Introducing the New RackStation Series and HAT5300 Hard Drives by Synology

Synology, a leading provider of backup, virtualization storage, and remote work solutions, has announced the release of its next generation RackStation units. These units are designed to support high-performance general-purpose storage for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). In addition, Synology has introduced its HAT5300 series of enterprise hard drives, specifically engineered for Synology deployments.

The new RackStation units include the 2U 12-bay RS3621RPxs and RS3621xs+, as well as the 3U 16-bay RS4021xs+. These devices provide a reliable platform for data-intensive applications such as large-scale backup, iSCSI SAN storage, on-premises collaboration solutions, and video surveillance deployments. With built-in redundant power and Intel Xeon processors, these units are ideal for handling mission-critical data in various applications.

Compared to previous generation units, the new RackStation units offer significant performance improvements. The RS3621RPxs delivers 68% higher random read IOPS, the RS3621xs+ delivers 50% higher random read IOPS, and the RS4021xs+ delivers 21% higher random read IOPS. Additionally, the RS3621xs+ and RS4021xs+ come with two built-in 10GbE ports for faster connectivity.

The new units also feature two PCIe Gen 3.0 8x slots for upgrades with compatible 10GbE NICs and/or NVMe SSD cache. The RS3621RPxs and RS3621xs+ can scale up to 36 drive bays, while the RS4021xs+ can scale up to 40 drive bays using expansion units and validated drives.

Synology has also introduced its HAT5300 series HDD for Synology systems. These enterprise SATA hard drives come in 16TB, 12TB, and 8TB models, and are optimized for high-performance and maximum reliability. Extensive validation testing ensures seamless interaction with Synology systems and DiskStation Manager. The HAT5300 drives deliver up to 274 MB/s sustained data transfer and are up to 23% faster in sustained sequential read performance compared to similar-class drives. With automatic firmware updates through DSM, these drives always benefit from the latest enhancements.

Synology storage solutions offer a range of features for businesses. Active Backup for Business allows you to protect Windows and Linux workstations and servers, file servers, and virtual machines. Active Backup for Microsoft 365 and Active Backup for G Suite enable you to back up your Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace accounts, respectively. Surveillance Station provides video surveillance management, storage, and analysis capabilities. Synology NAS also offers powerful iSCSI storage for virtualization solutions such as VMware vSphere™, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer™, and OpenStack Cinder. Additionally, Synology Drive, Synology Office, and Synology Chat enhance remote work efficiency and collaboration.

The RackStation RS3621RPxs, RS3621xs+, RS4021xs+, and the HAT5300 series drives are now available from Synology resellers worldwide. These products provide SMBs with reliable and high-performance storage solutions for their data-intensive applications.

Background Information

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About Google: Google, founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, is a multinational technology company known for its internet-related services and products. Initially for its search engine, Google has since expanded into various domains including online advertising, cloud computing, software development, and hardware devices. With its innovative approach, Google has introduced influential products such as Google Search, Android OS, Google Maps, and Google Drive. The company's commitment to research and development has led to advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

  

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About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

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About Synology: Synology is a Taiwanese pioneering technology company for its innovative network-attached storage (NAS), Storage, IP surveillance solutions, and robust network equipment. With a steadfast commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and user-friendly solutions, Synology empowers individuals and businesses alike to effortlessly manage, safeguard, and share their data in a connected world. Synology's comprehensive range of products caters to various needs, from personal storage to enterprise-level data management, setting new standards for data accessibility, security, and collaboration.

  

Technology Explained

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HDD: A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a classic data storage device that utilizes spinning disks, or platters, coated with a magnetic material to store and retrieve data. An actuator arm with read/write heads accesses data by moving over the spinning platters. HDDs offer large storage capacities at a comparatively lower cost per gigabyte, making them suitable for applications where massive data storage is required, such as servers and desktop computers. However, HDDs are slower in terms of read and write speeds compared to SSDs due to the mechanical nature of their operation. They are more susceptible to physical shocks and are less energy-efficient due to the need to constantly spin the platters.

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Hyper-V: Hyper-V is a technology created by Microsoft to provide hardware virtualization for applications running on Windows platforms. It enables users to create and manage multiple virtual machines and enable them to share physical resources, such as memory and processing power. It also provides a well-organized virtual environment for Windows applications with the help of Hyper-V Manager. It has been a major tool in the virtualization of applications and data center infrastructure. It has allowed for better utilization of resources, secure isolation of applications, and faster setup for development and test environments. IT professionals have found that Hyper-V has provided significant cost savings and increased application performance when used to virtualize their IT environment. Its simplified setup and management, as well as its security features, have made it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. Hyper-V has become one of the core elements of cloud computing technology as well as allowing for efficient consolidation of physical assets.

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iSCSI: iSCSI, or Internet Small Computer System Interface, is a protocol that facilitates the transport of block-level storage data over a TCP/IP network. It enables storage devices, often referred to as targets, to be accessed remotely by servers or clients, known as initiators. iSCSI offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional Fibre Channel, allowing organizations to leverage existing Ethernet infrastructure for storage communication. By encapsulating SCSI commands within IP packets, iSCSI enables efficient and reliable storage communication across local or wide-area networks. This technology finds applications in data centers, storage virtualization, and remote backups, offering a flexible and scalable solution for managing storage resources.

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NAS: Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a specialized storage device or server that provides centralized data storage and access over a network, usually using Ethernet connections. NAS systems are designed to offer a convenient and efficient way to store and share files among multiple users or devices within a home or office environment. Unlike traditional storage solutions, NAS devices operate independently and have their own operating systems and management interfaces. They are characterized by easy setup and configuration, making them accessible even to users with limited technical expertise. NAS devices can offer various features, including data redundancy through RAID configurations, remote access over the internet, automatic backup, media streaming, and even application hosting in some advanced models. As a versatile and user-friendly storage solution, NAS has become a popular choice for both personal and small business use.

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NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a newly developed technology that has been gaining traction in the computer industry. This technology is a standard interface which allows for high-speed storage and retrieval of data from solid state drives (SSDs). NVMe is designed to increase the speed of data transfers in storage systems by enabling a direct connection to PCI Express (PCIe) bus, resulting in significantly faster access times compared to traditional interface protocols such SSDs. NVMe is particularly useful for applications that require lightning-fast access to large amounts of high-value data. NVMe-based SSDs are being widely adopted in the computer industry and are being employed to power data centers, high-end workstations, and gaming machines to support lightning-fast data processing and retrieval, which unlocks possibilities for machine learning, real-time analytics, edge computing, and other cutting-edge applications. NVMe is proving to be an invaluable tool in the field of computing, offering immense

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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SAN: A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a high-speed and specialized network architecture designed to facilitate the connection of storage devices, such as disk arrays and tape libraries, to servers. Unlike traditional network-attached storage (NAS), which is file-based, SAN operates at the block level, enabling direct access to storage resources. SANs are known for their performance, scalability, and flexibility, making them ideal for data-intensive applications, large enterprises, and environments requiring high availability. SANs typically employ Fibre Channel or iSCSI protocols to establish dedicated and fast communication paths between servers and storage devices. With features like centralized management, efficient data replication, and snapshot capabilities, SANs offer advanced data storage, protection, and management options. Overall, SAN technology has revolutionized data storage and management, enabling organizations to efficiently handle complex storage requirements and ensure reliable data access.

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SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation

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VMware: VMware is an industry leader in virtualization technology, allowing for the effective virtualization of computer hardware, networks, and operating systems. Any organization needing to quickly and efficiently deploy complex network environments can utilize VMware, allowing for greater flexibility than physical solutions. VMware products are especially popular in the enterprise segment, as they offer cost savings through increased worker productivity and improved resource utilization. Virtualized services hosted on VMware offer better scaleability and reliability, as well as improved fault-tolerance and cost savings associated with server consolidation. VMware also provides support for the latest hardware and software components, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of applications and services. Furthermore, VMware products provide a secure computing environment, as virtual machines are isolated from each other, preventing the spread of viruses and other threats from one virtual machine to another.