Synology DiskStation BeyondCloud Mirror 3TB NAS Review
Software and Administration
Since NAS drives all use similar hard drives internally and also use similar enclosures, what really separates them from each other isn't the storage or drives, but rather the software that is included, and the administration interface. If you're not familiar with Synology and how its system works, you are in for a treat because Synology includes what we can best describe as "the kitchen sink." Instead of some dinky interface you get an entire operating system named DiskStation Manger (DSM) that looks similar to Windows but runs on Linux, and that OS allows you to install and run a dizzying number of applications to increase the functionality of the NAS. You can install everything from video surveillance software to phyMyAdmin software on this drive, in addition to what is pre-installed. By default there are four packages pre-installed: Photo Station, Video Station, Audio Station, and Note Station. Take a look at this link to check out the pre-installed packages.
Additionally, the BeyondCloud series also lets you access the drive's contents from any Internet connection, so you'll never be without your files. The data on the drive can also be access via mobile apps that are available for both iOS and Android.
When you first connect the drive to your router it's pre-configured and ready to go; you just need to create an administrator account to access the drive and begin tweaking things. Here are the intro screens:
Once you close this help window you can see the main window of the DiskStation operating system. At this screen you are presented with four options: Package Center, Control Panel, File Station, or Help. Let's take a look at each of these areas next.
Additionally, the BeyondCloud series also lets you access the drive's contents from any Internet connection, so you'll never be without your files. The data on the drive can also be access via mobile apps that are available for both iOS and Android.
When you first connect the drive to your router it's pre-configured and ready to go; you just need to create an administrator account to access the drive and begin tweaking things. Here are the intro screens:
Once the drive is up and running, when you log in via a web browser you are taken to the main window of the operating system. At this point you might want to start adding users to the DiskStation, and the process gives you an extremely granular level of control over their activities, even going to far as to let you control their bandwidth on a per-hour basis. Of course you can limit their access to certain folders, put them in groups, etc.
Once your users are created and you want to begin exploring the drive, you will end up at the main window of the operating system, which is called DiskStation Manger 5.2 as of press time. By default there is a helpful pop-up window in place that helps you with the drive's most common functions, such as setting up cloud access, configuring a home theater, moving files to the drive, etc.
Once you close this help window you can see the main window of the DiskStation operating system. At this screen you are presented with four options: Package Center, Control Panel, File Station, or Help. Let's take a look at each of these areas next.
