Which NAS for home and docker support ?

[rzrjck]

I'm looking for a NAS for home, and also to host some of my private projects (in docker).
2 bay NAS should be sufficient for my data, and 2GB RAM.
What about security? I read in many posts that Synology is more secure than Qnap and that I shouldn't expose NAS to internet anyway.
Does it mean I should block ALL access to NAS from internet? or just not expose admin web console ?
What about syncing files between devices (google drive or dropbox client functionality) - at the end this is what I need, syncing files between PCs (even when they aren't at home) - what about QSync client or Synology Drive Client ? are they not safe as well ?
of course it would be nice to access those files thru web as well (from devices without installed client, or is it the security problem?)

Does hardening that setup make sense? routing traffic thru reverse-proxy (I have RaspberryPi4 Nginx for that).

or if exposing NAS functionalities to internet is not safe, then I could run Seafile (which I heard is pretty secure) in a Docker on that NAS (and expose only Seafile's ports)

I was thinking about running my own NAS (with RP4) - I use Seafile now, but I like the idea of a closed nice box with drives, without tinkering too much etc.)
(I mentioned only qnap and synology, but maybe there are other NASes worth considering?)

 

[Rusty]

Welcome

2 bay NAS should be sufficient for my data, and 2GB RAM

If that is your ballpark then DS223, DS223j, or DS224+ should do the trick considering those do support Docker.

Does it mean I should block ALL access to NAS from internet?

The fewer ports you have exposed the less of an attack vector your NAS will become. Using various VPN options would be best if you do indeed need remote access, but even if that is not an option, you can expose your device, just make sure to harden it as much as possible (custom port, geo firewall, MFA on the account, etc). Reverse proxy is also an option even more so if you can reverse over some entities on the web like Cloudflare, to get "lost" in their public IP pool.

I was thinking about running my own NAS (with RP4) - I use Seafile now, but I like the idea of a closed nice box with drives, without tinkering too much etc.)
(I mentioned only qnap and synology, but maybe there are other NASes worth considering?)

While all that is an option, remember this is a Synology brand forum, so most answers will be towards that ecosystem. Saying that ofc you are welcome to ask any questions about other brands it is just the number of answers in return that might be an issue.

Welcome again!

 

[Telos]

Stick with the plus line. Anything else is a compromise that may lead to future disappointment. If you need on-the-fly video transcoding you are limited to the DS 423+ and the DS 224+ units.

 

[itsjasper]

Alternate option - NAS (any model) plus a SFF PC.

Cons: two devices. Pros: practically everything else.

 

[rzrjck]

I thought about buying used and cheaper model now, and after a few months, when I know better what to expect and how to use it, I could buy something for years (new and possibly with 4 bays),
however, I just read that even recent models (from last 6 years?) have problematic CPUs... :/
Intel Celeron N3350, J3355, J3455 and Pentium N4200 (LPC problems, similar to previous C2000 bug). Info - Reliability issue with Intel Celeron N3350, J3355, J3455 and Pentium N4200 CPUs
Is that true ?
or is affects only single units?

I thought about used DS218+, DS220+ or DS418play (so x86 and extendable memory)
I guess new models with Arm64 architecture (not old 32bit Arm_v7) are less problematic as well (easier to find software).

 

[rzrjck]

after looking more, i'm inclined to TS-453B 16GB 4-core Celeron - I see used one for ~250 eur - however that's J3455 model, should I expect problems ?
or TS-251D (Celeron J4025 - I couldn't find problems with it)

 

[Telos]

i'm inclined to TS-453B

This is SynoForum. Better to ask at QNAP forum. Otherwise, see Rusty's post upstream for Synology recs. Good luck with your quest.

 

[rzrjck]

yeah, sorry for asking about qnap :P
DS224+ is almost 2x more expensive than older used models - i want to learn first how I like and work with NAS.
I can see used DS220+ it has newer J4025 (no problems with it?)

 

[Rusty]

I can see used DS220+ it has newer J4025 (no problems with it?)

Apart from some x15 and x17 models, non of the x18, x20, or newer had issues that were mass reported. The 220+ will be more then enough to get you started if you do not wish to get the current x24.

 

[Coop777]

My .02 - Consider your short and long term needs (~3-5 years) when considering the NAS model, number of bays, possible expansion needs, and what drive sizes to go with. Your budget is obviously another critical factor.

 

[rzrjck]

I bought DS220+ - could be for a moment or for longer - I'll see how I use it, now I have to think about drives, which would stay for longer

 

[rzrjck]

Also I've already done a test, If I need newest Docker (26.x) - I run VM with Alpine linux (256MB RAM - was possible to run on DS220+ with only 2GB RAM) with Docker and simple python3 webserver container (memory used around 90MB in VM).
And of course Docker in DSM works.

 

[rzrjck]

I've installed 8GB Timetec stick, it works.
However, also I already found big a CON for me .... Synology Drive Client ignores symlinks ... which I thought would be an obvious thing (to organise things to be synced)