Most know that backing up computer data is important, but how many do it? It’s not until disaster strikes and a phone or a PC is lost, causing you to lose a lifetime of photos or important documents that we reevaluate our need to back up data.
One potential solution is the Synology DiskStation DS925+, a network-attached storage (NAS) that lets you back up multiple devices in a central location.
Table of contents
- Why use a NAS?
- Features
- Specifications and price
- Using the DiskStation DS925+
- Who is the Synology DiskStation DS925+ NAS for?
Why use a NAS?
Disaster can strike at any time and can come in many forms. You could lose your data from:
- Theft
- Fire
- Equipment failure (e.g. hard drive failure)
- Data corruption
- Malware or ransomware
- Accidental deletion
In theory, if you have a copy, especially at an offsite location, you can use it to restore any lost data.
Your data backup options include:
- USB (thumb) drives: a plug-in, low-cost, highly portable device.
- External Hard drives: a plug-in, larger capacity hard drive.
- Shared or NAS storage (shared storage): on-site network attached storage for local copies across multiple devices.
- Cloud Storage: subscription-based storage with backup and security (requires an internet connection).
Synology DiskStation DS925+ features
The Synology DiskStation DS925+ is a configurable storage platform for home offices and small businesses. It is a small computer designed to work without a keyboard, mouse, and screen for a specific purpose.
The purpose is to share data on a network so multiple users can access it. The shared data on this device can be used in some ways, with the primary functions being a shared drive and a place to back up data. You can also consider this a private cloud, where all the data stays on your premises, so you have total control and security. No data is in the public domain.
The DiskStation comes with a complete package of software that allows you to:
- Automate backups of connected PC/Macs
- Store, share, and find photos on a media organisation hub
- Share drive including secure remote access
- Collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentation slides in real time
- Private video surveillance in the form of a Network Video Recorder
- Store your music collection
- Media server to stream video and music to your TV or stereo
- Shared Calendar
- Email server
- Web server
- Private group chats
- Backup Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
The DS925+ comes with four hard drive bays but no installed drives. You decide how many drives you want and what capacity. A five-bay DX525 expansion unit allows up to nine drives at 20TB each, giving you a massive 180TB total storage. Drives will be configured for redundancy so that you will need a minimum of two drives at 4TB. Redundancy means one of your drives could fail, and you will not lose your data. The enclosure supports installing 3.5” SATA HDD or 2.5” SATA SSD drives.
Synology raised a few eyebrows when it announced that the officially compatible storage drives for its 2025 NAS models would primarily be its own branded drives. Keep that in mind if you have existing drives from other brands, as they may not work as intended with the DiskStation DS925+. You can also check the current list of verified storage drives on Synology’s website.
Two M.2 NVMe slots allow you to install solid-state drives (no spinning disks) into the enclosure, which will cache data to speed up the transfer of data. This option would only be used for very serious users who are driving their NAS hard. Connectivity is via two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, which can be configured for redundancy, providing fast network transfer speeds.
Powering the NAS is an AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core CPU with 4GB of included memory expandable up to 32GB.
Synology DS925+ specifications and price
| CPU and memory | AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core CPU with 4GB of included memory, expandable to 32 GB |
| Storage | 4 bays supporting up to 20TB each |
| Dimensions | 17 x 20 x 22 cm |
| Networking technology | 2 x 2.5-gigabit Ethernet ports |
| Price (RRP) | From $1,100 |
| Official website | Synology |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Using the DiskStation DS925+
Setting up a NAS is not as simple as turning on a new PC. The first step is to install your hard drives into the hard drive caddies. The 4.5-inch drives click in, so don’t stress.
Next, connect the NAS to power and your network, and power it on. The setup and any future interaction with the NAS will be via a browser or an app on your smartphone. Once you start the software installation, you must load an OS because the installed hard drives are blank. This painless process includes deciding the type of redundancy or RAID you want.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is a method of improving performance and ensuring that you will not lose any data if one of your disks in the NAS fails. If a disk does fail, you remove it, insert a new blank drive, and it will automatically rebuild itself. I recommend you select Synology’s own SHR variant of RAID for simplicity.
The next step is to install software applications and customise your NAS, similar to setting up a new PC. Once you log into the NAS via a PC browser connected to the same network, you will have a home screen within your browser window. On that screen, you will see a Control Panel icon and a Package Center icon.
The Control Center allows you to change settings on your NAS regarding file sharing, connectivity, and system settings, such as power settings. For example, you can set your drives to hibernate if not used for 10 minutes, saving power.
File sharing is activated by default, and your PC’s file explorer will see the NAS on your network and allow you to treat it as a new file store. You can download the Synology Drive Client to your PC, Mac, iPhone, or Android phone.
The Package Center is where all the magic happens, including the downloading of Synology’s or third-party apps. I use Active Backup for Business, Synology Photos, Hyper Backup, and Antivirus Essential in my setup.
Active Backup lets you download a Windows-based app on your attached PC, which you can use to set up a backup regime. Photos lets you store, catalogue, and search all your photos. I have around 50,000 photos stored on my NAS. A smartphone app also helps with the transfer of files to your NAS and viewing your library. Hyper Backup allows me to backup the NAS to another drive, so I have an additional copy of my data, which I store in a fireproof box. The Antivirus is self-explanatory.
There are many other apps. I suggest you do your research to see if these apps will add value to you based on your needs. If you are technical, you will love the power of possibilities.
For reference, this is my second Synology NAS. I followed the instructions to migrate to this new NAS by taking my old hard drives out of my old NAS and inserting them in the new one, which extensively sped up the migration process.
Did I need to upgrade? This new box is significantly faster on all fronts, but do I notice the difference? Not really, as the backups, etc, all happen in the background, so I don’t notice the difference.
Who is the Synology DiskStation DS925+ NAS for?
A NAS is for people who want total control over their data and do not want to store data in a public cloud or pay monthly fees. Suppose you have lots of data to back up, including many photos, and the economics of having your reliable storage stack up. A NAS provides a systemic solution with redundancy versus a drawer full of unorganised external hard drives.
Once set up, the Synology DiskStation DS925+ NAS does its thing and requires little maintenance. You have peace of mind that your PC data and photos are safely stored on your own premises.
The post Synology DiskStation DS925+ review: Centralised home backup appeared first on GadgetGuy.
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