Creating a smooth digital setup at home is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re a media buff who demands flawless 4K streaming, a family wanting simple setup and management, or a smart home enthusiast aiming to link multiple devices securely, it’s important to have the right equipment.
We recently reached out to one of the more prominent names in this space, Synology, to see what it might recommend for home and small office needs. The brand was gracious enough to send along its DS923+ NAS and RT6600ax router for consideration. Having installed and used the pair for a few weeks, we’ve since found to be a an excellent mix of performance and simplicity. Together, these gadgets turn your home into a smart entertainment center with strong networking capabilities and easy-to-use interfaces.
Read on to learn more about each of the products and how they might fit into your home. Among the previously mentioned use cases, the Synology products are also a good option for other needs, including archiving data and old photos and other media, working with large video and audio files for content creation, and creating a secure network.
Meet the DS923+
Imagine your family has a huge collection of photos, home videos, and all those holiday memories scattered across different devices—phones, tablets, maybe even some old USB drives. Keeping everything organized and accessible can feel like trying to herd cats, right?
That’s where the Synology DS923+ comes in. Think of it, among other things, as a super-smart digital family photo album that sits right in your home. It’s like having your own personal library where all your important files, movies, and pictures are stored safely in one place.
Ripped a bunch of your old DVD’s or somehow found yourself with a bunch of things that may or may not be from the digital high seas? Keep reading.
Here’s how it works:
- Super Organized Storage: Just like a bookshelf organizes your books, the DS923+ neatly stores all your digital stuff. You can easily add more “shelves” (storage space) as your collection grows, so you never run out of room.
- Easy Access for Everyone: Whether someone’s on their phone watching a family video or you’re on the computer sharing pictures with cousins far away, everything is just a click away.
- Safe and Sound: Think of it as a vault for your digital treasures. It automatically backs up your files, so even if something happens to one device, your memories are still safe and sound.
- Smooth Streaming: If your family loves movie nights, the DS923+ makes sure everyone can watch their favorite films in stunning quality without any annoying pauses or glitches.
- User-Friendly: You don’t need to be a tech wizard to use it. Setting it up is straightforward, and managing your files is as simple.
In a nutshell, the Synology DS923+ is like having a reliable, organized, and easy-to-use digital hub for all your family’s important stuff. It keeps everything in one place, makes sharing and accessing files a breeze, and ensures your memories are protected for years to come. Perfect for keeping the whole family connected and your digital life running smoothly!
Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen processor and up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, the DS923+ ensures speedy data transfers and smooth 4K media streaming. Its expandable storage, featuring four bays and the option to add more expansion units, gives you plenty of space for all your movies, music, and photos. Plus, no more fighting over who gets to stream the latest blockbuster first!
Key Features:
- Powerful Hardware: AMD Ryzen quad-core CPU and up to 32GB DDR4 memory for top-tier performance.
- Scalable Storage: Four drive bays with the option to expand, perfect for your growing media collection.
- 4K Streaming: Supports Plex Media Server and other streaming apps for uninterrupted high-definition viewing.
- Advanced Data Protection: Btrfs file system with snapshots and comprehensive backup solutions keep your media safe.
User-Friendly Design for Effortless Setup
Synology gets that not everyone speaks “tech.” That’s why the DS923+ and RT6600ax are designed with simplicity in mind. Sure, they’re full of incredible features and customization, and the deeper you dig, the more you find, but doesn’t have to be the case. You can use these “casually”, too.
The intuitive DiskStation Manager (DSM) interface lets you set up and manage your NAS with minimal effort. Whether you’re backing up family photos, sharing files, or setting up automated tasks, DSM makes complex processes straightforward and accessible. It’s like having a tech-savvy friend who actually explains things clearly.
Key Features:
- Intuitive Interface: DSM offers a user-friendly dashboard for easy navigation and management.
- One-Touch Setup: Quick and straightforward installation processes get you up and running fast.
- Comprehensive Support: Extensive online resources, tutorials, and responsive customer support are there to help whenever you need.
Even if you’re not a tech wizard, the DS923+ and RT6600ax are remarkably easy to install and manage, removing the usual headaches associated with powerful networking and storage solutions. This means everyone in the family can enjoy the benefits without needing a degree in computer science.
Meet the RT6600ax Router
Having an awesome file management system is great, but it’s practically useless without a quality network. That’s where the router comes into play. In this case, of course, we’re looking at the RT6600ax.
Imagine your home is like a bustling city, and the internet is the traffic that keeps everything running smoothly. Now, think of the Synology RT6600ax router as the super-efficient traffic controller that ensures everything moves seamlessly without any jams.
Here’s how it works:
- Lightning-Fast Internet: Just like having a wide, well-maintained highway, the RT6600ax provides ultra-fast internet speeds. Whether you’re streaming your favorite shows, playing online games, or video chatting with family, everything runs smoothly without annoying slowdowns.
- Handles Multiple Devices with Ease: In today’s homes, there are tons of gadgets—smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, maybe even a few smart home devices like lights or thermostats. This router can handle all of them at once without breaking a sweat.
- Easy Setup: You don’t need to be a tech expert to get this router up and running. It’s designed to be user-friendly, so setting it up is as simple as following a few easy steps.
- Secure and Safe: Just like a good neighborhood has security to keep things safe, the RT6600ax has built-in security features to protect your home network from unwanted visitors. It keeps your personal information secure, so you can browse, shop, and communicate with peace of mind.
- Smart Home Friendly: If you have smart devices around the house, this router makes sure they all work together smoothly. It can prioritize important tasks, like making sure your video calls don’t get interrupted while someone else is streaming a movie.
- Parental Controls: If you have kids, you might appreciate the parental controls. It allows you to manage and monitor what your children access online, ensuring they have a safe and appropriate internet experience.
- Reliable Connection Everywhere: No more dead zones where the Wi-Fi just doesn’t reach. This router ensures a strong and consistent connection throughout your entire home, whether you’re upstairs, downstairs, or even in the backyard.
The Synology RT6600ax router is like the ultimate traffic controller for your home’s internet. It keeps everything running smoothly, ensures all your devices stay connected without hiccups, and keeps your digital life safe and secure—all without requiring you to be a tech whiz. It’s a great investment for making sure your home stays connected and operates seamlessly, no matter how many devices you have or what you’re doing online.
The Synology RT6600ax router is built to deliver strong network performance and integrate seamlessly with your smart home devices. Featuring Wi-Fi 6 (AX) technology, it offers ultra-fast and reliable internet connectivity, supporting multiple devices without slowing down. Advanced features like parental controls, VPN support, and comprehensive security protocols keep your smart home secure and well-managed. It’s like the superhero of your home network, minus the cape.
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi 6 Technology: Enhanced speed and capacity to handle numerous connected devices at once.
- Advanced Security: Built-in security features protect your network from external threats.
- Smart Home Management: Easily manage and prioritize smart devices, ensuring critical applications run smoothly.
- Parental Controls: Monitor and control internet access for family members, creating a safe online environment.
Smart home enthusiasts will appreciate the RT6600ax for its ability to manage and secure numerous smart devices effortlessly. Paired with the DS923+, it means that your entire home network is optimized for both entertainment and smart home automation, creating a cohesive and efficient digital ecosystem. Magical, right?
Ecosystem Synergy: Seamless Integration of NAS and Router
As you’d expect, the two of these products are designed to work well with each other. And that, they certainly do. Pairing the DS923+ NAS with the RT6600ax router creates a unified network solution that maximizes performance and ease of use. The router’s solid connectivity complements the NAS’s powerful storage capabilities, allowing for smooth file sharing, remote access, and media streaming across all your devices.
Synergistic Benefits:
- Unified Management: Control both storage and network settings from a single Synology interface.
- Enhanced Performance: Optimize data flow and network traffic for smoother streaming and faster access to stored media.
- Comprehensive Security: Protect your entire digital environment with integrated security features from both devices.
Content Creators Everywhere You Look
Look around and you’ll see content creators and aspiring vloggers pretty much everywhere you turn. If that’s something you’re into now, or are considering, the DS923+ is worth investing in. It’s a few years old now, but there’s a reason it’s still readily available.
As a content creator, managing large files and collaborating seamlessly are essential for workflow. The Synology DS923+ NAS offers expansive and scalable storage, allowing one to organize high-resolution videos, RAW photos, and audio recordings in one centralized location. With four drive bays that can be easily expanded, you should never run out of space, ensuring that a growing library is always neatly organized and easily accessible.
Performance is key when editing and streaming content. Powered by a quad-core AMD Ryzen processor and up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, the DS923+ delivers lightning-fast data transfers and smooth 4K media streaming. This means you can edit your projects directly from the NAS without frustrating delays and stream your work to clients or audiences effortlessly. Automated backups and robust data protection features, including the Btrfs file system and version control, safeguard your valuable work against accidental loss or hardware failures.
Collaboration becomes a breeze with the DS923+. Share specific folders or projects with your team members and utilize Synology Drive for real-time collaboration on documents and presentations. Additionally, media streaming capabilities allow you to showcase your work professionally, whether you’re presenting to clients or sharing with a global audience. Integrated creative tools like Photo Station, Video Station, and Synology Moments enhance your workflow, making it easier to organize, showcase, and manage your creative assets.
Investing in the Synology DS923+ is not just about storage—it’s about enhancing your entire creative process. By reducing reliance on costly cloud services and providing a secure, private workspace, the DS923+ offers long-term value and reliability. It’s a cost-effective solution that supports your creativity, allowing you to focus on producing amazing content without worrying about technical limitations. Elevate your content creation journey with the Synology DS923+ and experience a streamlined, efficient, and secure workflow.
Conclusion
With the Synology DS923+ NAS and RT6600ax router, turning your home into a smart entertainment hub is a breeze. Enjoy high-quality 4K streaming, easy setup, and comprehensive smart home integration—all backed by Synology’s commitment to reliability and user satisfaction. Whether you’re a media enthusiast, a family seeking simplicity, or a smart home lover, Synology’s all-in-one solution takes your digital lifestyle to the next level.
Check out how Synology can boost your home’s connectivity and entertainment by exploring the DS923+ and RT6600ax today. Visit Synology’s website for more information and to experience the seamless integration firsthand.
