Test Methodology
Network Storage Configurations |
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Synology DS414j |
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| CPU | 1.30GHz Marvell Armada CP (dual-core) |
2.13GHz Intel Atom D2700 (dual-core, 1MB cache) |
1.2GHz Mindspeed Comcerto C2200 (dual-core) |
1.86GHz Intel Atom D2550 (dual-core, 1MB cache) |
| Memory | 512MB DDR3 |
1GB DDR3 |
512MB DDR3 |
2GB DDR3 |
| Disk drives | 4x 1TB Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 (included) |
4x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ (optional) |
4x 4TB WD Red WD40EFRX (optional) |
5x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ (optional) |
| RAID mode | RAID 5 |
RAID 5 |
RAID 5 |
RAID 5 |
| Network connection | Gigabit Ethernet |
Gigabit Ethernet |
Gigabit Ethernet |
Gigabit Ethernet |
| Firmware | 3.3.4.29856 |
3.6.0 Build 0220T |
5.0-4482 |
2.03.08 |
Benchmarks |
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| File Copy Test (8.83GB) Intel NAS Performance Toolkit v1.7.1 Power Consumption |
Notes
All of our comparison NAS servers are tested using a single Gigabit Ethernet link with Jumbo frames disabled, and are connected to our Intel client machine and network via a Netgear GS108 switch.
Taking a look at a basic usage scenario, our file copy test involves moving a mixed assortment of files totalling 8.83GB in size from our client to the NAS. The result is recorded in MB/s.
Our second benchmark - the NAS Performance Toolkit, developed by Intel - is a file-system exerciser specifically designed to provide performance comparisons between NAS devices. Intel's utility focuses on user-level performance using real-world workload traces gathered from typical digital home applications such as HD video playback and record. Intel NASPT reproduces the file-system traffic observed in various traces onto a chosen storage device and records performance in MB/s.
Last but not least, we measure NAS power draw during three states; under load, idle and standby mode if applicable.
Readers should note that our usual hard drives - 1TB Samsung HD103SJs - have bitten the dust. 4TB WD Red hard drives (model WD40EFRX) have been introduced as a replacement and these drives will be used in all future NAS reviews. The following results should therefore not be used as a direct comparison, but rather as a guideline of the performance available from the Synology unit. Looking ahead, we will be revamping our NAS benchmark suite in the coming weeks, so please do get in touch and let us know if you'd like to see any tests in particular.
