Synology DS1621+ NAS

Description

Synology DS1621+ is a 6-bay network-attached storage system designed for power users, small businesses, and advanced home labs requiring enterprise-grade data management with consumer-friendly interfaces. Powered by AMD Ryzen quad-core processor with hardware encryption and 4GB ECC RAM (expandable to 32GB), it delivers exceptional performance for file sharing, virtualization, surveillance recording, media streaming, and backup solutions. The comprehensive DSM operating system provides hundreds of applications for productivity, collaboration, and smart home integration.

Overview

My Implementation

Running DS1621+ with six 8TB IronWolf Pro drives in SHR-2 (dual drive redundancy) providing 28TB usable storage. Hosts virtual machines via Virtual Machine Manager for test environments, runs Docker containers for home automation services, stores Reolink surveillance recordings, serves Plex media library, and backs up all family computers via Active Backup. Integrated with Home Assistant for monitoring drive health, temperature alerts, and automated backup notifications. Upgraded to 18GB RAM for improved VM performance.

Device Score Summary

Category	Score	Rationale
Features	★★★★★	Exceptional versatility with file storage, virtualization, Docker, surveillance, backup, and media serving in single appliance. DSM software ecosystem unmatched.
Interoperability	★★★★☆	Native HA integration provides comprehensive monitoring and control. Works with NUT, SMB, NFS, iSCSI. Some sensors update slowly (15 min default polling).
Setup Ease	★★★★☆	Initial DSM configuration intuitive for NAS newcomers. Storage pool creation wizard excellent. VM and Docker setup requires technical knowledge. HA integration straightforward.
Cloud Dependency	★★★★★	Fully functional without internet. Cloud features (QuickConnect, remote access) optional. All data and applications operate locally.
Vendor Trust	★★★★★	Industry leader with 20+ years reputation for reliability, security updates, long product support lifecycle, and responsive customer service.
Overall	★★★★★	Premium NAS delivering enterprise features with consumer usability. Essential infrastructure for serious home labs and smart home environments.

★★★★★ Exceptional | ★★★★☆ Very Good | ★★★☆☆ Good Enough | ★★☆☆☆ Frustrating | ★☆☆☆☆ Avoid

Features

AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core 2.2 GHz processor with AES-NI hardware encryption acceleration
Six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive bays supporting up to 108TB raw capacity with large drives
Four 1GbE network ports with link aggregation and failover support
Virtual Machine Manager supporting Windows, Linux, and Virtual DSM instances
Surveillance Station with 40+ camera licenses included supporting 400 Mbps throughput
Comprehensive backup suite including Active Backup for Business, Hyper Backup, and snapshot replication
Docker container support via Container Manager for self-hosted applications
Media streaming with Plex, Emby integration plus native Video Station and Audio Station apps

Specifications

Price	$799 (diskless)
Protocol	Ethernet (4x 1GbE, expandable to 10GbE)
Hub Required	No
Power	Wired AC 250W
Cloud Dependency	Local (optional cloud sync available)
HA Integration	Native
Voice Control	None
Dimensions	6.9 x 11.0 x 9.1 inches
Warranty	3 years limited

Home Assistant Integration

Integration Method: Synology DSM

Requirements: DSM 5.x or higher with administrator account credentials. Optional: Surveillance Station installed for camera integration, File Station permissions for backup functionality. Two-factor authentication requires OTP configuration before integration works.
Entities: Sensors for CPU load, memory utilization, network transfer rates, disk temperature, volume usage, uptime. Binary sensors for security status and disk health. Camera entities for each Surveillance Station camera. Buttons for NAS reboot and shutdown. Switch for Surveillance Station Home mode.
Setup: Configuration → Integrations → Add Integration → Synology DSM. Enter NAS IP address, port (default 5000 or 5001 for HTTPS), admin username and password. Auto-discovery available for devices on same network.
Notes: Default polling interval is 15 minutes for system metrics, 30 seconds for Surveillance Station cameras. Can be adjusted in integration options. Media browser access to Synology Photos albums. Compatible with Network UPS Tools integration for UPS monitoring.

Practical Considerations

Disk Capacity Planning: Six bays fill quickly with large media libraries and VM storage. Plan for 40-50% overhead with SHR-2 redundancy. Consider expansion unit (DX517) if storage needs exceed initial capacity.
RAM Upgrade Recommended: Base 4GB RAM insufficient for multiple VMs or heavy Docker usage. Upgrade to 16-18GB dramatically improves performance for virtualization workloads.
Network Bottleneck: Four 1GbE ports adequate for most homes but consider 10GbE upgrade card if regularly transferring large video projects or serving multiple 4K streams simultaneously.
UPS Essential: Sudden power loss during write operations risks filesystem corruption. Connect to quality UPS with USB interface for graceful shutdown via Network UPS Tools.
Noise Level: Cooling fans audible under load. Not suitable for bedroom or quiet office placement. Basement, utility room, or closet installation preferred.
DSM Updates: Major DSM updates occasionally break third-party packages and Docker containers. Test updates on non-critical systems first or delay 2-3 weeks for community validation.
2FA Complexity: Two-factor authentication enhances security but complicates Home Assistant integration. Must generate application-specific password or OTP code for integration setup.