DS209 and two high end/Premium NAS servers that both had (for that time) impressive specs and with the newly released and improved DSM 2.1 (featurinng improved AJAX-Based Management Interface, Windows ADS Support, Encrypted Network Backup, Encrypted FTP with Hack Prevention, Business Mail Server, Corporate Surveillance and Schedule Power On/Off) the DS209 2-Bay Synology NAS series would be the start of a new way of arranging their releases.
CPU: 266MHz, 32bit@133, with floating point RAM Size: 64MB |
The Synology DS209J NAS
Designed to provide users with a cost-effective solution to increase productivity. Packed with the Synology Disk Station Manager 2.2, it delivers ease of use and variety of features. Furthermore, the optional Synology 2.5” Disk Holder provides an easy way for users to deploy 2.5” hard drives on the DS209j, bringing the library quietness, power saving, and higher reliability for the DS209j. |
CPU: 1.2GHz, 16bit@DDR800 RAM Size: 256MB |
The Synology DS209 NAS
Designed to provide users with a flexible solution to share files and increase productivity. Packed with the Synology Disk Station Manager 2.2, it delivers ease of use and variety of features. Furthermore, the optional Synology 2.5” Disk Holder provides an easy way for users to deploy 2.5” hard drives on the DS209, bringing the library quietness, power saving, and higher reliability for the DS209 |
CPU Clock Rate: 800 MHz RAM Size: 512MB |
The Synology DS209+ NAS
A speedy, smart, and energy saving NAS server to facilitate your office works and maximize your work efficiency; a NAS server with its rich functions and extensive support are well structured on the intuitive and responsive interfaces of Synology Disk Station Manager 2.0 – the DS209+ is the ideal choice for businesses and entry corporations demanding ultra-high performance NAS server of proficient storage capacity scale. |
CPU: 1.06GHz, 64bit@DDR533, with floating point RAM Size: 512MB |
The Synology DS207+ NAS
Offering PC server equivalent performance for efficient data sharing and backup. Its high performance coupled with sophisticated Synology Disk Station Manager 2.1 provides an ideal solution for cross platform sharing, secure server backup, Windows ADS integration, business mail server, and corporate surveillance. |
2010 – The Synology DS210 2-Bay Network Attached Storage range gets bigger and better
By 2010 Synology NAS was at it’s strongest position yet. Both the Hardware and the software available with Synology NAS devices had come forward leaps and bounds. The 2-Bay series made another leap in 2010 with the release of their expandable storage NAS. Synology had unveiled the DX510 Expansion Chassis and this coupled with the DS710+ would mean you could expand you 2 HDD of storage up by an additional 250% to 7 HDD Bays – via the connection of an eSATA port on the DS710+ NAS device. In 2010 Synology would release a budget cost effective 2 Bay, a PLUS series high performance server and the expandable high end NAS mentioned.
CPU Clock Rate: 800MHz, 16bit@DDR800 RAM Size: 128MB |
The Synology DS210J NAS
Designed to provide a cost-effective file storage and backup solution with RAID protection for home users. The system firmware, Synology Disk Station Manager 2.2, delivers rich features for multimedia enjoyments, worry-free backup, Internet sharing, and energy-saving options |
CPU: 1.06GHz, 64bit@DDR533, with floating point RAM Size: 512MB |
The Synology DS210+ NAS
Offering a high-performance, secure, and full-featured network attached storage solution that helps small and medium-sized businesses centralize backup, protect critical assets and share files quickly and efficiently. Synology protects your investment in the DS210+ with a 2-year limited warranty. |
1.67GHz, with floating point RAM Size: 1 GB (64bit@DDR800) |
The Synology DS710+ NAS
Offering a high-performance, scalable, and full-featured network attached storage solution that meets the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that require an efficient way to centralize data protection, simplify data management, and rapidly scale storage capacity with minimal time spent on setup and management. The Synology DS710+ is backed with Synology’s 3-year limited warranty. |
NO CPU OR RAM |
The Synology DX510 NAS
Delivers an effortless solution for volume expansion and data backup for selected Synology DiskStations. The DX510 smoothly scales the storage capacity of the Synology DiskStation by an additional 5 hard drives on the fly when firmly connected directly to the Synology DiskStation, ensuring a reliable expansion solution. |
2011 – The Synology DS211 2-Bay NAS Series becomes available in cost effect, standard, Plus and Premium
By this time, Synology had most it’s range in place. There were still a few more job specific NAS units still to come in the years after but by now the popular 1-Bay, 2-Bay, 4-Bay, 5-Bay and even a 12-Bay NAS were available. Each of course had it’s own storage options, as well as RAID configurations and Hardware options. Also around this time Synology DSM software was in it’s newest Beta and would be released, at the same time being available to older units that had the hardware to support it. This kind of non stop software support and backwards compatibility was another one of the main reasons that many users found the Synology 2-Bay NAS series so appealing.
CPU Clock Rate: 1.2GHz, 16bit@DDR800 RAM Size: 128MB |
The Synology DS211J NAS
Designed to provide a cost-effective file storage and backup solution with RAID protection for your home environments. The operating system, Synology DiskStation Manager, delivers rich features for multimedia enjoyments, worry-free backup, Internet sharing, and energy-saving options. s |
CPU Frequency: 1.6GHz Memory: 256MB |
The Synology DS211 NAS
An affordable and full-featured 2-bay NAS server designed to increase productivity for business workgroups. Cross platform file sharing, rich office applications, data backup and security are easily achieved in a flexible solution. Running on DiskStation Manager 3.0 (DSM 3.0) operating system, it delivers ease of use and variety of features. |
CPU Frequency: 1.6GHz 512MB |
The Synology DS211+ NAS
Offering a high-performance, secure, and full-featured network attached storage solution that helps small and medium-sized businesses centralize backup, protect critical assets and share files quickly and efficiently. Synology protects your investment in the DS211+ with a 2-year limited warranty. |
2012 – The Synology DS212 2-Bay Network Attached Storage range gets USB 3.0, better CPUs, SD Card Readers and more
The 2012 2-Bay NAS series from Synology would prove to be a much more streamlined production system from Synology. Their approach to design after years of slighted dated looking chassis would be uniform accross the board, both in terms of colour and design. The economy/budget/cost effect NAS units would be in a white chipped based casing that would be partial deconstruction to install HDD inside (so no hot swapping of drives when you needed to increase storage or recover from a RAID 1). The Standard and PLUS series units would use a clickable, too-less tray deign for loading HDD media, enabled hot swapping, an SD Card reader, USB 3.0 and a removable front panel for drive covering and shielded design. Finally the PLUS Expansion NAS 2-Bay DS7xx units would have a much more metallic chassis (though still black) with improved trays, dual LAN ports to effective double read and write into the device and improved ports throughout.
CPU Frequency: 1.2GHz Memory: 256MB |
The Synology DS212J NAS
Designed to provide a solution of file storage and sharing with data protection for your home environment with low power consumption, quiet operation and reliability. Running on DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, it delivers ease of use and a variety of features |
CPU Frequency: 1.6GHz Memory: 256MB |
The Synology DS212 NAS
Offering an affordable and full-featured network attached storage solution, specifically designed for small business workgroup users who need to share and protect data cost-effectively, while increasing productivity with comprehensive business-oriented applications. Running on DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, it delivers ease of use and variety of features. |
CPU Frequency: 2.0GHz Memory: 512MB |
The Synology DS212+ NAS
Offering a high-performance, secure, and full-featured network attached storage solution that helps small and medium-sized businesses centralize backup, protect critical assets and share files quickly and efficiently. Synology protects your investment in the DS212+ with a 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: 1.8GHz, with floating point RAM Size: 1GB |
The Synology DS712+ NAS
Offering a high-performance, scalable, and full-featured network attached storage solution that meets the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that require an efficient way to centralize data protection, simplify data management, and rapidly scale storage capacity with minimal time spent on setup and management. The Synology DS712+ is backed with Synology’s 3-year limited warranty. |
2013 – The Synology DS213 2-Bay NAS gets innovative with Dual Core CPU models, Wireless Connectivity and the Intel Atom CPU
In his year, Synology would release a new kind of NAS in an effort to capitalise on an increased Wireless presence in the home and offices worldwide. The DS213air would be their first wireless NAS device. Sadly the unit would not be as popular as they hoped and a follow up would never be released. It was a shame because up until then a Wireless NAS would virtually unheard of and the for offices in need of a solution that would live in the same room as them, yet their Router/Network switch was in another area, a solution like this would be perfect. Sadly with reduced transmission speeds, a weak CPU and RAM and poor upgrading options, it never really took off. Elsewhere the rest of the 2-Bay NAS series would be released aNd would NOT be a disappointment in terms of hardware. Synology really began to diversify into newer and unseen CPU, even unveiling a new Intel Atom Dual Core CPU – a NAS Enabled CPU that would fast become a NAS standard from Synology, QNAP, Thecus, Asustor and more.
CPU – Marvell Kirkwood 1.2GHz Memory: DDR3 512MB |
The Synology DS213j NAS
A budget-friendly 2-bay NAS server for small offices and home use, specifically designed to provide a solution for file storage and sharing with data protection for your home environment with low power consumption, quiet operation and reliability. Running on DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, it delivers ease of use and variety of features. |
CPU – Marvell Kirkwood 1.6GHzz Memory: 256MB DDR3 |
The Synology DS213air NAS
A one stop solution for wireless sharing, web applications and centralized storage. Specifically designed for small office and home users who need the convenient solution of wireless sharing capability with full-featured network attached storage, to share and protect data cost-effectively, while increasing productivity with comprehensive office applications. |
CPU Frequency: 2.0GHz Memory: 512MB |
The Synology DS213 NAS
A feature-rich 2-bay NAS server for workgroups and offices, specifically designed for users who need to share and protect data cost-effectively, while increasing productivity with comprehensive office applications. |
CPU: Freescale QorIQ 1.067GHz Dual Core RAM Size: 512MB |
The Synology DS213+ NAS
Offering a high-performance 2-bay all-in-1 NAS server for SMB users. Offering high-performance, energy efficiency, and full list of business features in a network attached storage solution that helps small and medium-sized businesses centralize backup, protect critical assets and share files quickly and efficiently. |
CPU: Intel Atom Dual Core 2.13 GHz RAM Size: 1GB DDR3 |
The Synology DS713+ NAS
Keeping up with the evolving needs of your business can be challenging. Get a head start with Synology® DiskStation DS713+ and its high-performance, straightforward approach to datamanagement and protection. Whenever you’re ready, upgrade capacity with ease by adding an expansion unit. The Synology DiskStation DS713+ is backed with Synology’s 3-year limited warranty. |
2014 – The Synology DS214 2-Bay NAS includes a SUPER Budget NAS, standard, Plus and a brand new Multimedia specialised PLAY model
For Synology, 2014 seems to be when they released some of their most iconic units. Home users had really embraced the advantages of a private cloud storage at their finger tips and likewise media access via network enabled DLNA devices had jumped enormously. This coupled with internet speeds increasing exponentially worldwide meant that a well purchased NAS would be a sound investment in years to come from those in the business sector, those wanting to download or stream the movies & music, or even the low, low data use person that just wants to backup the occasional file or backup a mail server easily. Synology released their PLAY series of media enabled devices as well as their new SE budget model that had specs that would have looked a bit light even in 2011 – but priced at below £99.
CPU – Marvell Armada 370 800MHz Memory: 256MB DDR3 |
The Synology DS214SE NAS
A budget-friendly two-bay NAS device with the capability to host, share and protect data. Sharing the variety of packages in DSM Package Center, DS214se helps beginners explore the infinite possibilities of Synology NAS. |
CPU: Marvell Armada XP Dual Core 1.066GHz Memory: 512MB DDR3 |
The Synology DS214 NAS
A feature-rich 2-bay NAS server for workgroups and offices, specifically designed for users who need to share and protect data cost-effectively, while increasing productivity with comprehensive office applications. |
CPU: Marvell Armada XP Dual Core 1.33GHz RAM Size: DDR3 1GB |
The Synology DS214+ NAS
A high-performance 2-bay all-in-1 NAS server for small and medium business users. Elaborately designed for multitasking applications, DS214+ offers high-performance, energy efficiency, and complete business features in a network attached storage solution that helps small and medium businesses centralize backup, protect critical assets and share files quickly and efficiently. |
CPU: Intel Atom Dual Core 1.6 GHz RAM Size: 1GB DDR3 |
The Synology DS214PLAY NAS
A two-bay NAS designed to serve as your ultimate media center. Optimized for multimedia processing, DS214play aims to fulfill increasing need for high-quality photo, music and video streaming, while keeping all other aspects of NAS uncompromised. |
2015 – The Synology DS215 2-Bay NAS range gets smaller
2015 was a strange year for Synology NAS. For reasons best know to them, their range of NAS server devices was a much small release figure. Whether it was to get more money from their previous DS214 release or to create an alternate 2 year release schedule for their ever growing range of NAS devices (with the SE, + and Expandable NAS range one year. Then the next releasing their PLAY, J and Standard). Whatever the reason, 2015 was a relatively quiet year for the release of 2-Bay Synology NAS devices. 2016 however would more than make up for that…
CPU: Marvell Armada 375 Dual Core 800 MHz Memory: 512MB DDR3 |
The Synology DS215J NAS
A 2-bay NAS server designed for home and personal users to enjoy effortless data sharing, multimedia streaming, and cloud synchronization, while keeping data safe and secure. Running on Synology DiskStation Manager, DS215j delivers an abundance of feature-rich applications to enhance your digital life. |
CPU: Annapurna Labs Alpine AL-212 dual-core 1.4GHz RAM Size: DDR3 1GB |
The Synology DS215+ NAS
A high-performance 2-bay all-in-one NAS server for small and medium business users. Elaborately designed for multitasking applications, DS215+ offers energy efficiency and complete business features in a network attached storage solution that helps small and medium business centralize backup, protect critical assets and share files quickly and efficiently. Synology DS215+ is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: Annapurna Labs Alpine AL-314 Quad Core 1.4GHz RAM Size: DDR3 2GB |
The Synology DS715 NAS
The first 2-bay Value Series model with a quad-core CPU, hardware encryption engine, and the scalability of up to 7 drives, providing the most cost-effective storage or surveillance solution for growing businesses to efficiently manage, protect, and share data. Synology DS715 is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. Additionally it is Synology’s first Quad Core 2 Bay NAS along with an impressive 2GB of DDR3 Memory. |
2016 – The Synology DS216 2-Bay NAS is bigger than ever with 9 Releases
Probably the biggest year in Synology’s NAS range, the DS216 Series included every single Synology NAS model. Alongside this the SE, J, PLAY and PLUS series would be added to with a NVR (Network Video Recorder) 2-Bay NAS device in the NVR216. Alongside this the Synology NAS CPU in the DS216+ and DS716+ (the latter of which is easily the best and most popular Synology NAS 2-Bay ever released) would run into production problems where demand would result in the Intel CPU chip not being available a newer and more powerful Intel CPU being issued. In an effort to differentiate this newer CPU enabled version of the device (with teh newer unit costing more to produce and therefore higher price tag for the consumer) the DS716+II and DS216+II were released to highlight the upgraded CPU and thus bringing the total number of 2-Bay NAS in the Synology DS216 range to 9 releases.
CPU: Marvell Armada 370 800MHz Memory: DDR3 256MB |
The Synology DS216se NAS
A budget-friendly two-bay NAS device with the capability to host, share and protect data. Sharing the variety of packages in DSM Package Center, DS216se helps beginners explore the infinite possibilities of Synology NAS. Synology DS216se is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: Marvell Armada 385 88F6820 dual-core 1.0GHz RAM Size: DDR3 512MB |
The Synology DS216j NAS
A 2-bay NAS server which perfectly fits home and personal users to build your own personal cloud. Simple yet powerful, Synology DS216j offers you a new experience of effortless data sharing, multimedia streaming, and cloud synchronization under its neat and sleek appearance. Synology DS216j is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: Marvell Armada 88F6820 dual-core 1.3GHz RAM Size: DDR3 512MB |
The Synology DS216 NAS
The feature-rich 2-bay NAS server for workgroups and office environments, specifically designed for users who need to share and protect data effectively, while increasing productivity with comprehensive office applications. Synology DS216 is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: Intel Celeron N3050 dual-core 1.6GHz, burst up to 2.16GHz Memory: DDR3 1GB |
The Synology DS216+ NAS
Powered by a new dual-core CPU from Intel®, DS216+ comes with hardwareaccelerated data encryption and real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD source content. Synology DiskStation DS216+ is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 dual-core 1.6GHz, burst up to 2.48GHz RAM Size: DDR3 1GB |
The Synology DS216+II NAS
Safe data storage and ultra high definition video sharing with Synology DiskStation DS216+II. Powered by an Intel® Celeron® dual-core CPU, DS216+II comes with hardware-accelerated data encryption and real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD source content. Synology DiskStation DS216+II is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. |
CPU: STM STiH412 dual-core 1.5GHz RAM Size: DDR3 1GB |
The Synology DS216PLAY NAS
The two-bay feature-rich NAS with powerful multimedia processing and real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD source content, perfect for multimedia and file sharing. Synology DS216play is backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty |
CPU: Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core 1.6GHz, turbo up to 2.08GHz Memory: DDR3 2GB |
The Synology DS716+ NAS
A Compact yet powerful, DS716+ newly features an Intel® quad-core CPU with AES-NI hardware encryption engine and 2GB RAM, providing outstanding performance and data encryption acceleration along with real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD source content. Synology DiskStation DS716+ is backed with Synology’s 3-year limited warranty. Arrives with the Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core 1.6GHz, turbo up to 2.08GHz |
CPU: Intel Celeron N3160 quad-core 1.6GHz, burst up to 2.24GHz RAM Size: DDR3 2GB |
The Synology DS716+II NAS
Fulfill your needs for safe data storage and ultra high definition video sharing with Synology DiskStation DS716+II. Compact yet powerful, DS716+II features an Intel® quad-core CPU with AES-NI hardware encryption engine and 2GB RAM, providing outstanding performance and data encryption acceleration along with real-time transcoding of 4K Ultra HD source content. Synology DiskStation DS716+II is backed with Synology’s 3-year limited warranty. |
CPU: Embedded NVR SoC dual-core 1.0Ghz RAM Size: DDR3 1GB |
The Synology NVR216 NAS
The First PC-less, all-in-one, and energy efficient private surveillance solution from Synology. Featuring a dedicated HDMI output to display 1080p Surveillance Station on a monitor without the need for a computer. NVR216 supports up to 9 channels of live view feeds from 720p/30fps. It is also possible to support up to 5 megapixel resolution with less FPS or less channels. |
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