Popular NAS manufacturer Synology has confirmed and clarified its policy, the specifics of which became public knowledge worldwide after being published on its German-language website. For full compatibility, Plus series devices starting with the 2025 model range will require Synology-branded hard drives.
Image source: synology.com
«The newly announced Plus series will require Synology drives to operate, and the product compatibility list is planned to be updated so that additional drives in Synology systems may be subject to rigorous screening. Extensive testing has shown that drives that pass a rigorous screening process when connected to Synology systems are less likely to fail or experience compatibility issues,” the company told Ars Technica.
Installing third-party drives in such NAS systems that have not been approved by Synology will result in limitations on pool creation, volume-level data replication, and the lifespan analysis feature. Similar limitations are already in place for the XS Plus and rackmount models, although there are workarounds. The company said it will eventually introduce a “rigorous drive compatibility approval process” in which manufacturers will be able to submit drives for testing and documentation. “Drives that meet Synology’s strict standards can be verified for use, offering flexibility in ensuring system integrity,” Synology added.
Synology Plus models up to the 2025 series will continue to work with third-party drives as before, and the innovation will not affect the J and Values series devices either. Third-party drives used in previous-generation systems can also be transferred to the new NAS without restrictions. Synology itself does not manufacture hard drives, but purchases and changes the markings of Toshiba and Seagate drives. As a result, Synology drives are usually more expensive than similar models of original brands. Thus, a 3.5-inch hard drive of the Synology Plus HAT3310 form factor with a capacity of 8 TB is sold in the company’s online store for $ 210; one of the original drives, according to some sources, served as the basis for the HAT3310 – the Toshiba N300 model – costs $ 173 from other suppliers. The difference in price depends on the capacity of the drive or the transition to the Enterprise level.