Synology's Virtualization Support

Synology recognizes the trend in virtualization as we strive to provide the most up to date support for cutting-edge technologies. Synology's technology portfolio makes data storage and data movement easier in a virtualization environment, for all sizes of business.

Synology is the leading NAS server provider to offer support on the following:

Model VMware vSphere Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer
vSphere 5.X & VAAI vSphere 4.X 2012 2008
XS+ series
RS10613xs+ V   V V V
RS3413xs+ V V V V
XS series
DS3612xs V   V V V
RS3412(RP)xs V V V V
Plus series
DS2413+ V V V V
RS2212(RP)+ V V V V V
RS812(RP)+ V V V V V
DS1812+ V V V V V
DS1513+ V   V   V
DS713+ V V V V V
DS412+ V V V V V
Value series
RS812 V   V V
RS212 V   V V

VMware VAAI Support

Synology has acquired itself with readiness for VMware vSphere® 5 and full VAAI support. Full VAAI support includes Hardware Assisted Locking (ATS), Block Zero, Full Copy, and Thin Provisioning. When deploying Synology DiskStation and RackStation, businesses are entitled for:

  • Faster operation performance of VMs achieved by offloading cycles from ESXi to storage array
  • More effective utilization of storage arrays delivered by virtual machines with VAAI support
  • Better flexibility for deploying and migrating VMs
  • Higher storage performance and storage efficiency with VMFS-5 file system
  • Smoother access and management efficiency with load balancing automation in Storage vMotion

To show how VAAI support can improve performance in practice, here are some key figures and testing summary* :

  • Hardware Assisted Locking : creating multiple VMs is 9 times faster with ATS enabled
  • Block Zeroing : creating a VM with Write Same support is nearly 140 times faster than on a non VAAI LUN
  • Full Copy : copying a VM on a VAAI LUN is 34 times faster than on a non VAAI LUN

To learn more about our VAAI support, please visit the official Synology Blog (English).

Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V

Synology DiskStation and RackStation pass Windows Server 2012 certification. Businesses are able to leverage the functionalities of Microsoft-certified storage solutions including: live storage migration, capability, Hyper-V Replica, and storage capacity.

Businesses that deploy servers with Windows Server 2012 certification are entitled for:

  • Boost performance and flexibility when migrating running VM without downtime
  • Accelerate VM capability to simplify management and cost; Allocate up to 64 virtual processors and up to 1TB memory
  • Leverage new VHDX format and its ability support up to 64TB storage per virtual hard disk to flexibly accommodate to enterprise request
  • Ensure business continuity and minimize disaster recovery time with real-time VM remote replication
* Testing environment and specifications for VAAI:
ESXi server specifications: Intel® Core™ i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz Quad Core; 8G RAM; Intel 82574L Gigabit x2 NIC; OS: ESXi 5.0.0 504890; Motherboard: MSI MS-7740
DiskStation specifications: DS3611xs; 2TB WD HDD x4; RAID 5