Building a library: the best NAS for the home

D-Link DNS-320

D-Link is more often associated with routers and network equipment than with storage systems. The main difference between this and many other NAS manufacturers is low cost and ease of use. The most affordable device in our selection is made in a fairly compact case with a glossy design. On the front panel, behind a small door, there is a USB port and a button for performing a “backup”, which will help you create a copy of the connected drive to DNS-320 hard drives with one click. The connector is also useful for connecting a network printer. In addition, there is a gigabit Ethernet port for quick access to data via a home network or the Internet.

Inside the device, there are two slots for installing 3.5-inch drives up to 4 TB each. There are four modes of operation (Standard, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1) that allow the user to select the appropriate configuration for increased NAS speed or increased storage reliability. The DNS-320 also works as a simple NAS. All settings are made through a convenient and understandable web interface familiar to users of D-Link products. In addition to basic functions, there are also multimedia ones that will be relevant for home users. The NAS supports DLNA streaming technology for transferring media content to multimedia set-top boxes, TVs and computers, and can also work as a storage device for the iTunes library.

Despite its availability, the model has a web server and FTP support, thanks to which you can upload and download files, even if the owner is far from home. In addition, the device easily turns into a torrent client for downloading and distributing multiple files at the same time. The only downside of the DNS-320 is the rather noisy cooling system. You can turn a blind eye to this manufacturer's defect (if the NAS is not close to people), because this NAS provides excellent functionality for minimal money.

WD My Cloud 2 TB

It's hard to find a simpler, cheaper NAS with a 2TB drive preinstalled. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The model from WD is the smallest and lightest NAS in our selection, of course, if you take into account the weight of the installed drive. In terms of dimensions, the device is only slightly larger than the size of an external 3.5-inch hard drive. At the same time, an attractive case, reminiscent of a book volume, fits a fairly performant platform, as well as USB 3.0 connectors for connecting external drives and devices, and a gigabit Ethernet port for high-speed access over a network or the Internet.

The absence of coolers ensures silence while the storage is running. The perforations on the circumferential edges of the model are enough to keep the disk temperature within the normal range, even under heavy load. So the device will become an excellent home media centre, because it will easily fit into any interior and will not disturb you with noise.

My Cloud supports the same technologies as its more advanced counterparts. At its core, as you might guess from the name, device is a personal cloud storage for accessing files from literally anywhere in the world where the Internet is available. To do this, you need to install the application on a PC running Windows or Mac OS, as well as a smartphone or tablet on Android or iOS. A web interface is used to manage and configure the NAS. There is also integration with DropBox, OneDrive and Google Drive for file sharing, and to protect against unauthorized access, unique 12-digit keys (passwords) generated by the device for each created user account are used.

So, DLNA protocols are supported and UPnP for network broadcasting of media files, FTP and web server, the ability to host an iTunes library, automatic backup of computer data, and convenient sorting of files in storage. In addition, there is the ability to backup the "contents" of the NAS itself to an external drive or other network device. In summary, WD My Cloud is not capable of becoming a reliable RAID array and very capacious storage. However, otherwise it is almost as good as its multi-disk counterparts in terms of performance and capabilities.

QNAP HS-210 RAM 512 МБ

All the devices presented in this selection look quite bulky (except for WD My Cloud), they can hardly be called compact. The HS-210 model, unlike the vast majority of QNAP NAS, has a stylish and compact design. Therefore, it is more like a modern multimedia player than a NAS. In terms of its dimensions, the device is only slightly larger than a pair of 3.5-inch hard drives placed next to each other. By the way, the model supports the installation of two such drives with a total capacity of up to 12 TB (they are installed in special slots behind a removable front panel).

To achieve compactness and quiet operation, the manufacturer abandoned the active cooling system. But this is not a cause for excitement, a passive cooling system is implemented here using an aluminium case and radiators with efficient heat dissipation. So even under heavy load, the disks will not get very hot. In addition, the case is firmly closed to prevent dust from entering, so even after several years of continuous use, the device does not have to be cleaned.

In addition to a thin, silent body, the model boasts excellent functionality. It has two USB 2.0 ports, a pair of high-speed USB 3.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, and even an SD card slot for making a copy of the material captured on the camera for connecting a variety of peripheral devices and drives.

Branded web the interface of this NAS can hardly be called a shell. It is more like a drive operating system with broad functionality. The QTS interface is simple and convenient, and the manufacturer has provided automatic installation for beginners. In addition, it is possible to install additional programs that can also expand the functionality of the device.

QNAP network storage easily turns into a cloud storage, FTP and web server, a client for downloading files 24/7, and even video surveillance system with connected cameras. The main thing is that it will provide access to content for devices compatible with DLNA and AirPlay technologies, such as TVs and media players. And through the Internet, you can use your collection of files from almost any device with a browser. In addition, the software allows you to create a convenient database of films or photos. We add that the device supports RAID and can automatically create backup copies of devices connected to the network. In general, you will not get bored with it.

QNAP HS-210 is an perfect model to the eyeballs stuffed with many modern technologies, functions and programs for content storage and data backup. If you're looking for storage to set up near your TV and store your movie collection, this is the one for you. Actually, the manufacturer positions it for owners of home theaters. Considering the many advantages of the model, the only drawback is not the highest level of performance (because a not very powerful processor is involved). Although, for home use, this is more than enough — you will not notice performance problems.

WD My Cloud EX2 without HDD

My Cloud EX2 looks and functions similar to its "little brother". But this device is more bulky and massive, the design emphasizes that this is an advanced model for demanding users. The main difference from My Cloud 2TB is support for two drives at once with a total capacity of up to 12 TB with the possibility of self-installation or purchase of a ready-made solution with WD drives of the required capacity.

The model is also intended for creative professionals. Photographers and video editors need a NAS to manage large volumes of information, ready to perform thousands of data operations, that is, reliable and performant devices. The model supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 configuration modes to ensure maximum volume or protection of stored information. At the same time, there are backup functions for both connected drives and other network devices.

The NAS is equipped with two USB 3.0 connectors that can be used to connect peripherals and hard drives, as well as a gigabit Ethernet port. The proprietary WD My Cloud web interface is responsible for configuration and management, which looks almost the same as that of the My Cloud 2TB, so system administrator skills are not required for configuration. However, the system here is much more functional. Its main task is to provide access to network storage via the Internet. In addition, there is a traditional file server, FTP, DLNA, iTunes and Twonky 7.2 for organizing a media library and streaming files. But that's not all. The system supports a huge number of applications and extensions from third-party developers, so the functionality of the NAS is literally limitless. The device turned out to be reliable and performant enough, so it can easily cope with any tasks.

As a result, quiet operation with minimal heat and convenient applications for mobile devices that allow you to manage your data can be added to the strengths of My Cloud EX2 not including the computer. The only significant drawback of the model is its considerable cost. But its high price, compared to D-Link DNS-320 and WD My Cloud 2TB, is justified due to its wide functionality and better uptime.

Synology DiskStation DS415play RAM 1 ГБ

The DS415play model rightfully occupies the highest position in our rating, because Synology specializes in the production of NAS and has earned credibility with users. This NAS is based on the DS415+ model and is optimized for cinephiles and video editors who want to assemble in one place a huge multimedia library. And its main feature is an optimized platform for working with video files and a hardware decoder that converts Full HD movies in real time for streaming to other home devices — laptops, tablets, smartphones, TVs and set-top boxes. Thus, support for Samsung TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast is announced.

DS415play is a four-disk NAS, the largest and most performant in our selection. 3.5" or 2.5" drives mount vertically with anti-vibration damper sleds, no screwdriver required — simple and convenient. It supports hybrid RAID, Synology's own development, as well as quite standard RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 – this is an excellent choice for building file arrays, as for a home device. The dual-core Intel Atom processor is responsible for the high level of performance, which processes all the information on the fly. In addition, the device shows high read / write performance (they reach the level of 100 MB / s), inherent in more expensive office models. But do not forget that for best performance you need to use a fast HDD or SSD and select RAID 0 or 5 (with RAID 10, the speed is lower).

There are three USB 2.0 to connect peripheral devices, one of which is installed on front panel, and two USB 3.0 to connect to other NAS and external drives to create their backups. By the way, the model supports Apple TimeMachine and Windows Backup, so that the device can store up-to-date copies of the computer system, which will allow you to restore the system in case of problems. In addition, there is a gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to a home router. And since there is no HDMI output, it will only connect via the network.

The proprietary DSM 5.0 operating system has a thoughtful and easy-to-understand user interface, as well as huge capabilities. With it, you can quickly set up a NAS, use FTP and web servers, DLNA, or create your own cloud storage to access your files over the Internet.

This is not just another NAS, but a home multimedia centre for the whole family , just a godsend for a movie buff. Of course, Synology DS415play is much more expensive than the other models presented in this collection, but it also provides much more customization, functionality and performance. For the sake of this, you can even put up with a rather noisy cooling system. All for the sake of high speed network storage.