Review Synology DS216+II 2 Bay NAS

Synology, the Taiwanese NAS production company has become a trusted name in Surveillance
Stations and Network Attached Storage appliances. The DiskStations and RackStations
produced by Synology are widely used as reliable storage commodities. The Synology
DiskStation 216 + 2 Bay NAS, more commonly known as the DS216+II, this 2 Bay NAS is aimed
for home users or small office owners. It is the perfect storage medium to provide secure and
efficient data sharing and storage solutions as well as an effective video transcoding solution for
a verity of viewing mediums.

Introduction
The successor to DS212+ NAS, the DS216+II is a major improvement, especially in the Plex
related issues. With a much-improved processor and DSM, the DS216+IIs have been received
positively by the loyal Synology customers. With its signature ease of use, a vast array of
features available on Synology’s own ‘App store’ along with effective data storage and sharing
options, this Synology NAS device has won its over.

What is Synology DS216+II 2 Bay NAS

The new DiskStation 216+ II by the looks of it has it all. All the functionality a moderate home
user or a small office could want, the Synology DS216+II can deliver.

This Synology NAS comes equipped with Intel N3060 Dual core Celeron processor with 1.6 burst
up to 2.48G Hz. The CPU has an AES-NI hardware encryption engine incorporated in it. Whereas
the hardware transcoding engine also have impressive specs; with H.264 AVC, H.265 HEVC,
MPEG-2 and VC-1 support; and a maximum resolution of 4K (4096 x 2160); along with the
maximum frame rate per second (FPS) of 30.This NAS has an internal memory of 1 GB DDR3.

The system can deliver encrypted data transfer speed of 113 MB/s reading and 109 MB/s
writing. The DS216+II NAS also features real-time support to transcode H.264 4K Ultra HD
video. And can support a single channel 4K transcoding or triple channel transcoding in Full-HD.
All these functionalities along with the NAS’ facility to utilize the DVB-T/DVB-S sticks as well as
the recording utility, makes this Synology NAS device a media heaven for small-scale users. The
Video, Audio, and Photo Stations featured in Synology DS 216+II bay NAS support DLNA and
AirPlay, as well as Bluetooth or other wireless transmissions via dongles.

The DiskStation DS216+II features a front facing 3.0 USB port with one-touch copy button, as
well as two 2.0 USB ports in the back. With the Ethernet connection, one eSATA port, and two
swappable SATAIII/SATAII SDD and HDD drives; hardware wise, the DS216+II offers an
impressive array of functionalities.
And when we talk about software, then along with the usual fare of backups, restores, Cloud
Station features like file versioning and other specialties that we have come to expect from
each of the Synology’s DiskStations, the DS216+II also features Btrfs and EXT4 file system for
internal devices. And for external drives, it can support Btrfs, EXT4, EXT3, FAT, NTFS, HFS+, and
also exFAT when purchased separately in Package Center. With the Btrfs you can now have
features like data integrity check, a variable Shared Folder/User Quota system, the innovative
snapshot technology with adaptable backup plans that can facilitate up to 64 replicas of shared
folder backups, and very convenient folder level data restoration options.

Why do you need a Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS

Let’s go over a few features that make Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS a valuable
addition to your network.

1. It offers high-speed data transfer as well as hardware encryption engine all rolled into
one easy package.
2. Its installation is quite simple and easy along with hassle-free long time maintenance.
3. Like its predecessors, it also offers the Synology signature video transcoding feature, but
in 4K Ultra HD!
4. The Operating Station in DiskStation 216+II DiskStation Manager is as efficient as they
come.
5. Your new Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS can be easily amalgamated into your
business environments quite easily.
6. The Compatible sharing options available in Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS
makes it an Admin favorite.
7. With real-time backup solutions, you can rest easy that your data is in a secure
environment.
8. Utilizing all the Cloud services has been made easier than ever. With Google Docs,
DropBox and OneDrive your data sharing and updating can become completely hassle
free.
9. With great mobile apps, comes great freedom of movement with apps. You can enjoy
apps like DS note, DS audio, DS video, DS photo, DS cloud, DS file, DS get and DS cam.
You can even manage your data via your mobile or tablet. With Synology mobile
applications your data can always be at your fingertips.

Unveiling your Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS

Now that we have gotten acclimated to the uses and advantages of the Synology DiskStation
216+II bay NAS, let’s have a closer look at the device itself.

What to expect in your Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS box

The new Synology DiskStation216+II bay NAS comes in a nondescript light brown colored
cardboard box. The box lacks any fancy graphics or colors. Instead, the sturdy packaging is
simply emblazoned with the DiskStation Logo in a huge font at the bottom corner on each side,
with a smaller colored sticker pasted on the other corner, showing the device model and a brief
device intro. The box features a briefcase handle on top for easy handling.

Upon opening the box, you can see the unit covered in thin white protective foam covering
paper, surrounded by packing foam. A smaller box is placed on the side, containing the
accessories, which include an Ethernet cable, a power cable and its power brick and a quick
installation guide. If you intend to use your NAS for surveillance purpose you can ask for
Synology Surveillance Device License Pack that includes Camera License Pack and VisualStation
360HD, these will enable you to set up your observing and playback station.

What features does the exterior of the Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay
NAS display?
The NAS unit itself is a black colored 165mm tall, 108mm wide and 233.2mm long, rectangular
shaped device. The body or chassis is made of high-quality plastic. The front of the NAS is
predominantly covered by a shiny black plastic panel, which can be removed to reveal the two
HDD bays. The opposite corner has four LEDs; each has the following label marked as; status,
LAN, Disk 1 and Disk 2. Below the LEDS is a 3.0 USB port, followed by its one-touch copy
button. And the last button on the front panel is the Power button.

When you turn the NAS on its sides, you can see Synology® embossed on either side in the
plastic chassis. The back of the device is dominated by the 92 mm x 92 mm fan. Below the fan is
the two USB 2.0 ports. Beside the USB ports, you can find the Ethernet port. Just beside these
ports, a Kingston lock is located, and under the ports, you will see the eSATA port followed by
the 12 Volts Power outlet for the NAS.

Now let’s return to the front of the NAS and have a closer look behind the removable plastic
panel that hides the HDD bays. The panel can be easily popped out by a slight pull, as it is held
in place by four rubber grommets. The bays themselves can be pulled out by small push release
latches located on top of each bay. These bays are completely tool free and can support both
2.5 inch and 3.5-inch drives.

What features does the interior of the Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay
NAS display?
The plastic chassis can be easily removed from the NAS by removing a couple of screws. The
most important feature on the inside is the motherboard. The motherboard in Synology 216+II
NAS is surprisingly small. Some users claim that this motherboard is, in fact, the smallest NAS
motherboard they have encountered so far.
The RAM is soldered onto the motherboard and is not augmentable. Since there are no other
channels present for any additions, your only option is a 1GB DDR3. The board also features
two VRMs, Voltage Regulation Meters. Other important chips present include a PIC16F1829 8-
bit microcontroller, the BIOS flash chip, a Micron 25Q064A, and as the Ethernet manager a
Realtek RTL8211E. A noticeable feature on the motherboard itself is that only the polymer caps
by Chemi-Con and Sanyo are used.

Other features present inside include a small STMicroelectronics SOC and its heatsink sans any
fan, and a couple of voltage regulation modules (VRMs) on the mainboard. The only PCIe slot
present on board holds the SATA expansion card for another SATA connector.

Setting up Your Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS

Now that you know the important parts inside, put the NAS back together again so that we can
begin working with it on our network.

Before powering on your device pop out the front panel, take out a bay and insert the 3.5’’ hard
disk into place. If you are using 2.5’’ bays you will need screws to secure them in the bays. Slide
the bay back inside the NAS and you are good to go.

Step 1:

Attach the NAS to the network via the Ethernet cable provided in the Sinology DiskStation
216+II NAS Accessories.

Step 2:

Power up the NAS, now using a client system connected to the NAS pull up the browser present
in the system and access the web page ‘find.synology.com’. When your NAS is powered on and
connected to the network, the web page will self-detect the IP address of your NAS and you can
simply proceed with the setup.

Step 3:

You will be automatically directed to download and install the latest version of the DiskStation
Manager. Alternately, you can also install a previously downloaded version by choosing
‘Manual Install’ option. Incidentally, beware that during installation, any data already present
on the disk will be wiped out. The downloading and installation takes a little time, anywhere
from 10 min to 30 min.

Step 4:

Once the installation is completed the NAS will automatically restart. And you will be directed
to the welcome page. Now your task is to create your ‘Administrator Account’, here you will be
asked to enter your Server name, User Name, and the Password.
Step 5:

Next, you will be asked to enter your DSM update settings, it is recommended to choose auto
update so that with Synology constantly updating its DSM software, you won’t be left blind-
sighted. The current DSM version available for Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay is DSM 6.0.2

Step 6:

Next, the set-up will direct you to ‘Set up Quick Connect’. This valuable feature of Synology NAS
allows you to access your NAS from anywhere quickly and securely. You can create a new ID to
access this feature, alternatively, if you already have a Quick Access ID you can use that as well.

Step 7:

The next step is to install all the Synology recommended packages; these packages will help you
to use the DSM with its full functionality. These packages include Audio Station, Video Station,
Download Station, Photo Station, Cloud Station, and Media Server. After the packages’
installation, which takes roughly 10 minutes you will be given the ‘All Set’ message and are
ready to explore the DSM.

Which Apps can you experience with Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay
NAS
Exploring the DiskStation Manager

The DSM software is one of the most robust and feature-rich NAS manager software you can
expect to find in the market. Let’s review some of the most anticipated applications present on
this Synology DSM.

File Station

You can use the File Station present in the DSM software using your web browser. The file
station can be used just like your standard windows explorer. Add new data by simple drag and
drop in the browser; and easily access, organize and further share your data already present on
the NAS.

The File Station can also be used to set access levels for users to the shared folders.
Additionally, all the important cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive can be
utilized using File Station.

Photo Station

For the Synology DSM, the Photo Station app serves as the centralized photo organizer. Your
photos can be accessed from anywhere from your home or office network. A useful feature for
both professional and amateur photographers, Photo Station provides secure access to photos
on the go, from any device. It also makes sorting and storing photos, and of course showing
them off on various media output devices very continent. This application supports remote
photo viewing, effective and secure photo sharing and even blog postings! Additionally, if you
have enough space you won’t even be needing third party services like Flickr. With the help of
DS Photo app, you can upload photos to the NAS using your Android or iOS directly into the
Photo Station.

Audio Station

Your audio files are also effectively stored and organized via the Audio Station. You can create
your own playlists and rate your clips just the way you like. Audio Station also provides support
for Internet Radio, AirPlay, and even the Bluetooth devices. Just like the DS Photo app, the DS
Audio app allows streaming from the NAS to other Android and iOS devices. You also have the
option to play offline audio clips in your other devices downloaded from your NAS.

Video Station

One of the major features of the Synology DSM is its Video Station. With the updated Video
Station you can now save, organize and access your favorite Movies, TV Show episodes,
personal home videos, Clips captured from TV all in one place. And all this comes with the
ability to stream your videos on a vast variety of visual media output devices, from your own
laptop screen to your mobile screen or your living room TV. Video Station can transcode your
video on the fly to any watchable format that your viewing media supports. Synology now has
introduced 'offline transcoding', feature to its DSM too. Now you can pre-transcode any video
and use the DS video app to download the transcribed video into your device for later viewing.

Download Station

A staple in all Synology NAS devices, the Download Station facilitates downloads from a
multitude of online resources. DSM Download Station support BT, FTP, HTTP, NZB, Thunder,
FlashGet, QQDL, and eMule, downloads along with any torrent downloading directly using the
Synology search engine. Now you do not need to keep your PC switched on to keep your
downloads going, just leave your much more power efficient NAS to do the job.

Note Station

Content creation can now be done via your NAS too. The Note Station helps you to generate,
organize and share your notes via a user friendly, yet comprehensive interface. This feature-rich
content editor can help you create a variety of text styles. From your day to day to-do lists, to
lengthy diary entries, class notes or travel itineraries, to small clippings of all your favorite
quotes and memos; you can create any content style you want or need.

And accessing this content is made easy via the search feature included in the Note Station; you
can even search the attachments to find your desired note. Furthermore, Notes creation is not
the only utility you get with this app, you can even encrypt your notes if you want.
Spreadsheet

With the Spreadsheet provided in the Synology DSM, multiple users can work on data together.
The added bonus here is that you will not require clouds like Google Docs to access the data.
With Synology Spreadsheet you can enjoy the benefits of collaboration without relying on third
parties for data security.

Cloud Services

Although you can work your spreadsheets without using clouds that does not mean you are
deprived of the various cloud-based services. You can create your own Cloud service via cloud
station and take full advantage of all the classic cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox
Synology allows you to create your own Cloud service with Cloud Station. You can run your own
Dropbox and OneDrive. Retain total control over your data, just update data in one location and
all the replicas on all your other computers and smart devices on the network will be updated
as soon as you save the alteration. You can now pick up your work at home, exactly from where
you left it at your office, without any hassle of external portable devices.

Cloud Station

With your Cloud Station utilities; the Cloud Station Backup, Cloud Station ShareSync and DS
Cloud, you can now manipulate and safeguard your data with ease. Back up all your data
automatically in real-time with Cloud Station Backup. Sync your multiple NAS servers with Cloud
Station ShareSync. And do selective syncing with DS Cloud, data backup creation and sharing
are made the easiest possible with Cloud Station.

Synology Surveillance Station

Sinology name is synonymous efficient surveillance solutions. The Synology NAS devices are one
of the most reliable options to integrate into your system for smart surveillance and all the
relevant video management purposes.

Ideal for Small Scale Surveillance Needs

For small scale surveillance requirements, the DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS can be a viable
option. While the large scale surveillance systems are primary targets for Synology Surveillance
systems, they have not overlooked the small scale and home users. For small scale surveillance
requirements, the Synology Surveillance Station is optimized to handle feed from up to 16 IP
cameras.

Feature-Rich Interface

Synology Surveillance is one of the best options available in value and services. It requires no
added software and no added expenditure to deploy. In addition to being your storage medium
and video management support, the Synology Network Video Recorder also provides added
network server features like integral DHCP, Syslog, VPN Server, NTP, etc., allowing you the best
possible surveillance solution, at the most cost efficient and easy maintenance rates.

The Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay comes equipped with its own Camera License Pack and
the VS Firmware operating system of VS360HD to handle surveillance needs. Improved and
manageable license packs are additionally accessible for users who need to increase the
number of IP cameras in their surveillance network.

CSM Attuned

It is ‘the’ compact and all-in-one Network Video Recorder solution for small space
requirements. There is no need to add resource exhausting new surveillance systems, with
added costs, additional computers and monitoring software, team and storage requirements.
The built-in HDMI port, enables you to use your local display for surveillance purpose. The
Synology NVR can be swiftly fit in any environment. And additionally, it can be deployed as a
stand-alone or amalgamated using the Synology CSM, Central Management System into a
larger deployment consisting of several smaller configurations.

The Synology Surveillance Station VisualStation VS360HD that is the companion system of the
Surveillance Station for Synology DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS functions as a remarkably
compact observing and playback station for a small scale usage.

Salient Features You Can Enjoy

Using the CSM, VS360HD handles and couples video streams sent from several Surveillance
Stations at the same time. The Video output of VisualStation VS360HD is in the form of VGA and
HDMI, and its Supported Video Resolution is 1080p at 60Hz. With an Audio input and output of
3.5 mm, it has a decent performance level. At its maximum performance level, it can handle
360 Frames per Second at 720p (1280x720) supporting 36 defend channels, in H.264 format. On
the other end of the spectrum, for maximum visual impact, it can deliver 10 Frames per Second
at 5 megapixels (2591x1944) for one channel only in MJPEG format.

Additionally, you will be able to enjoy features like live view and recording playback, snapshot
support, eMap Support, PTZ Control and Patrol and Log Viewer. The VisualStation VS360HD
comes with its own set of accessories that include the Main Unit, a Quick Installation Guide, an
AC Power Adapter, one RJ-45 LAN cable and its own VESA mounting kit.

Operating the VS360HD does not require an extensive background in surveillance, with Live
View panel popping up on the screen automatically when the device is turned on. And the
‘Timeline’ can be easily used to view all the recorded events; it also facilitates taking snapshots
and then transferring them to the external storage device.

Featuring Dual Video Output, you can utilize several VS360HD units via KVM switch to deploy a
more comprehensive surveillance system in a most cost effective manner.
Conclusion
Whether used solely as a NAS or as a cost-effective surveillance system as well, the Synology
DiskStation 216+II 2 bay NAS is quite a deal! With its robust enough network transfer speeds,
efficient CPU that keeps power consumption in strict check, superb encoding and transcoding
capabilities, a kickass DSM Operating system and last but not least the singular surveillance
facility with that comes with up to 16 IP camera licenses, this NAS has got it all.

The 4K streaming compatibility can make it a media fanatic’s favorite. The only fact against it at
this point is its limited 1GB RAM. Regardless of this limitation, when viewed from price to
performance ratio, it will be a no-doubt winner for home and small office owners.