DiskStation DS214SE

If you’re serious about storing data safely off your personal computer a network attached storage device may be in order.

Synology’s newest DiskStation, the DS214SE, is designed as a primary data storage solution, or a backup solution, depending on how it is configured. But it is not to be confused with a mere external hard disk drive.

Its capacity depends on what hard disk drive you install. It can run with either one hard disk drive installed, or two, but data is not quite so safe with one disk installed.

Disks have a life and often fail with no warning. When two identical make and model disks are installed the data on the first is automatically copied to the second. This way when one fails you will always have a backup.

A pair of identical Western Digital Red drives are highly recommended because they are designed to always be on. But the DS214SE also supports the physically smaller solid state disk drives.

The DS214SE needs power to run so connects to the mains. Data is shared with your computer via a RJ-45 local area network cable, which plugs into your router. Data can be copied via the DS214SE’s operating system, its own Data Replicator software, SyncToy, or Windows itself.

The DS214SE’s operating system is downloaded from Synology’s website so updates are frequent and easy to install. It is operated from a web browser via its IP, or internet protocol, address which is a series of numbers assigned to it.

It can also be set up so that you can access its contents from any internet connected machine. It’s fairly easy to set up for someone of moderate to expert level, but a novice might find the set-up time consuming and complicated.