New Syno or DX517

[latsAP]

Hi all, 

I'm a photographer and have been using a DS1513+ and a DS1819+ for the last 10 years for the majority of my storage, daily backups etc.

The DS1513 is still taping along and working fine.  I syncs with my dropbox and stores all the nightly backups.

The DS1819 has the photography Archive and some working files.  (it has SSD read write caches and the 10GBE nic)
I'm running out of space on it (8x16gb hdds)

I need to increase my archive storage.
I don't need remote access, but I do need speed for large photography files (20gbs) and raw video footage.

I see my options as:

1. purchasing a DX517+  with 5x 20tb drives and extending the ds1819+ with an extra volume for older less accessed storage.
   
2. purchasing a DS1821+ with 5x 20tb drives and 10gbe NIC that would replace the 1819+
   1819 would be used for older storage and 1821+ for more current (move SSD cache over to 1821+)
   1513+ would remain as a backup unit.
   
3. Leave Synology for another vendor.
   

I've been pleased with Synology for the last 10 years as my needs are quite simple, but their lack of development of units in my space has me a little worried for future support.

I'd be interested in any advice or commentary on future strategy.

Thanks!

[ed]

1. Expanding the DS1819+ with the DX517 and 20TB Drives
This could be a viable solution if you're looking to simply add more storage while keeping your existing setup. The DX517 expansion unit is designed to work with the DS1819+, which makes it a convenient option. However, keep in mind that this will be an extension of your existing setup, and you might see some limitations in terms of long-term scalability and future-proofing, especially if you’re concerned about future support from Synology.

2. Upgrading to the DS1821+ with 20TB Drives and 10GbE NIC
This is a more substantial upgrade, as the DS1821+ offers more powerful hardware, better scalability, and long-term support. Moving your SSD cache and replacing the DS1819+ with the DS1821+ will give you a more future-proof solution. The 10GbE NIC is also a good choice if you're working with large files like photography and raw video footage. Plus, you'd still be able to use the DS1819+ for older, less accessed storage.

3. Switching to a Different Vendor
While Synology has been reliable for you, if you’re looking for something more advanced or a little more open-ended, considering alternatives might be worth it. Companies like QNAP or ASUSTOR offer competitive solutions that could meet your needs. That said, the tradeoff is that you'd need to get familiar with a new ecosystem, and the long-term support might not match Synology's track record. You might also lose the seamless integration with DSM and Synology’s apps.

Considerations:
Synology’s Development: While Synology is often conservative in releasing new models for certain use cases, their DSM operating system is still highly regarded and offers an excellent user experience. However, if you’re worried about future support, QNAP and ASUSTOR could offer some competition with innovative features like better hardware specs and flexibility in terms of software (e.g., Docker, more customization).

Cost: The DS1821+ upgrade with 20TB drives will be a significant investment, but it could provide peace of mind knowing that you have a modern, powerful NAS with plenty of room for growth. In contrast, the DX517 expansion is a lower-cost option, but it might be more limiting in the long term.

Storage Organization: It’s important to think about how you want to organize your data. The DS1821+ could let you consolidate your storage, while the DX517 approach might leave your data more fragmented.

Recommendation:
If future-proofing and long-term scalability are important to you, the DS1821+ is likely the best route. It provides the performance and expandability you'll need as your photography and video archives grow. Plus, moving your SSD cache to the 1821+ and using the 1819+ for less active storage keeps everything running efficiently.

However, if you're looking for a more budget-conscious option that gets the job done for the time being, expanding your DS1819+ with the DX517 would be a reasonable choice.

Ultimately, if your current workflow is working well for you, the upgrade to the DS1821+ gives you peace of mind, but if you’re feeling that Synology's pace of innovation is slowing down, exploring other vendors might open up new possibilities for your future needs.