11-08-2024, 11:31 AM
Your planned setup sounds well thought out, and the Synology DS923+ seems like a great choice based on your needs. Here's a quick validation based on the points you've mentioned:
1. Longevity and Support
The Synology DS923+ is a recent release and is expected to have a strong lifespan with software support for the foreseeable future (likely 5-6+ years, considering Synology's track record).
It is a popular model, so Synology will continue to push firmware updates and provide security patches, which should give you confidence in long-term usability.
2. Turnkey Solution with Minimal Configuration
Synology NAS units are well-known for their user-friendly interface and easy setup. The DSM (DiskStation Manager) software is intuitive and designed for users who want a "set it and forget it" experience.
Given that you're looking for a solution that "just works" without much tinkering, Synology's turnkey approach should be ideal for you. You'll get all the basic functions out of the box, and you can extend functionality easily through Synology’s package center when needed.
3. Plex Media Server
The Synology DS923+ is fully capable of running Plex Media Server for streaming music and video. As you mentioned, you don’t require hardware transcoding (and you're testing with transcoding disabled), so this NAS should handle 1080p content without issues.
Synology has a well-optimized Plex package that integrates seamlessly with DSM, so you’ll have the Plex server running smoothly.
4. MS OneDrive Sync
The Synology DS923+ supports OneDrive sync via Synology's Cloud Sync app. This allows you to sync your OneDrive files locally for backup and seamless access.
As a bonus, you can set up scheduled syncing and keep your data updated automatically between your NAS and OneDrive, which will help with your backup needs.
5. Software Ecosystem
Synology provides an extensive ecosystem of apps and services (like Hyper Backup, Drive, Surveillance Station, etc.), so if your needs grow in the future, you'll have the flexibility to expand your NAS's functionality.
Even though you don't foresee using the NAS for other roles right now, it's good to know that Synology has a rich software ecosystem that can handle various tasks as your requirements change.
6. Hardware Transcoding
Since you’ve confirmed that your media is 1080p or lower and you have no intention to stream outside your home network, you’re correct that hardware transcoding won’t be a major issue for you. The DS923+ lacks hardware transcoding support, but since your use case doesn’t require it, this won’t affect your experience.
7. Redundancy and Backup Setup
You mentioned using a two-drive array with redundancy (likely RAID 1), which the DS923+ supports with its four-bay configuration. This allows you to use the other two bays for additional storage or to set up your backup drive as you planned.
Verdict:
The Synology DS923+ is an excellent choice for your needs. It's user-friendly, has a good support lifespan, supports Plex and OneDrive sync, and is flexible enough for future use cases. Since you don't need transcoding and the NAS will primarily function as a file sync and media server, the DS923+ should serve you well for years to come without being overkill.
If you’re looking for a turnkey solution that’s reliable and requires little maintenance, this NAS fits perfectly.
1. Longevity and Support
The Synology DS923+ is a recent release and is expected to have a strong lifespan with software support for the foreseeable future (likely 5-6+ years, considering Synology's track record).
It is a popular model, so Synology will continue to push firmware updates and provide security patches, which should give you confidence in long-term usability.
2. Turnkey Solution with Minimal Configuration
Synology NAS units are well-known for their user-friendly interface and easy setup. The DSM (DiskStation Manager) software is intuitive and designed for users who want a "set it and forget it" experience.
Given that you're looking for a solution that "just works" without much tinkering, Synology's turnkey approach should be ideal for you. You'll get all the basic functions out of the box, and you can extend functionality easily through Synology’s package center when needed.
3. Plex Media Server
The Synology DS923+ is fully capable of running Plex Media Server for streaming music and video. As you mentioned, you don’t require hardware transcoding (and you're testing with transcoding disabled), so this NAS should handle 1080p content without issues.
Synology has a well-optimized Plex package that integrates seamlessly with DSM, so you’ll have the Plex server running smoothly.
4. MS OneDrive Sync
The Synology DS923+ supports OneDrive sync via Synology's Cloud Sync app. This allows you to sync your OneDrive files locally for backup and seamless access.
As a bonus, you can set up scheduled syncing and keep your data updated automatically between your NAS and OneDrive, which will help with your backup needs.
5. Software Ecosystem
Synology provides an extensive ecosystem of apps and services (like Hyper Backup, Drive, Surveillance Station, etc.), so if your needs grow in the future, you'll have the flexibility to expand your NAS's functionality.
Even though you don't foresee using the NAS for other roles right now, it's good to know that Synology has a rich software ecosystem that can handle various tasks as your requirements change.
6. Hardware Transcoding
Since you’ve confirmed that your media is 1080p or lower and you have no intention to stream outside your home network, you’re correct that hardware transcoding won’t be a major issue for you. The DS923+ lacks hardware transcoding support, but since your use case doesn’t require it, this won’t affect your experience.
7. Redundancy and Backup Setup
You mentioned using a two-drive array with redundancy (likely RAID 1), which the DS923+ supports with its four-bay configuration. This allows you to use the other two bays for additional storage or to set up your backup drive as you planned.
Verdict:
The Synology DS923+ is an excellent choice for your needs. It's user-friendly, has a good support lifespan, supports Plex and OneDrive sync, and is flexible enough for future use cases. Since you don't need transcoding and the NAS will primarily function as a file sync and media server, the DS923+ should serve you well for years to come without being overkill.
If you’re looking for a turnkey solution that’s reliable and requires little maintenance, this NAS fits perfectly.