Synology NAS Sizing Guide
Quick takeaway
- Plan capacity for today + 2–3 years.
- RAID is not a backup — keep a separate copy of important data.
- Always check the official Synology compatibility list for your exact NAS + drive model.
- Full plain-language guide: RAID Levels Explained
Plan your Synology NAS
Drive makers label capacity in decimal TB; many systems also show binary TiB. RAID uses some space for protection, so usable capacity is lower than the sum of the drives.
For an interactive estimate, explore NAS sizing and RAID planning. For a full GST quote, WhatsApp +91 98808 45034 or support +91 99165 84123.
RAID in plain language
RAID combines several hard drives into one volume. See the full customer guide:
RAID Levels Explained — configurations, tables & examples →
| Mode | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| RAID 1 | Mirror on 2 drives — survives 1 drive failure | 2-bay home / small office |
| RAID 5 | Data + parity across 3+ drives — survives 1 failure | 4-bay and above, balanced capacity |
| RAID 6 | Extra parity — survives 2 drive failures | Larger business arrays |
| SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) | Flexible Synology mode, easier mixed sizes | Most home and SMB Synology setups |
Remember: RAID helps if a drive fails. It does not protect against accidental delete, ransomware, fire, or theft. Keep an independent backup.
Drive compatibility checks (do this before you buy)
- Note your exact NAS model (example: DS925+, DS1525+).
- Note the exact drive model number on the product page (example: ST4000VN006), not only “4TB IronWolf”.
- Open the official Synology compatibility list and search that drive for your NAS.
- Prefer the same capacity and series across all bays when building a new RAID volume.
- If the drive is not listed, ask us on WhatsApp before ordering — it may still work, but support and stability risk is higher.
Rough capacity planning
- Home backup / photos: often start at 2-bay with 4–8 TB drives
- Small office file share: 4-bay is a common sweet spot
- Video / creative / many cameras: more bays + faster networking (2.5GbE / 10GbE)
- Always leave headroom — data grows faster than expected
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