RackStation

RackStation is a line of rack-mounted network-attached storage devices produced by Synology Inc., designed for deployment in data centers, server rooms, or rack-equipped offices. RackStation units are typically 1U or 2U appliances with multiple hot-swappable drive bays, enabling scalable on-premises storage with centralized access. Hardware ranges include multi-core processors, expandable memory, and options such as redundant power supplies and PCIe expansion for NVMe cache or additional network adapters. Many models provide multiple Ethernet ports, including 1 GbE as standard and higher-speed options such as 10 GbE.

Software and management: RackStation runs Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), a web-based operating system that provides storage management, access control, and data protection features. DSM supports RAID configurations, the Btrfs file system, snapshots, and replication for disaster recovery. It also supports virtualization through Virtual Machine Manager and containerization via Docker, along with packages for file sharing, media streaming, surveillance, and collaboration. Network services include SMB, NFS, and AFP, plus Cloud Sync and Synology Drive for cloud and team collaboration.

Use cases: centralized file storage, scheduled backups, disaster recovery, virtualization hosting, and surveillance storage when used with Surveillance Station. Security and reliability: built-in encryption, access controls, and regular firmware updates help protect data, while optional cloud backups extend protection beyond on-premises storage.