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Aesthetics aside, I found setup to be a smooth and rather absorbing experience, due in no small part to the wondrously comprehensive DiskStation Manager 2.3 (DSM2.3) web interface, along with the client-side Synology Assistant. DSM2.3 allows for device management as well as providing browser interfaces for various ‘Station’ apps.
DiskStation Manager: start here for world domination
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Once configured, the DS210j performs exactly as expected with a full complement of streaming services all functioning flawlessly. No matter if you’re streaming music to a DLNA device or using the intuitive web interface for Audio Station, the experience is nothing short of pleasing.
Audio Station offers comprehensive and easily laid out music access
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One of the most novel features in this respect is the DS Audio iPhone app which allows streaming of music straight to any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch on the network – and with the correct DNS configuration should work over 3G too.
The iPhone apps include options for audio streaming and image transfers
It goes without saying that 1080p video playback is flawless and DiskStation Manager feels ultimately snappy and responsive. While the DS210j certainly gives the impression of speed, the benchmarks results are mixed.
COMMENTS
Qnap TS-210
I've got a Qnap TS-210 and its an awesome device. In fact when I read this review I was seeing definite similarities - including the interface to manage the device. Qnap have just released a Beta of their latest firmware which improves their Multimedia streaming options so that you can play your tunes via your iPhone through their Qnap iPhone app too. The Qnap TS-210 goes down to 7W in standby, but a very easy to use power management interface means you can easily power the unit on and off at set times when you know the device defintely won't be in use. Apart from being a very capable NFS/CIFS server, mine is running Squid, DHCP and DNS so I've got better control over wifi access than most wifi routers that get shipped with your broadband connection, ddns, Apache web server, Twonky Media Server for iTunes playback and if you've got a SqueezeBox it can stream to that too. Highly recommend the TS-210 and on face-value of this review, reckons it just edges above this device.
NAS Hunting
I have been hunting for a cheap NAS for some time and had it narrowed down to this or the Qnap TS-210 which seems similar but has double the RAM. Would be interested to see the Reg review that as well so I can get a side by side with the same benchmarks.
Else if anyone has the Qnap and could give opinions that would also be grand.
Says it supports Mail Station...
... on page 1 of the review:
"For business users, there is also a Server Backup tool and iSCSI Target support, plus Mail Station allowing users to run their own mail server."
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