# Synology NAS Synology makes the most popular turnkey [[Network Attached Storage (NAS)]] appliances. The hardware is unremarkable on purpose; what you're really buying is DSM (DiskStation Manager), a polished web-based operating system that makes running a storage server feel like using a desktop OS instead of administering Linux. Key features: - **Storage done right** — Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) mixes drive sizes without wasting space, and the Btrfs filesystem adds snapshots and data integrity checks. Snapshots give you point-in-time recovery when you delete or corrupt something. - **[[Docker]] support** — Container Manager (the rebranded Docker package) runs containers and docker-compose projects straight from the DSM UI. This turns the NAS into a proper [[Self-hosting]] platform: one always-on, low-power box for all the services you'd otherwise rent. - **Backup ecosystem** — Hyper Backup for versioned backups to external drives, another NAS, or cloud storage (fits neatly in a 3-2-1 strategy); Active Backup for Business for backing up entire computers and VMs; Snapshot Replication between devices. - **App packages** — Synology Photos (a serious Google Photos replacement), Drive (Dropbox-style sync with your own hardware), Video Station, Surveillance Station for cameras, and a whole package center beyond that. - **Sync-friendly** — runs [[Syncthing]] and similar tools happily, and QuickConnect or a VPN like [[Tailscale]] handles secure remote access without exposing ports. The trade-off: you pay a premium over DIY, the hardware specs are modest, and recent models push Synology-branded drives. In exchange you get something that Just Works and receives updates for years. For most people who want their data at home without making a hobby out of it, that's the right trade. ## References - Website: https://www.synology.com/ ## Related - [[Network Attached Storage (NAS)]] - [[Docker]] - [[Self-hosting]] - [[Syncthing]] - [[Tailscale]]