Synology DS207 2-Bay NAS Server

In an attempt to regulate the overall length of this review, we are not going to go too far into the core features with pictures but rather, we are going to list them all, including each options sub features along the way.

The first screen that we come to is the INFORMATION menu. The options found on this screen are what one would expect to find in a menu titled “information.”

Moving down the menu, we get to the SYSTEM screen. This screen houses the settings for the device itself such as factory reset, email alerts for failed hard disks and firmware updates.

The next menu is titled STORAGE. This menu gives us the option to change the way not only store our data on the DS207, but to also divide up the disk space to allow personal folders for as many users that you want to access the volumes.

Moving down the list, the next one is something that I find quite enjoyable… PRIVILEGES. When setting up any storage device on a network, there are undoubtedly files that are sensitive enough that you don’t want stray eyes wandering across them.

Fortunately, Synology has thought of this and allowed the device’s admin to create users and groups, as well as assign privileges to each user created on the DS207. This is where the joys of active directory come in. For those that might be unaware of what Active Directory is, it’s simply a way to authenticate and authorize services, assign policies and apply critical updates centrally as opposed to laying hands on each and every PC that needs to be modified.

While I have only been a network admin for a little over a year now, I am so comfortable with active directory, and well aware of what it brings to the table compared to networks before AD, it honestly makes company wide network administration quite simple. The fact that Synology has included the option to use Active Directory places the DS207 well above any other NAS that we have reviewed to date.

With any NAS, there are always features that set the device apart from other offerings from other companies. In the case of the DS207, the features are its most appealing selling point. From the NETWORK SERVICES area of the GUI, most of the features are available to activate or disable. These features include:

One of the most appealing services that a NAS can provide is the ability to backup critical and important data easily and conveniently from anywhere on the network. With the DS207’s BACKUP section in the GUI, this can all be setup. Backups can be directed into particular volumes on the drive to further segregate the data coming into the NAS.

In the EXTERNAL DEVICES section, the DS207 gives us the option to manage all devices that are connected to the NAS. This includes USB hard drives, printers, thumb drives and if applicable, uninterruptible power supplies.

The last menu option is the DOWNLOAD SERVICE. Here we can manage our downloads as well as enable the download station. We will get more into the download station in a bit but for now, lets take a look at what this area of the GUI has to offer.