ioSafe N2: A Disaster-Resistant Synology DS213
by Ganesh T S on March 4, 2013 12:00 PM ESTPerformance Benchmarks - Multiple Clients
We put the ioSafe N2 / Synology DS213 through some IOMeter tests with a SMB share being accessed from up to 25 VMs simultaneously. The following four graphs show the total available bandwidth and the average response time while being subject to different types of workloads through IOMeter. IOMeter also reports various other metrics of interest such as maximum response time, read and write IOPS, separate read and write bandwidth figures etc. Selected metrics from the evaluation of the ioSafe N2 are available here.
Some of the data points for the average response time are beyond the plotted range in the graphs below. This is done on purpose to keep the scales consistent across evaluation of different NAS units. The 'missing' numbers can be seen in the evaluation summary. In any case, the metrics show that the ioSafe N2 / Synology DS213 provides very good performance for scenarios involving around 10 to 12 simultaneous clients. Beyond that, NAS units with dual network interfaces and more powerful processors are required.
A better point of comparison is the Synology DS211+ which we tested in the initial testbed build process. The scales are different (which is why we decided not to link the plots directly here), but the performance in terms of number of simultaneous clients remains approximately the same.
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Bobs_Your_Uncle - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
I done my durndest, but from nowhere within the article was I able to ferret out a reference price for this Beautiful Beast.ganeshts - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
Diskless is $599 ; Sorry for the oversightwchpitt - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
Wow! So $400 of sheet metal wrapped around a $200 NAS. I believe, I would use the extra $400 to buy a second NAS and drives and then use a second physical location with HSI and sync the two (e.g. office to house with RSync)ssj3gohan - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
I want to see its USPs addressed! Fireproofness, waterproofness, resistance to electrical problems and theft. And honestly, if any problems are worth addressing it's those last two.robb.moore - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
Hi ssj3gohan -The N2 can be used with just about any commercially available UPS. Many of the more popular brands can be used with the USB port on the N2 to intelligently shut it down if power failure is imminent.
Human error ranks as the highest reason for data loss so don't forget that on your list :)
But all issues are worth addressing as they're all reasons for protecting data. Check out the post from me above to Penti regarding the floor mount kit or redundant N2's on the LAN.
Robb Moore
CEO
ioSafe
ShieTar - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
But photos are not really constantly updated. Regular backups with an external harddrive, which you keep at your workplace or some other remote place are a much cheaper solution to your scenario.otherwise - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
I'm very disappointing that a review of a component that claims to be fireproof didn't involve fire. I'd love to see someone test that claim.BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
That could be a good excuse for Anandtech's staff to play with fire. BrokenCrayons encourage this manner of testing.tygrus - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
The ioSafe is still just a part of your backup and disaster recovery plans. It's a key element for some but not to be used as the sole storage device on the network. Designed for small business and paranoid home users. Not designed for everyday use nor as the primary location of files. Store them on another server and backup regularly to the ioSafe.random2 - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I'd be interested in learning more about the WD drives in the Compatibility List that didn't meet temp requirements, the very same model 2,3 and 4TB drives Ganesh is using to test the device."*Note: Drive will not operate in normal working environments above 30°C (86°F)."
30 degrees Celsius? Holy Doodle Batman! These are supposed to be enterprise drives? What am I missing?