User Interface

When I did the review of the DS409slim last year, DSM (DiskStation Manager) 2.2 was in beta. Since then they launched DSM 2.3, and a few weeks ago they launched DSM 3.0 beta. Within a year the whole web user interface was completely revamped, including a handful of new features and some upgrades to their mainstay applications.

The next two pages will cover the new features found in DSM 2.3 and DSM 3.0, respectively. If you'd like to skip this and get right in to the details on the DS411+, please skip to page four.

New Features Introduced in DSM 2.3

New Volume Manager:

» The Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) simplifies the RAID setup, allowing the DiskStation to maximize the    available storage of varying disk capacities yet with data protection. Experienced administrators
   may still use a manual option of creating a storage volume.
» RAID10, 3-way RAID 1 and 4-way RAID 1 volume types are supported.
» Block-based iSCSI target is supported and providing faster performance of file transfer.
» The Volume Manager User Interface has been updated with additional graphics and illustrations.
» RAID 5 to RAID 6 migration is supported.

EZ-Internet:

The EZ-Internet Wizard is now available for guiding through the steps to establish access to DiskStation from the Internet, including firewall settings, PPPoE setup, DDNS registration, and router port forwarding configuration*. The "Router Configuration" feature is also available on the management UI under "Internet Connection" category, which accomplishes the port forwarding tasks on the router for you. View the supported router list here.

Shared Folder Encryption:

AES 256-bit shared folder encryption is supported with the DiskStation. The encrypted shared folder cannot be accessed until it is mounted by entering the encryption key.

Backup Enhancements:

» In addition to the existing "shared folder" level backup, "sub folder" level backup is now supported.
» NetBackup shared folder is supported to act as the backup source. This allows backing up the data
   sets from DiskStation A to DiskStation B, and from DiskStation B to DiskStation C, and so on.
» Amazon S3 is now supported as a backup target.
» The Backup Wizard now allows backing up Surveillance Station event recordings with all
   the settings, including notifications, privileges and licenses.

File Station 3:

» Local file browsing is supported (Java Runtime Environment is required) for easy browse
   and upload the local folders or files to DiskStation with drag-n-drop actions.
» Multiple tasks are now supported. Upload tasks are performed in the background and with
   the upload queue listed at the bottom of the File Station.
» Files and folders on the DiskStation can be compressed directly from the File Station.
» .7z and .iso compressed files extraction is supported.

Photo Station 4:

» Browsing photos with a photo wall or an image flow view is now supported.
» Adjusting photo thumbnail size with a sliding bar when browsing photos is now supported.
» Uploading photos and creating sub-folders through Photo Station UI is supported
   (Flash 9 is required).
» Enhanced privilege control allows customizing which albums each user accounts can access
   or upload photos.
   » Virtual albums are now supported, including albums of recent photos or videos.
   » Google map function is integrated, allowing browsing the location where the photo is taken if
      the geo-information is available in the photo, or manually edit the Google map location.
   » Enhanced album access permission allows easily setting the public/private attribute of all albums.
   » 1024X768 blog layout is supported and 10 new banners are newly provided.
   » Photo Uploader utility is available in the new Synology Assistant to allow uploading photos
      and videos to the DiskStation which photo thumbnails and H.264 films pre-generated with
      the client computer.
   » RAW image files are supported including *.arw, *.srf, *.sr2, *.dcr, *.k25, *.kdc, *.cr2,
      *.crw, *.nef, .mrw, *.ptx, *.pef, *.raf, *.3fr, *.erf, *.mef, *.mos, *.orf, *.rw2, *.dng and *.x3f.

Audio Station 2:

» Audio Station 2 now also utilizes AJAX technology. It allows browsing the music library by folder,
   album, artist or genre, browsing the albums in thumbnail view or cover flow view,
   and managing the playlist and the now-playing queue with right-clicks.
   » M4A music is now supported in streaming mode.
   » Streaming music from other UPnP/DLNA media servers within LAN is supported.
   » Internet radio (MP3 only) is now supported in streaming mode.
   » SHOUTcast and RadioIO Internet Radio are supported with automatic updates.
   » iTunes Server Smart Playlist is supported to be played on Audio Station.
   » In addition to USB mode and web-streaming mode, Audio Station 2 now supports streaming
      music, stored on DiskStation or other UPnP/DLNA media servers, to an UPnP compatible digital
      media renderer (DMR). View the supported DMR list here. Streaming music simultaneously
      in the 3 modes is allowed.