Synology unveils speedier DS210+ NAS server

Synology, the maker of what are arguably the best NAS servers on the market, announced Monday its new dual-bay NAS server, the DiskStation DS210+. This is the upgrade to the similarly configured DS209+, which won CNET's Editors' Choice award for its excellent performance and vast number of features.

The all new DS210+ NAS server from Synology (click to enlarge).

(Credit: Synology)

According to Synology, the new DS210+ is designed to offer even faster performance, some 108MBps in reading and 58MBps in writing, and 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) hardware encryption. Other than that, running Synology's DiskStation Manager 2.3 firmware, the DS210+ shares a similar set of features as previous models of Synology NAS servers, via different "Stations."

The new NAS server's Web Station, for example, allows hosting up to 30 Web sites at the same time. Its Mail Station turns the NAS server into a mail server. The File Station 3 and encrypted FTP servers help simplify remote access, and the Surveillance Station 4 offers a full-feature surveillance system by supporting up to 12 IP cameras. In short, the NAS server can easily be used in situations where a regular centralized domain computer, such as one that runs Windows Server, would generally be required.

Synology also maintains that DiskStation Manager 2.3 is a lot more secure because it supports the HTTPS protocol, a built-in firewall, and IP auto-block, which ensures file sharing over the Internet is protected. Users also have the option of backing up to the cloud with Amazon S3.

Unfortunately, judging from its look, the DS210+, which is designed for business users, also shares design drawbacks with the DS209+. There's no easy way to install or replace the hard drives. You will need to open its case and use a screwdriver for the job. The server also has only two USB 2.0 ports on the back (as opposed to four ports in other servers), doesn't support USB 3.0, and has no eSATA ports.

The new DiskStation DS210+ is available now with the disk-less version costing around $450. Synology will also release the NAS server with two 1TB hard drives included. That's slated to cost around $650.