Synology RX1217sas Expansion Unit Review – 12 Drive Bays, SAS/SATA Compatibility | Tech Blog

Synology RX1217sas Expansion Unit Review: A Deep Dive into Performance and Features

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Synology RX1217sas Expansion Unit is a powerful and versatile storage solution designed to expand the capacity of compatible Synology NAS servers. With its 12 hot-swappable drive bays and support for both SAS and SATA drives, this unit offers significant storage potential for demanding workloads. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its key features, performance, and real-world usage experience to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Key Features

The Synology RX1217sas Expansion Unit is packed with features that cater to enterprise-level storage needs. Here are some of its standout characteristics:

  • 12 Hot-Swappable Drive Bays: The RX1217sas allows for quick and easy drive replacement, ensuring minimal downtime during maintenance or upgrades.
  • SAS/SATA Compatibility: This unit supports a wide range of 3.5″ and 2.5″ SAS and SATA drives, giving you the flexibility to choose the best storage options for your specific requirements.
  • Dual Redundant Power Supply: The unit features two 500W power supplies, providing reliable power and redundancy for uninterrupted operation.
  • Synology DSM Integration: The RX1217sas seamlessly integrates with Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, allowing for centralized management and monitoring of the expansion unit.
  • Robust Design: The RX1217sas is built with a sturdy rackmount chassis and boasts a quiet operation, making it suitable for enterprise environments.

Performance

The RX1217sas delivers exceptional performance thanks to its high-speed SAS interface and the efficient handling of data by the Synology DSM. During our testing, we experienced rapid transfer speeds and minimal latency, making it ideal for demanding applications like video editing, database management, and large-scale file sharing.

The unit’s RAID capabilities, managed by Synology DSM, further enhance performance and data protection. You can configure various RAID levels, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6, to balance performance, capacity, and data redundancy based on your needs.

Pros & Cons

Like any product, the Synology RX1217sas comes with its strengths and areas for potential improvement.

Pros

  • Impressive storage capacity and scalability
  • High-speed data transfer rates
  • Excellent RAID support for data protection and performance
  • Easy drive management with hot-swappable bays
  • Reliable power redundancy with dual power supplies
  • Quiet operation and sturdy design

Cons

  • May be considered expensive compared to some other expansion units
  • Limited compatibility with Synology NAS models

Final Verdict

The Synology RX1217sas Expansion Unit is a top-tier storage solution that excels in performance, reliability, and scalability. If you require a robust expansion unit to boost the storage capacity of your compatible Synology NAS, the RX1217sas is a strong contender. However, it’s important to note its cost and compatibility limitations before making a purchase decision.

Overall, I highly recommend the Synology RX1217sas for businesses and individuals who need to expand their storage capacity and prioritize performance, data security, and ease of management. It’s a solid investment for those seeking a reliable and scalable storage solution that can handle demanding workloads.

Specifications


Feature Value