Comparing the Synology DS215+ vs The Synology DS216+ – Is newer necessarily better?

 

New NAS versus Old NAS? 

Synology NAS have been around a long time and I think I think it is fair to say that they are one of the market leaders when it comes to Network Attached Storage (sharing the top of the market with the likes of QNAP, Western Digital and Seagate). Their release pattern is now so well established with a model number system based on yearly releases that it is fast becoming evident that at a glance you can tell the age of a Synology NAS server just based on it’s name – good for simplicity, good for google SEO!

 However with new units being released each year in their  respective ranges, it is fast becoming a question of whether to buy the latest release or go with a unit with a year or two of pedigree in it. With most modern Synology devices having identical access to the latest Synology DSM NAS software, you can be forgiven in thinking that the units such as the Synology DS214+, DS215+ and DS216+ are just the same unit with a different year slapped on the end.

A peek under the hood

However there is more to these releases than simply chronology. As manufacturers contracts change, hardware licences alter and increasingly efficient hardware becomes available, as well as market preference and demand changing, the contents of these almost identical NAS units can change year on year.

Which brings us to the meat and potatoes of this comparison. Namely, with the recent release of the DS216 + NAS from Synology, is it worth investing your time and money in the latest NAS or see if you can pick up a bargain and get the DS215+ from Synology instead. Is new actually better? Or are you being fleeced just to make you buy the latest release? Below is our video on the subject and if you want to have the answer just in time for your coffee to cool and to polish off that muffin, go ahead and watch! If however, like me, you like to have a good read and want everything in writing, scroll down!

What is the Same?

Whether you purchase the latest Synology NAS DS216+ or are thinking about heading for the older DS215+, there are a number of features that both units can cover amplying. So, regardless of old or new you can:

The Weigh in – Let’s look at those Vital Statistics

The Synology DS215+	The Synology DS216+
Buy HERE at .COM	Buy HERE at .COM
£210 with the VAT	£220+ without VAT
Not Expandable	Not Expandable – Technically. You are able to connect the Synology NAS expansion DX213 and Synology DX513 via the eSATA PORT. However they will only be visible as independent volumes and you cannot spread a RAID across them.
Annapurna AL-212 Dual Core 1.4 GHz 32-bit Architecture	Intel Celeron N3050 Dual-Core 1.6GHz, burst up to 2.16GHz 64-Bit Architecture
EXT 4 – Most commonly used NAS file System	BTRFS File System – Linux Based and completes large numbers of integrity and background operations quicker
1GB of DDR3 Memory / RAM	1GB of DDR3 Memory / RAM
Runs on Latest DSM 5.2 Software (with DSM 6.0 coming out of BETA shortly)	Runs on Latest DSM 5.2 Software (with DSM 6.0 coming out of BETA shortly)
Drives can be Hot-swapped without powering down the NAS server device	Drives can be Hot-swapped without powering down the NAS server device
USB 3.0 x2 1x eSATA 2x LAN – Does not feature One Touch Backup	1x USB 3.0 2x USB 2.0 1X eSATA 1x LAN + 1 touch Backup
2 Year Warranty	2 Year Warranty
Not suitable for HD Transcoding in Plex via  Plex Media Server. However it is useful for a Network Based Kodi Media collection or an Emby server. Light  – not really supported for Plex as it’s an ARM chip. Can Natively transcode but better as a standard mid range NAS than for Video purposes.	4K Transcoding covered by the cheap via native software HD Transcoding also covered in Native and is partially supported by Plex upto 720p AES-NI encryption – More efficient in terms of Power and CPU use when compared to standard AES 256-bit Encryption Great Mid range NAS and though not as powerful as the Synology DS716+ is definitely a suitable cost effective alternative by comparison. No wholly suitable for Plex, it will still outperform the DS215+. Though transcoding of files via Native apps is possible.

Power Consumption	Power Consumption
In operation: 17.57W HDD standby: 9.38W	20.77 W (Access) 8.96 W (HDD Hibernation)
Read and Write Speeds	Read and Write Speeds
Achieved via 1 LAN port, RAID 1 config: 111 MB/s – Read 109 MB/s  – Write Via Encrypted Data Transmissions 113 MB/s – Read 109 MB/s – Write	Achieved via 2 LAN ports, RAID 1 config: *Link Aggregation used* 209.61 MB/s – 139.42 MB/s  – Via Encrypted Data Transmissions 145.78 MB/s 71.21 MB/s
Surveillance (includes 2 licences)	Surveillance (includes 2 licences)
Maximum IP camera: 25	Maximum IP camera: 25
Surveillance FPS on  H.264 750 FPS @ 720p (1280×800) 200 FPS @ 1080p (1920×1080) 150 FPS @ 3M (2048×1536) 100 FPS @ 5M (2591×1944)	Surveillance FPS on  H.264 750 FPS @ 720p (1280×720) 300 FPS @ 1080p (1920×1080) 160 FPS @ 3M (2048×1536) 100 FPS @ 5M (2591×1944)
Surveillance FPS on  .mjpeg 250 FPS @ 720p (1280×800) 100 FPS @ 1080p (1920×1080) 60 FPS @ 3M (2048×1536) 40 FPS @ 5M (2591×1944)	Surveillance FPS on  .mjpeg  300 FPS @ 720p (1280×720) 120 FPS @ 1080p (1920×1080) 90 FPS @ 3M (2048×1536) 60 FPS @ 5M (2591×1944)

Should I stick with the Old NAS or is New NAS the way forward?

The DS215+ is still a good box – Useful for those looking for an affordable NAS with good solid features and support , though not for Plex or a solid Media Centre. There is no ddenying it has earned Synology’s coveted ‘plus’ badge in comparison to the units releases alongside it in 2015. Likewise, the drop in power consumption and dual USB 3.0 ports means that

HOWEVER

Of the two, I would put my weight behind the DS216+ from Synology. There are a multitude of reasons and most are pretty clear both from my video and from those details highlighted above. However to summarize:

• Much better CPU for Traditional NAS and media purposes overall, though that lack of a 2^nd gigabit LAN port will put some off, it is the stornger NAS across traditional NAS tasks such as Network Surveillance, apple time machine backups and media sharing in general.
• Better file system meaning better background operations to ensure the integrity of your data in the form of Btrfs.
• Less in terms of power consumption thanks to a more efficient CPU and the improved encryption system.
• Being able to use an expansion (no not as a spread volume) is a definite plus and although not truly designed for in in the same way as the DS716+ NAS is, it is still a useful addition.
• 4K and better transcoding support provides better cover for more NAS uses
• Better encryption system which on the whole (across a single LAN) provides better transmission speeds whilst still keeping your data safe.

Do you agree? Have you purchased either of these units and beg to differ? Why not let me know in the comments below. Thank for reading.📧 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER 🔔

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