Home Enterprise Synology Solutions Focus on Data Protection, Disaster Recovery, and Edge at VMware Explore 2023

Synology Solutions Focus on Data Protection, Disaster Recovery, and Edge at VMware Explore 2023

by Lyle Smith

Synology is showcasing new storage solutions focusing on data protection, disaster recovery, and edge solutions at VMware Explore 2023 in Las Vegas this week. This includes the new active-active SAN UC3400, active-passive system SA3400D, and DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.2.

Synology is showcasing new storage solutions focusing on data protection, disaster recovery, and edge solutions at VMware Explore 2023 in Las Vegas this week. This includes the new active-active SAN UC3400, active-passive system SA3400D, and DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.2.

Active Backup Suite

Synology’s new Active Backup Suite, a collection of enterprise backup and recovery software available on the company’s range of business-level servers, will be on display at VMware Explore 2023.

Synology Active Backup

It features centralized management and flexible recovery options. The suite, included with Synology hardware, eliminates the need for per-device licenses to reduce the total cost of acquisition for customers.

Synology UC3400: High-Availability SAN Storage

One of the primary systems showcased by Synology is the previously announced UC3400, its newest high-availability SAN storage solution. It is defined by its active-active architecture, which ensures uninterrupted block storage services, making it an excellent choice for organizations requiring mission-critical storage.

It offers seamless integration with leading virtualization platforms such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and more. Key features include Fibre Channel and iSCSI support, Snapshot Replication, self-encrypting drive (SED) capabilities, and the option to expand up to 576TB via Synology RXD1219sas Expansion Units.

Performance and Protection

The UC3400 is engineered for peak performance, delivering over 690,000/180,000 IOPS in 4K random reads/writes. Combined with hot-swappable power supplies, its active-active dual controller design ensures system reliability and minimal downtime. Data protection is prioritized with features like Snapshot Replication and the inclusion of SEDs for enhanced security.

Synology UC3400 Specifications

Controller modules 2
CPU Intel Xeon D-1541
Memory 8 GB DDR4 ECC UDIMM (expandable up to 64 GB) (per controller)
 

 

Compatible drive types

•  12 x 3.5″ Synology SAS HDD (drives not included)

•  Synology only guarantees full functionality, reliability, and performance for Synology drives listed on the compatibility list. The use of non-validated components may limit certain functionality and result in data loss and system instability5

Hot-swappable drives Yes
External ports 1 x Expansion port (Mini-SAS HD) (per controller)
Form factor Rackmount 2U
 

Size (HxWxD)

•  88 x 430.5 x 692 mm

•  88 x 482 x 724 mm (with server ears)

Weight 19.7 kg
 

LAN ports

•  1 x 10GbE RJ-45 (per controller)

•  2 x 1GbE RJ-45 (per controller)

 

PCIe expansion

•  1 x 8 width slot, Gen 3.0 x8 lanes (per controller)

•  10GbE/25GbE network interface card support5 (per controller)

•  16 Gigabit FC host bus adapter card support5 (per controller)

Scheduled power on/off No
System fans 2 x (60 x 60 x 51 mm)
AC input power voltage 100 V to 240 V AC
Power frequency 50/60 Hz, single phase
 

Operating environment

•  Temperature: 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F)

•  Relative humidity: 8% to 80% RH

 

Storage environment

•  Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)

•  Relative humidity: 5% to 95% RH

Maximum operating altitude 5,000 m (16,400 ft)

Synology SA3400D: Cost-effective High-Availability Solution

The Synology SA3400D is a dual-controller server for businesses seeking a reliable data storage solution. Suitable for file and block storage, the SA3400D offers flexible storage expansion options via its twelve bays, compatible with 3.5″/2.5″ SAS drives for an impressive raw storage capacity of up to 192TB. This can be increased to a whopping 576TB via 36 bays by incorporating two additional Synology RXD1219sas Expansion Units.

Synology SA3400D

Built for enterprises of all sizes, the server is powered by the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, ensuring advanced data management and backup capabilities for physical endpoints, VMs, and SaaS applications.

Performance and Reliability Features

Boasting enterprise-level performance, the SA3400D is built to handle data-intensive applications, delivering over 3,500MB/s read and 2,900MB/s write in sequential throughput. Its unique design ensures high service availability with two controller nodes in an active-passive configuration, facilitating minute-level failover to drastically reduce downtime.

Synology SA3400D back

The high-speed Non-Transparent Bridge (NTB) connects the dual controller modules, ensuring efficient data synchronization between the active and passive nodes. Additional reliability features include hot-swappable dual power supplies, built-in dual 1GbE RJ-45 ports, and a 10GbE RJ-45 port per controller. A PCIe 3.0 expansion slot per controller accommodates 10/25GbE and Fibre Channel cards for further scalability, which is excellent for bandwidth-intensive applications.

Expansion and Hybrid Storage

The new Synology server supports hybrid storage arrays, allowing users to harness the speed of SAS SSD volumes as a read/write cache for HDD volumes, optimizing I/O speeds and latency. This combination ensures a balance between performance and efficiency, highlighting the versatility of the SA3400D.

Synology SA3400D Specifications

Controller modules 2
CPU Intel Xeon D-1541
Hardware encryption engine Yes
Memory 8 GB DDR4 ECC UDIMM (expandable up to 64 GB)
 

 

Compatible drive types

•  12 x 3.5″ Synology SAS HDD or 2.5″ SAS SSD (drives not included)

•  Synology only guarantees full functionality, reliability, and performance for Synology drives listed on the compatibility list. The use of non-validated components may limit certain functionality and result in data loss and system instability9

Hot-swappable drives Yes
External ports •  1 x Expansion port (Mini-SAS HD) (per controller)
Form factor Rackmount 2U
 

Size (HxWxD)

•  88 x 430.5 x 692 mm

•  88 x 482 x 724 mm (with server handles)

Weight 19.7 kg
 

LAN ports

•  2 x 1GbE RJ-45 (per controller)

•  1 x 10GbE RJ-45 (per controller)

Wake on LAN/WAN Yes
 

PCIe expansion

•  1 x PCle 3.0 x8 slot, x8 lanes (per controller)

•  Supports network interface cards4

System fans 2 x (60 x 60 x 51 mm)
AC input power voltage 100 V to 240 V AC
Power frequency 50/60 Hz, single phase
 

Operating environment

•  Temperature: 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F)

•  Relative humidity: 8% to 80% RH

 

Storage environment

•  Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)

•  Relative humidity: 5% to 95% RH

Maximum operating altitude 5,000 m (16,400 ft)

Synology DSM 7.2 Release

With the ongoing increase in demand for data security and privacy, Synology has also unveiled DSM 7.2 at the event. This release is highlighted with new features designed to ensure data resilience and fortified encryption.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the more important new enhancements and features with version 7.2:

  • Enhanced Data Storage and Protection:
    • WriteOnce Storage (WORM): A robust feature that allows users to create immutable shared folders where files can be locked for a set duration. There are two modes:
      • Compliance Mode: Tailored for regulatory adherence, it restricts even top-tier administrators from altering or deleting files in protected folders.
      • Enterprise Mode: Suited for data archiving, it offers the flexibility to delete WriteOnce folders.
    • Volume Encryption: An advanced volume-based encryption method encompassing all data, including package details, shared folders, and LUNs. It improves shared folder encryption by supporting longer file names and claiming an improvement of up to 48% for storage performance.
    • Immutable Snapshots: Powered by WORM technology, it makes backups resistant to ransomware attacks.
    • Hyper Backup: Supporting block-level full system backups will speed up backup processes and ensure comprehensive protection.
  • Optimized Storage Management and Performance:
    • M.2 SSD Storage Pools: A feature primarily aimed at workloads demanding swift responses and elevated random write performances.
    • Deduplication Improvements: Synology indicates a 25% speed boost in SSD data deduplication achieved by the new inline zero-block removal system.
  • Elevated Access Controls and Management Transparency:
    • Adaptive MFA: Designed to thwart suspicious admin accesses by identifying unusual login attempts. Verification is made convenient through email, Secure SignIn, and DS finder.
    • IP Auto Block: Expanded functionality that covers SMB and QuickConnect servers, safeguarding against brute-force attacks.
    • Active Insight: A future-ready feature that tracks current storage usage and anticipates future needs, thus enabling proactive decision-making.

With the newest release of DSM, Synology certainly reaffirms its position as a leader in storage solution management, ensuring that users have all the tools they need in the ever-evolving landscape of data security and management.

Other Synology Solutions Showcased

Synology FS6400

The Synology FlashStation FS6400 is a 2U rackmount server tailored for tasks demanding high I/O speeds and low latency, making it perfect for multimedia post-production, virtualization, online transaction tasks, or database functions.

  • CPU: Dual Intel Xeon Silver 8-core with NUMA
  • Memory: DDR4 ECC RDIMM, up to 512GB
  • Performance: Over 240,000 iSCSI 4K random write IOPS
  • Scalability: Up to 72 drives with FX24211

Synology FS6400 Product Page

Synology SA6400

Synology’s 12-bay SA6400 is engineered for quick data expansion. Capable of supporting up to 108 drives upon expansion, it’s a perfect fit for large enterprise data hubs, expansive production studios, and growing businesses in retail and hospitality that require significant data processing capabilities with prospects for growth.

  • Performance: 2,103MB/s read and 1,074MB/s write sequential throughput
  • Scalability: Scale up to 8 drives with Synology Expansion Unit RX4182
  • Connectivity: Built-in 4 x 1GbE ports with 10/25 GbE expansion option3
  • Memory: Up to 32 GB DDR4 ECC

Synology SA6400 Product Page

Synology RS822RP+

Synology’s slim 1U 4-bay RackStation RS822+/RS822RP+ boasts expandable storage and connectivity features. Paired with the robust DSM platform, it serves as an optimal edge storage system for subsidiary offices and mid-tier businesses.

  • Performance: 2,103MB/s read and 1,074MB/s write sequential /write throughput
  • Scalability: Scale up to 8 drives with Synology Expansion Unit RX4182
  • Connectivity: Built-in 4 x 1GbE ports with 10/25 GbE expansion option3
  • Memory: Up to 32 GB DDR4 ECC

Synology RS822RP+: Product Page

Synology BC500 and TC500 IP Cameras

Synology also showcased its previously released IP cameras, the BC500 and TC500. These cameras feature IP67 certification, motion detection night vision, and a 5-megapixel wide-angle camera, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.

We previously reviewed the BC500 and found it a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for simple and comprehensive surveillance needs.

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