Synology DS224+ and QNAP TS-251D NAS comparison | ACE Data Recovery Article
The best small NAS device for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Those two-bay NAS devices can support up to 32 TB of storage capacity and offer a range of features and applications to enhance your data management and productivity. We will go over the main specifications, performance, and functionality of the Synology DS224+ NAS compared to the QNAP TS-251D and share our experience with using them, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two.
NAS Specifications
The Synology DS224+ NAS is powered by a quad-core Intel Celeron J4125 processor, which runs at 2.0 GHz and can boost up to 2.7 GHz. It has 2 GB of DDR4 memory, which can be expanded up to 6 GB. It has two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive bays, which can accommodate SATA HDDs or SSDs. It also has two M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache, which can improve the performance of frequently accessed data. The Synology DS224+ NAS supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) configurations, which offer different levels of data protection and storage efficiency.
<The QNAP TS-251D is also powered by a quad-core Intel Celeron J4025 processor, which runs at 2.0 GHz and can boost up to 2.9 GHz. It has 2 GB or 4 GB of DDR4 memory, depending on the model, which can be expanded up to 8 GB. It has two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive bays, which can accommodate SATA HDDs or SSDs. It also has one M.2 SATA slot for SSD cache, which can improve the performance of frequently accessed data. The QNAP TS-251D supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and Single Disk configurations, which offer different levels of data protection and storage efficiency.
Both NAS devices have similar specifications in terms of processor, memory, and drive bays. However, the Synology DS224+ NAS has an advantage in terms of SSD cache slots, as it supports two M.2 NVMe slots, while the QNAP TS-251D only supports one M.2 SATA slot. NVMe SSDs are faster than SATA SSDs, and can provide better performance for the NAS.
The Synology DS224+ NAS has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, which support Link Aggregation and Failover. It also has three USB 3.0 ports, one eSATA port, and one HDMI port. The HDMI port can be used to connect the NAS to a monitor or TV, and use it as a media center with the Synology Video Station app. The Synology DS224+ NAS also supports 4K video transcoding, which means it can convert high-resolution videos to lower resolutions for smoother playback on different devices.
The QNAP TS-251D also has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, which support Link Aggregation and Failover. It also has three USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C port, and one HDMI port. The HDMI port can be used to connect the NAS to a monitor or TV, and use it as a media center with the QNAP HD Station app. The QNAP TS-251D also supports 4K video transcoding, which means it can convert high-resolution videos to lower resolutions for smoother playback on different devices.
Both NAS devices have similar connectivity options in terms of Ethernet ports, USB ports, and HDMI ports. However, the QNAP TS-251D has an advantage in terms of USB Type-C port, as it supports faster data transfer speeds than USB Type-A ports.
The Synology DS224+ NAS has a compact and sleek design, with a black metal chassis and a plastic front panel. It measures 165 x 108 x 232 mm and weighs 1.3 kg. It has a fanless design, which makes it very quiet and energy-efficient. It also has an LED indicator, a power button, and a USB copy button on the front panel.
The QNAP TS-251D also has a compact and sleek design, with a white metal chassis and a plastic front panel. It measures 168 x 105 x 226 mm and weighs 1.64 kg. It has a fan design, which makes it slightly louder than the Synology DS224+ NAS but still relatively quiet. It also has an LED indicator, a power button, and an IR receiver on the front panel.
Both NAS devices have similar designs in terms of size, weight, and appearance. However, the Synology DS224+ NAS has an advantage in terms of noise level, as it has a fanless design, while the QNAP TS-251D has a fan design.
NAS Performance and Functionality Comparison
The Synology DS224+ NAS delivers excellent performance for its price range. According to the official specifications, it can achieve over 225 MB/s sequential read and write speeds, and over 113 MB/s encrypted read and write speeds. In my own tests, using CrystalDiskMark benchmark software, I got similar results with a single WD Red 4 TB HDD installed in the NAS. The performance was even better when I added an SSD cache using a Samsung 970 EVO Plus 250 GB M.2 NVMe SSD.
The QNAP TS-251D also delivers excellent performance for its price range. According to the official specifications, it can achieve over 220 MB/s sequential read and write speeds, and over 110 MB/s encrypted read and write speeds. In my own tests, using CrystalDiskMark benchmark software, I got similar results with a single WD Red 4 TB HDD installed in the NAS. The performance was also improved when I added an SSD cache using a Crucial MX500 250 GB M.2 SATA SSD.
Both NAS devices have similar performance in terms of sequential read and write speeds, and encrypted read and write speeds. However, the Synology DS224+ NAS has an advantage in terms of SSD cache performance, as it supports faster NVMe SSDs than the QNAP TS-251D.
The Synology DS224+ NAS also handles multiple tasks smoothly, thanks to its powerful processor and memory. I was able to run several applications simultaneously on the NAS, such as file sharing, backup, media streaming, photo management, video surveillance, and more. The NAS also supports Docker and virtual machines, which allow you to run various operating systems and applications on the NAS.
The QNAP TS-251D also handles multiple tasks smoothly, thanks to its powerful processor and memory. I was also able to run several applications simultaneously on the NAS, such as file sharing, backup, media streaming, photo management, video surveillance, and more. The NAS also supports Docker and virtual machines, which allow you to run various operating systems and applications on the NAS.
Both NAS devices have similar functionality in terms of multitasking, Docker support, and virtual machine support.
NAS Functionality
The Synology DS224+ NAS runs on the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, which is one of the best NAS software in the market. DSM is very user-friendly and intuitive, with a desktop-like interface that lets you access all the features and settings of the NAS easily. DSM also offers a rich selection of applications that you can install on the NAS to enhance its functionality and usability.
Some of the most popular Synology NAS applications include:
- Synology Drive: A cloud service that lets you sync and access your files across different devices.
- Synology Moments: A photo management app that lets you organize and share your photos with AI-powered features.
- Synology Video Station: A media server app that lets you stream your videos to different devices with subtitles and metadata.
- Synology Audio Station: A music player app that lets you play your music collection on the NAS or stream it to other devices.
- Synology Download Station: A download manager app that lets you download files from various sources such as HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent, NZB, etc.
- Synology Active Backup: A backup app that lets you backup your data from various sources such as PCs, servers, virtual machines, cloud services, etc.
- Synology Surveillance Station: A video surveillance app that lets you manage your IP cameras and record live footage on the NAS.
- Synology Office: A productivity app that lets you create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on the NAS.
- Synology MailPlus: An email server app that lets you host your own email service on the NAS.
These are just some of the applications that you can use on the Synology DS224+ NAS. There are many more apps available on the Synology Package Center or third-party sources, which can cater to different needs and preferences.
The QNAP TS-251D runs on the QNAP QTS operating system, which is also one of the best NAS software in the market. QTS is also very user-friendly and intuitive, with a desktop-like interface that lets you access all the features and settings of the NAS easily. QTS also offers a rich selection of applications that you can install on the NAS to enhance its functionality and usability.
Some of the most popular QNAP NAS applications include:
- Qsync: A cloud service that lets you sync and access your files across different devices.
- QuMagie: A photo management app that lets you organize and share your photos with AI-powered features.
- Qmedia: A media server app that lets you stream your videos to different devices with subtitles and metadata.
The Synology DS224+ and the QNAP TS-251D are both good choices for home and small business users. The Synology DS224+ is a better choice if you are looking for a user-friendly NAS with Docker support. The QNAP TS-251D is a better choice if you need more RAM and M.2 slots. Ultimately, the best NAS device for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
NAS data recovery services by ACE Data Recovery
NAS data recovery is the process of recovering data from a network-attached storage (NAS) device. NAS devices are used to store and share data over a network, and weare often used in businesses and homes. Data loss on a NAS device can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Hardware failure: The hard drives in a NAS device can fail, just like any other hard drive.
- Software corruption: The software on a NAS device can become corrupted, which can lead to data loss.
- Human error: Users can accidentally delete or format data on a NAS device.
- Natural disasters: NAS devices can be damaged by natural disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes.
If you have lost data on your NAS device, you may be able to recover it with the help of a data recovery company. ACE Data Recovery is a leading provider of data recovery services, and wehave a proven track record of recovering data from NAS devices.
The first step in the NAS data recovery process is to assess the damage. ACE Data Recovery engineers will carefully examine your NAS device to determine the cause of the data loss. Once the damage has been assessed, ACE Data Recovery will develop a recovery plan.
The recovery plan will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the data loss. In some cases, ACE Data Recovery may be able to recover the data without having to remove the hard drives from the NAS device. In other cases, it may be necessary to remove the hard drives and perform a more in-depth recovery.
ACE Data Recovery uses a variety of techniques to recover data from NAS devices. These techniques include:
- Hard drive imaging: This involves creating an exact copy of the hard drive, which can then be used to recover the lost data.
- File carving: This involves searching the hard drive for fragments of files that have been deleted or corrupted.
- RAID recovery: This involves recovering data from RAID arrays, which are used to store data on multiple hard drives.
ACE Data Recovery has a success rate of over 95% for NAS data recovery. This means that if you have lost data on your NAS device, there is a good chance that ACE Data Recovery will be able to recover it.
If you are experiencing data loss on your NAS device, do not hesitate to contact ACE Data Recovery. We have the expertise and experience to help you recover your lost data.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind if you are considering NAS data recovery:
- The sooner you contact a data recovery company, the better. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the data will be lost permanently.
- Do not attempt to recover the data yourself. This could make the data loss worse.
- Be prepared to pay for the data recovery services. Data recovery is not cheap, but it is often worth the cost to recover important data.
If you have lost data on your NAS device, do not despair. ACE Data Recovery can help you recover your lost data. Contact us today for a free consultation.