The Synology DS1817+ and DS1517+ NAS – Feedback from the Internet!

Rob Andrews

8 years ago

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1 What do NAS users think of the long awaited Synology DS1817+ and DS1517+ for 2017?

2 What is an Intel Avaton, an Intel Atom and why are people getting so worked up?

3 Reception to the Synology DS1817+ NAS and DS1517+ NAS

4 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

What do NAS users think of the long awaited Synology DS1817+ and DS1517+ for 2017?

I think it is safe to say that the wait for the release of a high end desktop from Synology NAS in a follow up to the popular DS1815+ and DS1515+ released back in 2015 has been hotly anticipated. A large number of users after seeing the release of the Synology DS916+ 4-Bay NAS back in Summer 2016, naturally assumed that a 8 and 5 Bay follow up was only just around the corner – therefore deciding to wait until it’s announcement and release to pull the trigger and buy. However now the brand new NAS for 2017, the DS1817+ and DS1517+ have finally been revealed, a number of you out there are a little disappointed.

Perhaps they feel that they expected the devices(s) to be a little more competitive with the devices being uncovered by QNAP NAS in the last 12 months (providing i7 and Graphic enabled AMD CPU, Thunderbolt 3 and DAS connectivity). Something that has long been a complaint. However you do have to always bear in mind that Synology aims at complete network connectivity, whereas the QNAP NAS series tends to keep things spread on both network and direct connectivity. This can often mean that the hardware required be a little more powerful to multi-task. However many too often highlight that in spite of this, the overall cost vs value of hardware under the bonnet does is not likewise between QNAP and Synology and can often be the deciding factor when pulling the pin and buying your first, second or tenth NAS (what on early are doing getting through so many?!).

What is an Intel Avaton, an Intel Atom and why are people getting so worked up?

Another reason that many are taking issue with the details surrounding the New Synology DS1817+ and DS1517+ NAS, is to do with the CPU of choice. If we look back at the older 5 and 8 Bay NAS, a recent issue regarding the Intel Atom CPU that was featured in the previous DS1815+ and DS1515+ NAS units. The Intel C2538 CPU that is used in a number of PLUS series Synology NAS in the 2015 range has been sited in a number of reports regarding failure and degradation. This has unquestionably concerned a number of users and in response Synology decided to extend the warranty period for all products based using this C2538 Intel Atom CPU, adding to the existing term of an additional year. Under the new warranty program fall model DS415 +, DS1515 + DS1815 +, DS2415 +, RS815 (RP) +, and the RS2416 (RP) +.

However this has still left a few users with a slight reservation with regard to the new release as although it looks like a new both the DS1517+ and DS1817+ arrive with the Quad Core Intel Avoton CPU 2.4 GHz and at first, many were pleased to see an x86 Intel CPU (first Plex favourite) over 2GHz and in 4 cores. However those of a slightly more inquisitive and experienced frame of mind are finding that this processor is in the same production range, otherwise known as the Intel Atom Processor launched in the third quarter of 2013. That said, it is still very early and since February 2017, Synology NAS report that all systems include Intel fixes and, in theory, is no longer at risk of degradation of the CPU. It is still way, way too early for us to make a fully informed decision on the device and how it works, but many of you have taken to the comments section on blogs and YouTube to voice your thoughts. Below are just a few over the last few days

Reception to the Synology DS1817+ NAS and DS1517+ NAS

Synology using the Intel Atom Avoton C2538 SoC is quasi insult to injury given that manufacturers such as Cisco and Netgear have recalled their hardware products using this solution. Intel has already outlined the errata AVR54 for the C2000 series Soc which can result in damaged nonfunctional hardware due to this SoC. There is a work around that Synology started to implement in February 2017 so products like the DS1815+ that have a serial number starting with 172 (17 = 2017 and 2 = Feb) have been corrected. However, existing models will have to be refurbished or risk failure. New models using the C2000 series SoC should be safe because the errata should have been compensated for with a work around but there is a stigma attached to the C2000 series SoC now. Also Synology hasn’t issued a recall for older effected models which IMO is a problem that should have been addressed more proactively.

I half suspect that the design for the Synology DS1817+ was already finalized and production possibly already started when the Intel errata AVR54 was disclosed. This would explain why Synology has chosen to continue with the Intel Atom Avoton C2538 SoC. Photos of refurbished Synology DS2415+ system boards that implement an Intel designed solution for the AVR54 errata have a resister soldered to the back of the board. This external pull-up resister is to correct voltage and presumably adequately address the problem but its obviously an after production fix as these are not surface mount resisters and are hand soldered. So if you ever get an early DS1817+ on your test bench it would be nice to see if these new NAS units were reworked and thus have a resister hand soldered to the back of the system board.

Thank you for the articulate and detailed response to the often addressed CPU ‘elephant in the room’. I am looking forward to when I have the DS1817+ Synology NAS on my testbench and really seeing what has been done on this. There will be updates added here – product/Synology-8-Bay-DiskStation-NAS-DS1817+-8GB-SATA-HD-RAID-0-1-5-6-PCIe~61427 Likewise, information on further Synology Releases will appear here – new-products/60-10-Synology

What the fuck have they been doing all this time since DS1815+? Just add a PCI card?

You are not the only one currently less than enthusiastic about the direction Synology have decided on going for with this new release. More information as it becomes available on all the new releases from Synology will be available here – new-products/60-0-Synology

Very disappointed with Synology !!! Very poor CPU never come close like Qnap Real i5 or i7 CPU !!!

Sad but true. Very true indeed. There are some great NAS units being unveiled by Synology on other ranges (a rather unusul 6-Bay from Synology too). Let’s see what hardware they can bring to the table https://nascompares.com/2017/03/20/more-new-synology-nas-for-2017-the-synology-ds3018xs-6-bay-fs1018-10-bay-flash-dx517-5-bay-expansion-and-more/

Are you kidding me? Still using the old 22mm inefficient Avoton CPU developed in 2013 without hardware transcoding? Very disappointed! It’s good to hear this now anyway so I can go get the QNAP now!

Wish I could tell you that I disagree at this stage, but it is too early. I will have a unit here soon to play with and let you know if there’s more on this. Otherwise, I would recommend the QNAP TVS-873 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYXBX9V/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=na0107-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01MYXBX9V&linkId=82fcbb0f0d001d1b8b9ce6d38dce924e Alternately the QNAP TVS-871 whilst it is still available search/IBQ-871-/10-Qnap

To rub salt into the wounds you can’t even use older expansion units in these newer NAS devices. Cash grab anyone?? Looks like the R&D dept from Synology have been playing way to much golf or Battlefield 1 to say the least. I’m hoping these new units are designed for budget NAS users and Synology will be announcing new higher spec desktop units at CBIT.

Isnt the n3710 a better cpu (ds916+) than the c2538 (ds1517+/ds1817+) ? I have a ds916+ 8gb with a dx513, should i sell them asap and get the ds1817+ ?

Hard to say. How long have you owned your kit? Since release? Just thinking in terms of warranty and hassle in carrying over your ready build SHR configured HDD. Also, is the DX513 acting as an extended RAID storage (i.e. 9 total drives in 1 RAID volume) or are you using the DX513 as a network backup (i.e. the DX513 is a clone of all data that’s synced to the DS916+). Ultimately, if you have had your setup since launch and you are spreading the RAID across the DS916+ and the DX513 , then I would go for the DS1817+ as then you are consolidating your operating and you can convert your existing NAS equipment into a separate off-NAS backup. You can re-use your drives and date in the new system (though you may have to sort out the whole 9 drives into an 8-bay issue…). You can find the DS1817+ ready for pre-ordering without payment (though they will obviously need you to pay just before the release) – product/Synology-8-Bay-DiskStation-NAS-DS1817+-8GB-SATA-HD-RAID-0-1-5-6-PCIe~61427 Additionally, I am currently compiling feedback on the release information from Synology for a meeting I will be having with Synology, as well as a Blog post on NASCompares.com. Would you be ok with me publishing your feedback (with reference to yourself)? Thank you

Very disappointed – https://ark.intel.com/compare/77981,77982 As you can see this is basically the SAME FREAKING CPU. It’s just this CPU ‘server’ model from the same series. BOTH the DS1515+ and DS1517+ are using nearly 5-YEAR-OLD CPU’s. I’m sorry, just very frustrating to see Synology blatantly go out of their way to do the absolute minimum. I swear Synology LITERALLY DID NOTHING but add a new PCi slot. You could already upgrade the DS1515+ to 16GB memory. Such a joke, as someone who uses their Network Application Server (NAS) as more than a file server, this is very, very disappointing. I wish someone at CBit would talk with Synology about this.. 🙁

I will of course hold off any judgement yet, but it does seem a rather odd move. Keep an eye on this page for more info on the new releases – new-products/30-0-Synology Alternatively, read more on the other units being uncovered here https://nascompares.com/2017/03/20/more-new-synology-nas-for-2017-the-synology-ds3018xs-6-bay-fs1018-10-bay-flash-dx517-5-bay-expansion-and-more/

why would i buy this new unit when the cpu might die after 18months of use, very disappointed. ??

Further to my comments below….. why use an old quad core like they are? yes it is low power but surely a more powerful CPU that could at least make use of 10GBe properly or host and conduct activity on your NAS more competently would be great. An 8 Bay Xeon D would be perfect. Why not have 2 SKU’s to give us that option. The only way to get more processing on Synology is units with more drive bays…. and that’s not always required and not cost effective ECC RAM should be an option if you want people to consider your system reliably – and yes it wouldb beneficial to have when using BTRFS. Synology hardware is no match for QNAP in terms of options. More drive bays is not the only reason to add a better processor (DS3617+ for example). DSM is THE selling point for Synology as their hardware, whilst reliable, lacks the options that people with smaller needs demand. QNAP software is poor in comparison…. but they are the better option for hardware choices. I may only need 8 bays up front…. but that doesn’t mean I only need a gerbil-powered system behind them. I can build a Xpenology based NAS with 10 Hotswap bays in a similar footprint for 1/3 of the cost that Synology is selling thier product in AUstralia (comparing to DS3617XS 12 bay unit).

******CRUCIAL POINT TO GET CLARITY ON PLEASE: Intel have acknowledged the design fault in the ATOM based series that Avoton is part of that is bricking so many Asrock boards or systems. It requires new design (a revision is on the way), OR specific hardware modification to the mainboard to prevent deterioration and premature failure. Synology are one of few manufacturers being open about this (Intel locked down many under NDA and tried to stifle it….. it mainly came to light over the Asrock Avoton boards that have been failing at 18months on average). What have Synology done to prevent this occurring?

Synology just shit on us on this refresh, I was eagerly waiting to upgrade my 2 of my NASes DS1812+ & DS412+ but oh well.

If you want to share your feedback on the information being released by Synology on the DS1817+ NAS and DS1517+, just add to the comments via youTube at the video below or down ther ein the comments here at NASCompares.com.

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