Storage for Virtualization
The storage platform that just works: with the performance, scalability, and integration you’re looking for, built-in data protection functionality, and the ability to consolidate virtualized workloads and file services – all at a one-time hardware cost.
A straightforward system to replace your aging SAN
All-flash FS series
Deliver the highest IOPS and lowest latency required for running databases and analytics.Hybrid storage
Leverage SSD cache to provide an optimal balance between performance and storage capacity. *To support 25/40GbE network interface, please check the compatibility list for the supported network interface card.
Seamless integration into virtualization environments
Certified by VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, and OpenStack Cinder, the platform supports both iSCSI and NFS protocols, and integrates with VMware VAAI and Microsoft ODX, ensuring deployment flexibility and facilitating storage operations in a virtualized environment.
VMware / vSphere
Microsoft / Hyper-V
Citrix / XenServer
OpenStack
VMware / vSphere
VAAI for iSCSI
Full CopyBlock Zeroing
Hardware-assisted Locking
Thin Provisioning
Space Reclamation
VAAI for NAS
Full CloneExtended Statistics
Reserve Space
Microsoft / Hyper-V
Microsoft ODX
(Offload Data Transfer)Citrix / XenServer
iSCSI Storage Repository
OpenStack
OpenStack Block Storage
(Cinder)VAAI Benefits
- Faster VM performance is achieved by offloading cycles from ESXi to the storage array.
- More effective utilization of storage arrays delivered by virtual machines with VAAI support.
- Better flexibility in deploying and migrating VMs. Higher storage performance and efficiency with VMFS-5 file system.
- Smoother access and management with load balancing automation in Storage vMotion.
Windows ODX integration
By leveraging ODX, the speed for data manipulation increases dramatically. Since the data transfer is offloaded, the CPU usage of the host server and the network bandwidth utilization shrink to minimum values, which allows the server to handle more important tasks. Compatibility
Enhanced manageability for VMware/Windows
With the plugins and packages Synology has developed for VMware and Windows, administrators are capable of managing their virtual environments efficiently.
Synology Snapshot Manager
Install Synology Snapshot Manager for VMware or Windows to create application-consistent snapshots in DSM.
Support for VMware Site Recovery Manager
VMware Site Recovery Manager allows users to enable disaster recovery directly via VMware vCenter Server, simplifying complicated configurations and optimizing the process.
Synology SMI-S Provider for SCVMM
The optimization with Microsoft's System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) allows an IT administrator to manage multiple Synology NAS servers as storage nodes via SCVMM's centralized user interface.
Built-in data protection
All Synology’s storage systems include comprehensive data protection features to safeguard your virtual environment from disasters – each designed for different RPO/RTO requirements; all of them license-free.
More advanced features
Fast clone
Create near-instantaneous virtual copies of iSCSI LUNs or vDisks on NFS with a simple click.
NFS v4.1 support
Access an NFS server via multiple network connections at the same time and enable higher bandwidth and auto-failover.
Thin provisioning support
Enable IT admins to maximize storage utilization and lower their TCO.
Consolidate your NAS and SAN infrastructure
For remote offices/branch offices that need both a file server and an iSCSI/NFS storage for virtualized workloads, Synology allows them to create NAS and SAN environments on one system, greatly simplifying management and reducing footprints for IT admins.
Find the best storage option for your needs
All-flash storage
Hybrid storage
RS18017xs+
Native 2U with 12 bays scalable up to 180 drives, with 2 x 10GBASE-T & 2 x PCIe 3.0 x8.
Learn more
RS4017xs+
Native 3U with 16 bays scalable up to 40 drives, with 2 x 10GBASE-T & 2 x PCIe 3.0 x8.
Learn moreCustomer stories
See how these organizations achieved more with Synology.
The storage array has been proven to be more than capable of going toe-to-toe with what would be classed as an enterprise-class all flash array for a fraction of the cost.
FlashStation FS2017 is the ideal storage solution for operating load-critical VMs. As a high-availability cluster with a 5-year warranty and free Synology Replacement Service, the price-performance ratio in this storage dimension is perfect.
With the FS2017 and the RX2417sas expansion unit, we were able to optimize the work efficiencies of over 8,000 employees in all our branch offices.
The storage array has been proven to be more than capable of going toe-to-toe with what would be classed as an enterprise-class all flash array for a fraction of the cost.
Learn more
FlashStation FS2017 is the ideal storage solution for operating load-critical VMs. As a high-availability cluster with a 5-year warranty and free Synology Replacement Service, the price-performance ratio in this storage dimension is perfect.
Learn more
With the FS2017 and the RX2417sas expansion unit, we were able to optimize the work efficiencies of over 8,000 employees in all our branch offices.
Learn more
Get started
- VMware vSphere 6 with VAAI - Windows Server 2012 - Windows Server 2012 R2 - Windows Server 2016 - Citrix Ready - OpenStack
- VMware vSphere 6 with VAAI
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2016
- Citrix Ready
- OpenStack
iSCSI LUN Snapshot and Clone
- Run multiple instances of virtual machines on a cluster of multiple Synology NAS servers
- 4GB RAM or more is required to run Virtual DSM
- Virtual Machine Manager is not supported on hosts running Synology High Availability
- The maximum number of virtual machines per host is 48, and is subject to system memory. Learn more
- Recommended virtual machine instances: 24 Learn more
- Recommended Virtual DSM number (Licenses required): 24 (including 1 free license)
The following features require Virtual Machine Manager Pro License:
- Perform live migration of virtual machines by relocating a virtual machine from one host to another without interruption
- Supports High Availability of virtual machines for clusters with more than 3 hosts
- Supports Protection Plan to protect virtual machines with scheduled snapshot and replication
Storage Management
- Supports instant snapshot and restoration
- Each LUN supports up to 256 snapshots
- Scheduled LUN snapshots
- LUN snapshot can be cloned and mounted as a regular LUN
- Restore LUN from snapshot
- Each LUN can perform one snapshot or clone task at the same time
- Up to eight concurrent LUN snapshot/clone tasks
- iSCSI LUN Snapshot and Clone are available on specific models only. Please see this product comparison page to learn more
- Synology Snapshot Manager is available on VMware vSphere 5.1 or later, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2016 for taking application consistent snapshot
- Support up to 256 iSCSI targets*
- Support up to 512 iSCSI LUNs*
- On VMware vSphere, Synology Snapshot Manager supports up to 3 maximum concurrent snapshot tasks
- Storage Replication Adapter for VMware Site Recovery Manager
Snapshot
- Local snapshots of shared folders on Btrfs file system and advanced file LUNs
- Schedule snapshot and customize retention rules
- Remove or lock versions
- Browse and restore snapshots in the #snapshot folder in all file services or File Station
- View snapshot data in the Previous Versions tab in the Properties dialogue on Windows PC.
- Support up to 1,024 snapshots per shared folder*
- Support up to 256 snapshots per iSCSI LUN*
Replication
- Replicate data to another destination by taking and sending snapshots to local or another server. The maximum number of replication tasks is determined by different modules of Synology NAS. For more information, please go to Synology's official website
- Schedule replication and customize retention rules
- Send the initial replication copy via the Internet or storage devices
- Replicate data to multiple destination servers from the same source server
- Statistics of transferred size and sync duration are recorded and displayed as a report
- Overview topology of data replication
- Supports port forwarding by customizing address and port of a replication task
- Encrypt replication transmission
- iSCSI LUN replication can be managed via Synology Snapshot Replication or VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager. (Installing Synology SRA on VMware Site Recovery Manager servers is required.)
- Pause/resume replication transmission to optimize bandwidth
Recovery
- Restore to a previous version via various methods including common protocols, File Station, and Windows File Explorer.
- Perform a failover on shared folders or iSCSI LUNs and make the replicas on the destination server writable when the source server is not healthy
- Perform a re-protect action to sync data on the two servers again after performing a failover
- Perform a test failover to make a clone and run all necessary tests in the event of disaster
- Perform a force failover when the source server is healthy
High Availability Manager
- Form a high-availability cluster with two identical Synology NAS servers in order to maximize service uptime
- Automatic unexpected failover on CIFS/iSCSI/FTP/AFP/NFS service failure; power outage; storage space crash; data network disconnection
- Supports Quorum Server to effectively minimize the occurrence of split-brain
- VLAN support
- After creating a cluster with Synology High Availability, the max number of volumes and block-level iSCSI LUNs altogether will be limited to 64
- View recent system information, iSCSI Target connection history and file difference in each shared folder when a split-brain error occurs
- Comprehensive management interface and easy-to-follow troubleshooting
Note
- High Availability does not support DHCP Server, MailPlus Server, Peta Space and Virtual Machine Manager
Hyper Backup
- Backs up folders, packages, and DSM configurations in deduplicated image format
- Retains up to 65,535 versions
- Supports cross-version deduplication, renamed and copied file deduplication, and data compression
- Version control:
- Regular or Smart Recycle rotation ready
- Version lock prevents a specific version from automatic rotation
- Supported destinations:
- Local shared folders and external storage devices
- Shared folders and external storage devices on a remote server
- Public cloud destinations including Amazon S3, S3-compatible storage, Microsoft Azure (Global and China), HiDrive, IBM SoftLayer, RackSpace, and other OpenStack Swift compatible servers and Synology C2 Backup
- Offers granular recovery
- Allows single file restoration
- Allows data recovery on Windows and Ubuntu using Hyper Backup Explorer
- Backup repositories are portable:
- Export the initial backup version to an external storage device and deliver the external storage device to the destination for data uploading
- Reuse a backup repository by relinking
- Enable client-side encryption to ensure data confidentiality at the backup destination
- Data and file name encryption with AES256-CBC
- Key ring encryption with RSA2048
- Supports transmission encryption
- Back up encrypted shared folders
- Customize your own retention policies
Hyper Backup Vault
- Avails itself to be the backup destination of other Synology NAS servers running Hyper Backup
- Offers an overview of storage consumption of the vault
- Launch Hyper Backup Explorer for browsing
- Offers backup log per task
LUN Backup
- Back up iSCSI LUNs to a local volume or another Synology NAS
- Maximum number of concurrent LUN backup tasks: 1
- Schedule backup tasks
Notes:
- Please note that the figures marked in asterisks are derived from the Synology lab by using high-performance client computers with optimized network settings, and could vary in different environments.