Synology 4-Bay Rackmount NAS RackStation RS422+ (Diskless),Black
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AI Verdict
This is a 4-bay rackmount NAS with a compact 327.5 mm depth and 601/516 MB/s sequential read/write, designed for small businesses or home labs needing basic data storage and backup.
This 4-bay rackmount NAS is a strong fit for basic data management, backup, and surveillance due to its compact size and decent sequential throughput. However, its non-expandable 2GB RAM and lack of M.2 SSD slots make it a situational fit for users with more advanced needs like extensive virtualization or heavy Plex transcoding.
If you need more RAM, M.2 SSD caching, or external expansion capabilities, look for Synology models with 'xs+' in their name or those that explicitly state RAM upgradeability and M.2 slots.
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Pros
- Achieves over 601/516 MB/s sequential read/write throughput for stable data transfers.
- Features a space-saving 1U chassis with a depth of just 327.5 mm, fitting into shallow racks.
- Includes dual 1GbE ports that support network failover and load balancing.
- Offers a plug-and-play network upgrade module for adding 10GbE RJ-45 ports.
- Powered by an AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU and includes DDR4 ECC memory for data integrity.
- Comes with robust metal drive bays and includes screws for disk installation.
Cons
- The 2GB DDR4 ECC memory is embedded on the motherboard and is not expandable, limiting virtualization and Docker container usage.
- Lacks M.2 SSD slots for caching, which can impact performance for demanding I/O operations.
- Does not include eSATA ports, preventing the addition of Synology's external 4-bay disk shelves for capacity expansion.
- The 1U rackmount form factor, despite a stated 28.5 dB(A) noise level, can be noticeably loud in a home office environment due to small, fast-spinning fans.
- Not suitable for heavy Plex transcoding due to the CPU's lack of a dedicated transcoding engine.
Dimension Scores
The sequential read/write throughput of over 601/516 MB/s is strong for 1GbE, with an upgrade path to 10GbE available via an add-on module.
Includes DDR4 ECC memory, which helps detect and correct data corruption, contributing to higher data integrity and system stability.
Offers 4 drive bays for mechanical hard disks, which is standard for a compact 1U unit, but lacks external expansion options like eSATA.
Supports standard SATA mechanical hard drives but notably lacks M.2 SSD slots for caching and does not support external expansion units.
Best For
- Small businesses requiring an affordable, compact rackmount solution for data sharing and backup.
- Home lab owners with existing rack infrastructure needing a dedicated storage and backup appliance.
- Surveillance Station deployments, supporting up to 40 IP cameras with 2 free licenses.
- Website backup and data synchronization tasks using Synology's Hyper Backup and Hyper Backup Vault.
Not Recommended For
- Users needing to run multiple Docker containers or virtual machines due to the non-expandable 2GB RAM.
- Home users sensitive to noise, as the 1U chassis fans can be audible even in 'quiet mode'.
- Plex users who require hardware transcoding for multiple simultaneous streams.
- Those who anticipate needing to expand storage beyond 4 internal drives via external expansion units.
Watch Out For
- The 2GB of embedded DDR4 ECC memory cannot be upgraded, which significantly limits the number of Docker containers or virtual machines you can run effectively.
- There are no M.2 SSD slots for NVMe caching, meaning you can't accelerate frequently accessed data with faster storage.
- Despite Synology's stated noise level of 28.5 dB(A), users report that the 1U rackmount's small fans can be noticeably loud in a quiet room, especially with HDDs.
- You can't add Synology's external 4-bay disk shelves (like the RX418) because this model lacks eSATA ports, restricting future capacity expansion to the four internal bays.
- RJ45 Ethernet cables are not included in the package, requiring a separate purchase.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0B1D5BL5C |
| Size | RS422+ |
| Brand | Synology |
| Color | Black |
| Series | RS422+ |
| Material | Metal |
| Hard Drive | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 13.28 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Synology |
| Item model number | RS422+ |
| Product Dimensions | 21 x 15.75 x 5.45 inches |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 21 x 15.75 x 5.45 inches |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
What Buyers Say
Users frequently point out the RS422+'s compact 1U chassis as a major advantage for fitting into shallow racks, but the non-upgradable 2GB RAM is a recurring point of contention, limiting its use for more advanced applications like virtualization. While the 10GbE upgrade option is appreciated, the absence of M.2 SSD slots for caching is a missed opportunity for performance. The noise level, typical for 1U rackmounts, is also a common discussion point for home users.
“Man, I really needed a rackmount NAS that wasn't super deep for my small cabinet, and this fits perfectly. But seriously, 2GB RAM and no M.2 slots? It's 2024, Synology, come on! It works for backups, but forget running anything heavy.”
Common Praise
- The compact 1U chassis with a 327.5 mm depth fits well into smaller server racks and wall boxes.
- The inclusion of an AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU provides decent processing power for its class.
- The option to add a 10GbE RJ-45 port via a plug-and-play module is a significant performance boost.
- Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system is highly regarded for its features and ease of use.
- The metal drive trays are robust and well-designed, and screws for installation are included.
- ECC memory is a plus for data integrity, especially in a business or critical home lab setting.
Common Complaints
- The 2GB of RAM is not expandable, which severely limits the number of Docker containers or virtual machines that can be run.
- There are no M.2 SSD slots for NVMe caching, which some users expect for performance acceleration.
- The 1U form factor means the fans can be loud, making it less suitable for placement in a quiet home office.
- Lack of eSATA ports means no external expansion units can be added to increase storage capacity beyond the four internal bays.
- Not suitable for heavy Plex media transcoding due to the CPU's lack of a dedicated transcoding engine.
Ownership Tips
- The actual noise level can be more noticeable than the stated 28.5 dB(A) when populated with HDDs and under load, especially in a quiet room.
- While 10GbE is an option, the lack of M.2 SSD caching means you might not fully saturate the 10GbE connection with random I/O from mechanical drives.
- The 2GB RAM limitation becomes apparent quickly if you try to run more than basic Synology packages or a couple of lightweight Docker containers.
- The compact depth is genuinely useful for non-standard or shallow rack setups, a key differentiator from larger units.
- The DSM operating system is a lifesaver for setup and management, even for less experienced users, making the initial configuration straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the RAM in the RS422+?
No, the 2GB DDR4 ECC memory in the RS422+ is embedded on the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. This is a fixed configuration.
Is the RS422+ suitable for a Plex server?
It can function as a Plex server for direct play, but it's not ideal for transcoding multiple streams due to the CPU lacking a dedicated hardware transcoding engine.
How loud is the RS422+?
Synology states a noise level of 28.5 dB(A). However, users report that 1U rackmounts, including this one, can be noticeably loud in quiet environments due to the small, fast-spinning fans required for cooling.
Does the RS422+ support 10GbE?
Yes, it supports 10GbE, but it requires purchasing and installing a separate plug-and-play network upgrade module, like Synology's E10G22-T1-Mini card, into a proprietary PCI-E slot.
Can I add more storage bays to the RS422+ externally?
No, this model does not have eSATA ports, so you cannot connect Synology's external 4-bay disk shelves for additional storage capacity.
What kind of drives does it support?
The RS422+ supports mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) with a Serial ATA interface. It does not have M.2 SSD slots.
Buying Guide
When looking at a rackmount NAS like this, you're buying a dedicated network storage server that fits into a standard server rack. The '1U' means it takes up one unit of vertical space. Chassis depth is crucial if you have a shallow rack, as many rackmounts are much deeper. The number of bays tells you how many hard drives you can install, directly impacting your raw storage capacity.
Capacity: Mechanical Hard Disk
This means you'll be using traditional spinning hard drives for storage. They offer large capacities at a lower cost per terabyte compared to SSDs, but are slower. If you need speed, you'll rely on the network connection and potentially SSD caching (which this model lacks).
Over 601/516 MB/s sequential read/write throughput
This number tells you how fast the NAS can transfer large files in a continuous stream. For backing up big video files or large datasets, higher sequential speeds mean less waiting. This speed is typical for a 1 Gigabit Ethernet connection, which is standard.
Dual 1GbE ports and 10GbE upgrade modules
1GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) is your standard home or small office network speed. Dual ports allow for 'failover' (if one port fails, the other takes over) or 'load balancing' (combining their speeds for more bandwidth). The 10GbE upgrade is a big deal for much faster transfers, essential if you're moving huge files or have multiple users accessing the NAS simultaneously, but it's an extra cost and requires a 10GbE network switch.
Alternatives
If this model doesn't fit, look for NAS units with more than 2GB of expandable RAM for virtualization, M.2 NVMe SSD slots for caching, or models with eSATA ports if you need to connect external expansion units for more drive bays.
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