Synology, maker of network-attached storage (NAS) gadgets, will seemingly take away superior options from its Plus gadgets that aren’t utilizing laborious drives offered by, or licensed by, Synology itself, beginning with its 2025 lineup.
A report on the German site HardwareLuxx (translated by Google) and a press release on Synology’s German-language web site seem to verify Synology’s technique. The corporate, which sees “important advantages” to its “proprietary laborious drive answer” (additionally per Google’s translation), might be “increasing [its] built-in ecosystem to the Plus collection.” For these Plus series models launched in 2025, solely Synology’s personal laborious drives, and third-party drives licensed by Synology, will provide “the complete vary of capabilities and help.” Synology’s launch states that it could actually present the “highest ranges of safety and efficiency, whereas additionally providing considerably extra environment friendly help.”
Ars has contacted Synology’s US workplaces for remark and can replace this publish with any response.
There’s some likelihood that this transfer might be restricted to Germany or simply the EU. Sustaining region-specific firmware is feasible, if not environment friendly. Synology has beforehand rolled out its licensed drive necessities for higher-end machines globally.
If you have already got Plus-level or greater Synology {hardware}, this potential incoming change will not impression you, not less than till your subsequent improve. You too can take present drives from a Synology setup and transfer them right into a 2025 or newer Plus mannequin and proceed having full help. Synology had already applied this requirement for its XS Plus and rack-mounted fashions, notionally obliging these house owners to make use of Synology-approved drives.
What you may lose from utilizing non-Synology-approved laborious drives may embody pool creation and help for any points. De-duplication, lifespan evaluation, and computerized HDD firmware updates may additionally disappear on non-approved drives, Synology’s press launch suggests.