Synology Diskstation DS211J 2-Bay Gigabit Ethernet NAS Box

ringo747 said:
Do your 2TB drives come with the latest firmware pre-installed? There were some issues with them I recall. I haven't mine updated yet but must do that.
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Which 2TB drive are you referring to? If you can clarify this then I shall be able to have a look for you :)
 
Blimey...been a good few years since I did anything like that? Can I stick them into my USB dock and update them that way?

Anyone from OCuK got any suggestions?

What is the main problem with the existing firmware?
 
realscot said:
It's just a shame its so fugly. Probably one of the least good looking Nas boxes, shame you'd have to hide it away.
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Not really...its a nice looking box...if it was black in colour then it would be much more nicer.

But its an awesome NAS box...i have 2 1.5tb hds in a RAID 1 config and its bloody awesome imho.

Absolutely love it for what it does...
 
What is the main issue with the firmware? As Google seems to think its relating to having the drives in ACHI mode. Nothing specifically relates to have them as discs in a NAS?

Would be good to get some clarity around this, and would be disappointed that OCuK would be selling 2TB discs that are potentially self destructing. Not everyone is a techy and surely this sort of supposed problem would have been rectified?
 
Not sure about the technical explanations of why it is necessary to be honest.

Check out this link for a bootable ISO of Freedos with the update included:
http://tiny.cc/pw6id

Once the update has been applied the firmware version still stays the same apparently.
 
ringo747 said:
Not sure about the technical explanations of why it is necessary to be honest.

Check out this link for a bootable ISO of Freedos with the update included:
http://tiny.cc/pw6id

Once the update has been applied the firmware version still stays the same apparently.
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All arrived last week, and did the update no problem. Plugged both drives into my PC, booted to FreeDos, ran the update and it found both drives and updated both. As described, didn't update the serial number. But run it a couple of times and went through fine.

But....more importantly....

This NAS rocks. A truly awesome piece of kit. And can even access this from here at work and check download, play music etc remotely.

In some places, I did find I had to play around with the settings which does make me think for a good setup a bit of techy knowledge is key. But very intuitive UI makes this easier.

Went for RAID 1 instead of the recommended SHR (which is Synology's Hybrid intelligent RAID controller) and the parity checking took approx 5 hours for my two 2TB drives. But as its all done on the NAS, I switched off my PC and just checked every now and again.

iPhone Audio App is brilliant, however doesn't allow you to play music bought from iTunes unlike other media server apps I have had. Shame really. However just tested streaming media via 3G from my home NAS. How cool is that!!!!!

Other iPhone apps are available like FileStation but not managed to suss this yet. But will be awesome if I can.

To sum up, if you looking for NAS get this. I bought this and two F4 2TB drives all for under £300 (wish I had remembered free posting for forum members) and it has exceeded all expectations.
:D:D:D
 
Thanks for the update/review ScotlandTheBrave

What is the read/write performance like?

I held off buying one, now thinking I should have bought one!
 
Mike306 said:
Thanks for the update/review ScotlandTheBrave

What is the read/write performance like?

I held off buying one, now thinking I should have bought one!
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I haven't done any specific R/W tests, but compared to my old ICY BOX with Samsumg 500GB drives.. Its night and day better.

Some examples:
Use my PS3 as a Media Player, and played an album from the NAS last night. No jumps, buffer issues or slow to respond problems. If I skipped a track on my last NAS, it took a while to skip and then play. This is "almost" instant.

Played a few small movie files I had as well ;), exactly the same. No laggy issues or waiting for buffer. Straight play. Very impressed.

When you connect a Media server application to it, i.e PS3, iPhone etc the track listing, albums, artists etc are all instant. Before it always took a while to update. So its obviously creating a good index which access quickly and easier than previous NAS experience.

For what I want it for, its gonna be ace. I appreciate some of the uber nerds on here would prefer the larger 4+ bay Synology products but for me, mostly music, photos, and some video playing. Its just the ticket.

Having been so impressed, I am now temped to install some Wireless IP Security cameras and connect to the Surveillence Station functionality. Again, an iPhone app would mean I could check on the house whilst I'm away. This may be standard stuff nowadays, I've not been in the scene for 18m-2yrs but am blown away by the accessibility these products create.

A total genuine recommendation! Enjoy
 
Cud I connect this directly to my PC via Ethernet and use it like a normal external enclosure until I can get my router wired to my PC for HD content?
 
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