Synology DiskStation DS124 1 Bay Desktop NAS

I was looking for a network file backup solution and this works perfectly out the box. I didn't need two bays or RAID so this unit is ideal. Very easy to set up, low power consumption and easy to access files remotely.

I chose a Seagate Ironwolf 2TB HDD, which was easy to install. Apparently you need to buy an adapter to fit 2.5" drives, but I'd choose a good quality 3.5" drive. Then again, full disclosure, I used to work for Seagate ;-) Connect to your LAN, plug it in, use the find utility to open the web client and follow the prompts. Takes about 10 minutes and you're up and running. As usual nowadays, the printed instructions supplied are minimal, so for more advanced features, search the web. There is a wide range of functions, including a backup utility, available to download and install on the device. I haven't run any tests, but I would describe the performance as good, subjectively. Good value compared with other products intended for home use.

Doing well so far. Bought this 3 months ago and it's been working well. Very easy to get up and running and seems fast and reliable. Also like that it makes itself easy to find remotely yet feels secure enough not to get hacked.

The DS124 is fast for browsing photos and the web UI is responsive. It's easy to set up, with a guided step-by-step process. It also has a low power consumption, which can be the real cost of owning a NAS if it's on all the time.I'm using it with a 4TB Samsung EVO 860 SSD (2.5 inch SATA III) - ignore the "supported drives" list as the cheapest equivalent on the list is 4 times the price. Note that you're meant to buy a special bit of plastic to hold the smaller 2.5 inch drive in place, but I found it stays in place without it. (Bad of them not to include said bit of plastic).Loses 1 star because this model does not support volume encryption. It is possible to encrypt individual shared folders. You can store the folder decryption key in the key manager on the device (presumably saved on the hard drive and protected in some way) and have the folder automount on bootup, or you can keep the keys separately and enter them each time you want to access the shared folder.

Thanks to Microsoft my elderly pair of WD MYClouds are not recognised or supported as part of my home network. Although I can map them for use within my immediate home PC's I'm led to believe from what I've read that this is only a temporary solution and does not easily fit in with my current usage.I also felt that, given their age, it would be a good idea to back up their contents. My needs are very simple and are easily met by the DS124. By purchasing it without a ready installed drive and installing a WD Red Plus, also from Amazon, I saved a considerable amount of money. Installation and setup was very straightforward. It comes with a comprehensive array of apps, which I may come to utilise sometime in the future. The case is smaller than I expected. (I know dimensions are published in the advert but I am of an age where centimetres and millimetres are as good as meaningless) In use it is silent and unobtrusive sitting on as shelf in a cabinet under the TV and Router in the lounge. So far it works as intended and I am very pleased with it. It did take a very long time to transfer the contents of my WD MYClouds, but as these were very slow, I expected this.

I bought a DS124 and a 1TB Ironwolf drive specifically to use as a media sever. I had considered a Mini PC but decided this would be more reliable left switched on 24/7.The setup was fairly straightforward, although very little in the way of instructions, so if you have never used a NAS before be prepared to watch some youtube videos.Although all the popular media server apps are supported and downloadable from Synology (free) I kept it simple and installed the Synology Media Server app which is a basic DLNA server. It works perfectly and I am very pleased.You can of course use it for backups, file sharing etc. and even access it when away from home which is a real bonus.

Excellent front would recommend

Very pleased with this, I wish I found this earlier (I must be reading the wrong tech sites). I use it for recording an IP camera, auto syncing files from Google Drive, ad-hoc file backups via the SMB drive mount , photo backups from Google Photos (but that was a manual process to download using Takeout), and as a music streamer using DLNA to my other devices. It's a Linux server with an easy to use and pleasant web interface. Drive purchased separately and screwed it in without a problem. Accompanying mobile apps work well with the surveillance software and for file access. This is light years ahead of the old WD MyBookLive I had years ago. [Edit] I also discovered it includes remote monitoring, called Active Insight, which needed to be activated on Synology's website.