Synology Unveils Disk Station Manager 2.1 Software

At CeBIT 2009, Synology, Inc. announced its new Disk Station Manager 2.1 software and 09-series Disk Station models offering an unparalleled and affordable solution to increase Disk Station storage capacity up to 10 drives. Selected new models will feature 2.5" hard drive support for quiet operations with noise reduction by quickly switching from 3.5" hard drives to 2.5". The 09-series Disk Station models feature upgraded eco-friendly platforms cable of delivering performance, scalability and reliability.

Disk Station Manager 2.1
Built on AJAX technology, the new Disk Station Manager 2.1 software adds new mail server capabilities with the installation of the Mail Station add-on, enhances the Synology Surveillance Station, storage management, user management, and privilege management, and adds support for 4 new languages – Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (European), Turkish and Hungarian. The Disk Station Manager 2.1 will be shipped with all 09-series Disk Station models, and free upgrades will be officially available through Synology’s website for most models.

Feature Highlights:

• Enhanced usability: The Disk Station Manager 2.1 introduces a redesigned management interface that only lists authorized applications after login. The enhanced AJAX platform for Surveillance Station 2 and File Station 2 maximizes productivity through the easy-to-use web interface.
• Enhanced reliability: The Disk Station Manage 2.1 improves the error handling for compatible hard drives, eliminating the risk of volume failures and providing extra data protection.
• More new features: The Mail Station add-on provides one-step installation for the Disk Station to become a mail server. The Outlook-style web mail interface supports SMTP, POP3 and IMAP. Surveillance Station 2 now supports audio streaming. Authorized users are free to modify privileges of files and folders on the File Station 2, and the ‘User Home’ feature automatically creates a home folder and a personal website address for each user.

Affordable eSATA Scalability & Backup
Synology’s affordable storage solution provides volume expansion and backup capability for selected 09-series Disk Station models. The easy-to-use solution features storage expansion on the fly via plug-n-use connectivity and eSATA 3.0 Gb/sec access. "The product helps users smoothly scale up their Disk Station to 10 hard drives at an affordable cost," said Edward Lin, marketing director of Synology. "It’s also a great backup solution when created as an independent volume."

Feature Highlights:

• Easy Volume Expansion & Backup
• Plug-n-use connectivity
• Hot-swappable HDD design
• Hibernation

2.5" HDD Support With Quiet Operations
New support for 2.5" hard drives enables reduced power consumption and vibration, together with increased MTBF and shock tolerance. Leveraging the benefits of the 2.5" hard drive format Synology will this year introduce a slim Disk Station designed for 2.5" hard drives and a 2.5" Disk Holder to support 3.5" disk compatible Disk Station models.

The slim Disk Station design brings together quietness, power-saving, reliability, easy disk replacement, and a rich feature set in a compact design. Its 2.5" snap-in disk design requires minimal effort to install and replace disks. The smart fan design keeps the slim Disk Station fan off under normal operations and spinning up at very low speed only when needed, thus brings quiet operations. Shipped with the Synology Disk Station Manager 2.1 firmware, the slim Disk Station offers an industry leading NAS solution.

• Quiet, power-saving, and reliable
• Easy assembly and easy disk replacement

Synology 2.5" Disk Holder helps users easily deploy 2.5" hard drives on selected 09-series Disk Station models. When 2.5" hard drives are installed, the smart fan design keeps the Disk Station fan off under normal operation and spinning up at very low speed only when needed. The Synology 2.5" Disk Holder offers an economical way to achieve noise reduction, power saving, and reliability for the Disk Station.

• Comes in Type A for 1-bay models and Type B for 2 and 4 bay models
• Easy assembly

09-series Disk Station Models
The new 09-series Disk Station models range from 1-bay, 2-bay, 4-bay, to 5-bay, featuring a new outlook, upgraded platform, and comprehensively offer scheduled power on/off for energy savings and lowering running costs. All models are shipped with the Synology Disk Station Manager 2.1.

Feature Highlights:

• Updated hardware configuration
• Improved performance and reliability
• Scheduled Power on/off support

The availability of new product series in this release is to be disclosed.