Safe and intelligent storage systems are key to keeping a business running. This is no different for backup systems used to protect IT infrastructure. Synology storage solutions include our Active Backup suite, a powerful family of applications introduced in 2018 to safeguard endpoints, servers, VMs, and even Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace accounts.
At the same time, many businesses run third-party backup software to store backups on their Synology system. In fact, Synology’s range of converged NAS/SAN storage systems has been deployed at tens of thousands of companies worldwide, including nearly half of Fortune 500 companies, to store business-critical data and backups. While the data stored is (hopefully) seldom used, you still need a robust and dependable solution.
Pairing backup solutions with Synology storage
Our customers often deploy Synology systems as reliable storage destinations for backups with products by Nakivo, Acronis, Commvault, and Veeam, among others. Nakivo even offers direct integration with Synology DiskSkation Manager (DSM) through an add-on package available in Synology’s Package Center.
The easiest way to connect storage solutions with any backup software is through file protocols such as SMB or NFS. These enable easy storage and folder management. The second method is to set up designated LUNs, or block storage, essentially providing blank virtual drives to be formatted and managed directly by backup software servers.
Synology systems fully support configuration as backup repository servers managed through DSM, using SMB or NFS protocols, and managed through backup software servers, using LUNs over iSCSI or Fibre Channel1 protocols.
| Synology NAS/SAN Protocols | ||||
| SMB | NFS | iSCSI | FC1 | |
| Type | File Protocol (NAS) | File Protocol (NAS) | Block (SAN) | Block (SAN) |
| Performance | Baseline | Baseline+ | Faster | Fastest |
| Administrator Management | Easiest | Easy | Medium | Medium |
| Snapshots | Yes | |||
| Remote Backups | Yes2 | Yes3 | ||
| Compression | Yes | – | ||
| Deduplication | Yes4 | |||
| Scalability | Up to 200 TB or 1PB5 per folder | Up to 200 TB or 1PB5 per folder | Up to 200 TB per LUN | Up to 200 TB per LUN |
| Storage protocol support per solution | ||||
| Veeam Backup & Replication | V | V | V | V |
| Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 | V | X | V | V |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | V | X | V/X6 | V |
| NAKIVO Backup & Replication | V | V | V | X |
| Commvault Data Protection Suite | V | V | V | V |
- Available on XS, SA, FS, and HD Series systems.
- To other Synology systems, rsync compatible servers, Synology C2 Storage, and S3-compatible destinations. Learn more
- To other Synology systems and rsync compatible servers. Cloud destinations require first performing a backup to a local destination. Learn more
- Supported on specific systems. Additional requirements apply. Not all data and configurations support deduplication. Learn more
- Supported on XS, SA, FS, and HD Series systems. Additional requirements apply. Learn more
- Available for specific backup targets.
Dependable backup storage when it counts
Synology NAS/SAN storage systems are powered by DSM, our operating system that makes configuration and operation highly straightforward. A reduced learning curve ensures that IT administrators spend less time digging through documentation or requesting technical support. When every second counts during a backup recovery event, a system with minimal friction can make the difference.
DSM is far more than just a simplified user interface, it packs in quality of life improvements for day-to-day operations, such as centralized performance, security, and backup monitoring across all of your Synology systems through our Active Insight service. Smart storage management features make sure your storage use is efficient through compression and deduplication, and hardware maintenance tasks are easy for any on-site staff to perform.
Most importantly, Synology systems are designed to keep your data intact and secure from external and internal threats. From data snapshots and remote backups to private cloud or hybrid cloud architectures, Synology systems offer a complete selection of flexible solutions to ensure data and service reliability. Learn more about data protection
How to pick a suitable system for your business
We understand that it might be daunting filtering through dozens of systems, comparing specifications, capabilities, and more. This is why our systems differ mostly in three crucial parameters: maximum storage capacity, performance, and price.
| Synology Storage System Series | |||||
| DS Series | RS Series | SA Series | HD Series | FS Series | |
| Compact and versatile | General purpose storage | High scalability | High density | All flash storage | |
| Form Factor | Tower | Rackmount | |||
| Drive Bays1 | Up to 36 | Up to 40 | Up to 96 | Up to 300 | Up to 72 all-flash |
| Raw Capacity | Up to 576 TB | Up to 640 TB | Up to 1.5 PB | Up to 4.8 PB | Up to 500 TB |
| Performance (Read/Write)2 |
4,719/267 MB/s | 6,239/3,282 MB/s | 6,291/3,440 MB/s | 6,688/6,662 MB/s | 7,081/6,477 MB/s |
| Protocol support | All NAS/SAN | ||||
| Includes Active Backup suite | Yes | ||||
| Snapshots | Yes | ||||
| Remote Backups | Yes | ||||
| High Availability | Supports Synology High Availability | ||||
- Including expansion units
- Sequential SMB read/write throughput at 64 KB block sizes. Performance figures are obtained through internal testing by Synology. See performance charts for more information.
