Official support for third-party drives returns to Synology, opening up new possibilities for storage enthusiasts
If you’re into network-attached storage (NAS) and use Synology devices, you’ll be happy to hear about some positive news regarding third-party drives. Synology has officially announced that it will support third-party drives again in the near future. This is a welcome change for many who prefer using drives from different manufacturers rather than being restricted to Synology-branded or approved lists.
What Are Third-Party Drives?
Third-party drives refer to hard drives and SSDs made by manufacturers other than the original NAS manufacturer—in this case, manufacturers other than Synology. Many NAS users have relied on drives from companies like Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, and others for their reliability and performance. However, support and compatibility have sometimes been an issue because Synology typically promoted using drives from their official compatibility list.
Why Is This Change a Big Deal?
Supporting third-party drives means more flexibility for NAS owners. You can pick drives based on price, performance, and availability rather than sticking to a specific approved brand.
For example, if you’re on a budget, you might find better deals on third-party drives or prefer a particular brand’s features. Also, third-party drives often come with broader options for size and speed, which helps tailor your setup exactly how you want.
What Users Can Expect
While Synology hasn’t been very explicit about the details yet, the official move to support third-party drives suggests that future firmware and software updates will improve compatibility and reliability when using these drives. This means fewer warnings, better system monitoring, and maybe even optimized performance for your preferred drives.
For those concerned about drive health and NAS stability, this is reassuring news as it indicates Synology is listening to its user base and addressing one of their common frustrations.
Important Considerations Before You Upgrade
Remember, not all drives are created equal. Even if Synology supports third-party drives officially, it’s smart to do your research about the drive’s endurance, error rates, and compatibility with NAS environments.
If you want to dig deeper, sites such as Synology’s official compatibility list and Backblaze’s hard drive reliability reports are excellent resources.
Final Thoughts
Welcoming third-party drives back into official Synology support means more choices and potentially better customization for NAS users. Whether you’re upgrading an existing setup or starting fresh, it’s good to know you won’t be limited by brand when selecting your drives.
It’s always refreshing when a company takes feedback seriously and makes changes that enhance user freedom and overall experience. So, if you’ve been holding back on expanding your Synology storage because of drive restrictions, now might be the perfect time to consider your options.
For more on NAS, check out trusted tech guides like Tom’s Hardware NAS section and keep an eye on official Synology announcements for updates.
Happy storage hunting!