Synology Disk Station DS209

Thrifty shoppers are faced with many options when choosing where to store their valuable data: from traditional optical media and drive based storage, to flash drives and even more exotic third party online storage - each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article Benchmark Reviews tests the Synology Disk Station DS209 Gigabit SATA Network Attached Storage (NAS) server. The NAS has lately gained popularity as more and more consumers realize the need for a reliable, cost effective, and easy to access centralized way to store their data. However, with so many competing products it's not always possible for buyers to easily compare what's on the market. Read on as Benchmark Reviews puts this "all-in-one" NAS through its paces. Intended for small/medium business (SMB) and small office/home office (SOHO) users, The Synology DS209 offers a relatively inexpensive and easy to use data storage and backup that's sure to appeal to budget-minded users.

When money is tight, people find new ways to reduce operating costs wherever they can. As a network administrator for several small and medium businesses, I'm used to seeing pedestal servers with expensive Windows Server edition Operating Systems running for the sole purpose of serving files out to the workgroup computers. These environments have made it necessary to look for money-saving opportunities elsewhere in the working environment. A few years back Network Attached Storage server hit the scene with a price tag comparable to the alternative, but the NAS products offered in today's market are far superior and cost much less than before.

Business needs to continue as usual, even in times of financial distress. But the solutions to common problems are forced to move with the changing economic climate and the cost of providing a product or service is adjusted with the times. For many unknowing companies, a Network Attached Storage (NAS) server is the cost-effective answer to dodging the expense of pricy server configurations. All of the same functions are present, whether it's file storage and transfer, web serving, or media streaming.

Storing and Sharing Files via Internet
Both Windows and Mac users can easily share files within an Intranet or through the Internet. Unicode language support makes sharing different language files from the Synology Disk Station NAS server function very smoothly.

PC Data and Server Data Backup
The Synology Server provides various backup solutions to back up Disk Station data or back up PC data to the DS209 or other rsync compatible servers.

Transferring Data via FTP
Synology Disk Station DS209 provides an FTP service with bandwidth restriction and anonymous login. To transfer data safely, "FTP over SSL" or "FTP over TLS" is also available.

Managing Files through Web Browsers
File Station makes it possible for users to manage their files on the Synology Disk Station easily through a web interface. Simply point the web browser to Synology File Station, and you have one more access point to your files.

Sharing Photos and Videos with Photo Station 2 + video
"Photo Station 2 + video" provides intuitive user interface to share your photos and videos online in a snap.

Enjoying Entertainment Data Stored on Server
"Download Station" allows you to download files from Internet through BitTorrent, FTP, and HTTP to Synology Server. Moreover, if you have UPnP DMA connected in the LAN, you can enable "Multimedia Service" and share the multimedia files on Synology server. If you just want to share and play mp3 files stored on Synology Server, you can enable "iTunes Service", and enjoy the music through any iTunes clients on LAN.

Enjoying Music instantly with USB Speakers
"Audio Station" allows users to collate music stored in Synology Server into a play list, play music stored on the Synology Server or from the connected iPod, or even stream Internet Radio Stations. With USB speakers connected to the Synology Server, you're able to bathe in music at anytime you want.

Programming your Own Web Site
Personal or corporate website can be easily setup using "Web Station" function. By integrating with PHP and MySQL, user can also set up a blog or even an online shop.

USB Print Server
You can share USB 2.0 Printer through Local Area Network.

About Synology, Inc.

Synology Inc., founded in April of 2000, creates next generation Network Attached Storage servers for the international market. Providing a secure way of storing and sharing digital content, Synology products are stylish in appearance, compact in size and energy efficient. Customer's investment is enhanced with free software upgrades and 24/7 online support. This makes the Synology product an ideal choice for the Home, Small Business and Corporate setting.

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