Synology 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS Review: Specs, Pros and Cons

What stands out

• Sequential read speeds exceed 2,000 MB/s
• Four built-in 1GbE RJ-45 network ports
• Expandable to eight bays via RX426
• PCIe 3.0 slot for NIC or SSD cards
• Automated storage tiering for data optimization

Who it fits

Key specs explained for RS826+

Drive Bays: 4-Bay

This NAS has four slots for installing hard drives. You can mix and match drive sizes to build your own storage capacity. This form factor suits small offices that need moderate space without the bulk of larger units. You can scale up later by adding an expansion chassis if your data grows beyond these four initial drives.

Included Storage: Diskless

The unit ships without any internal hard drives installed. You must purchase drives separately to make the system functional. This approach lets you choose the exact drive models and capacities that fit your budget and performance needs. It is common for enterprise-grade servers to sell diskless, giving you full control over your storage investment.

Network Connectivity: 4 x 1GbE

The device includes four standard Gigabit Ethernet ports. This allows you to connect multiple devices or networks simultaneously. You can use link aggregation to boost speed or separate traffic types like file sharing from backups. This setup provides reliable connectivity for office environments without requiring expensive 10GbE upgrades right away.

Form Factor: Rackmount

This server is designed to be mounted in a standard equipment rack. It saves floor space and keeps your IT infrastructure organized. The 1U height fits into most server racks found in offices or small data centers. This form factor is ideal if you already have rack space and want a professional, compact installation.

Design and physical layout

The Synology RS826+ is built as a 1U rackmount server. This form factor allows you to install the unit in standard equipment racks. According to the listing, the chassis measures 22.44 by 21.26 by 7.09 inches. The exterior finish is black. These dimensions ensure the device fits into most server closets without taking up excessive vertical space.

The unit is diskless. You must purchase and install your own drives into the four available bays. This design choice gives you flexibility in selecting storage types and capacities. It also means the initial weight is lower than fully loaded systems. You can mix and match drive sizes to suit your specific data needs.

Networking is handled by four built-in 1GbE RJ-45 ports. This layout provides multiple connection options for your network infrastructure. A PCIe 3.0 expansion slot is also present. You can add optional 10GbE or 25GbE network cards to this slot. This allows for faster data transfer speeds if your office network supports it. The physical design prioritizes expansion and connectivity over built-in storage.

Setup and everyday use

You begin by installing your own hard drives into the four drive bays. The unit ships diskless, so you must provide storage media. Once drives are seated, you connect the four built-in 1GbE RJ-45 ports to your network. This provides standard connectivity for office environments. You can also utilize the PCIe 3.0 expansion slot if you require faster speeds. Adding optional 10GbE or 25GbE network interface cards is possible through this slot. M.2 NVMe SSD adapter cards are also supported for caching or additional storage tiers.

Daily operation relies on Synology’s software ecosystem. The system manages file sharing, syncing, and backup tasks across your office. The listed sequential read speed of over 2,000 MB/s ensures rapid access to active files. You benefit from automated storage tiering, which moves less frequently accessed data to lower-cost cold tiers. This preserves high-performance storage for active workloads. If you need more capacity, you can connect a single Synology RX426 Expansion Unit to scale up to eight drive bays. The 1U rackmount form factor keeps the unit compact within standard equipment racks. You do not need to manage complex hardware configurations manually. The system handles optimization in the background. This setup supports consistent performance for collaborative work. You rely on the hardware specs and software features to maintain data accessibility and efficiency without manual intervention.

Before you buy this NAS

This unit ships diskless, so you must purchase drives separately. Ensure your chosen hard drives fit the 3.5-inch form factor required for these four bays. The chassis is a 1U rackmount design, measuring 22.44 by 21.26 by 7.09 inches. You need a standard equipment rack to house it securely. The system includes four built-in 1GbE ports. If your network requires higher speeds, you can install optional 10GbE or 25GbE NICs into the PCIe 3.0 slot. You can also add M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching or storage. The listing notes a 3-year warranty. You should verify your rack space and power requirements before ordering. This server suits small offices needing scalable storage. It sits alongside other rackmount options but offers specific expansion paths for networking and caching that you should evaluate against your current infrastructure needs.

Check before you buy

• Verify rack space for 1U chassis dimensions.
• Purchase compatible 3.5-inch hard drives separately.
• Check if 1GbE ports meet your speed needs.
• Confirm PCIe slot compatibility for expansion cards.

The product at a glance

1

Synology 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS

Best for: Office file sharing and backup with expansion needs

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

Four built-in 1GbE RJ-45 ports

Included Storage

Diskless

Form Factor

Rackmount

Weight

19 pounds

View on Amazon: Synology 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS Affiliate link

The Synology RackStation RS826+ is a diskless 4-bay NAS designed for 1U rack mounting. It offers over 2,000 MB/s sequential read speeds and includes four 1GbE ports. You can expand storage by adding an RX426 unit or use the PCIe slot for faster network cards. This server suits offices needing scalable, high-throughput file sharing and backup solutions.

Pros

• Sequential read speeds exceed 2,000 MB/s
• Four built-in 1GbE RJ-45 ports
• PCIe 3.0 slot for 10GbE or NVMe expansion
• Scalable to 8 bays with RX426 unit

Cons

• Sold diskless with no included storage drives
• Base networking limited to 1GbE without add-on cards
• Physical size requires a 1U rack mount

Good fit if

• You need a rackmount solution for office file sharing
• You want to expand storage beyond 4 bays
• You require high sequential read throughput for backups

Skip if

• You need pre-loaded drives for immediate use
• You lack space for a 1U rackmount chassis
• You require 10GbE networking without purchasing extra cards

Verdict: Synology RS826+ 4-Bay 1U Rackmount NAS provides high throughput and expansion options for offices that need scalable, rack-mounted storage infrastructure.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions

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