Synology’s New Disk Restrictions: Impact on NAS Functionality Starting 2025

By /

Listen to this Post

Featured Image
Synology has announced that, starting in 2025, its “Plus” series NAS devices will restrict certain functionalities unless users employ Synology-certified hard drives. Features like deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic firmware updates will be limited to Synology-approved disks. The company justifies this move as enhancing “security and support,” but it significantly reduces user flexibility in storage choices.

Source: Synology’s Official Announcement

You Should Know: How to Bypass or Adapt to Synology’s Restrictions

1. Checking Disk Compatibility

Synology maintains a list of certified disks. Verify compatibility before purchasing: 

 Check current disk model in Linux 
sudo smartctl -i /dev/sdX

Replace `sdX` with your disk identifier (e.g., sda, sdb).

2. Alternative NAS Solutions

If Synology’s restrictions are a dealbreaker, consider:

  • TrueNAS (Open-source, ZFS-based)
  • Unraid (Flexible disk management)
  • QNAP (Less restrictive but proprietary)

Migrating from Synology to TrueNAS

1. Backup Data

rsync -avz /volume1/your_data/ /mnt/backup_drive/

2. Install TrueNAS on a New System

 Download the ISO and flash to USB 
dd if=truenas.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
  1. Forcing Non-Certified Disks in Synology (Unofficial Workarounds)
    Some users report that previously used Synology disks may still work. Test with: 

    Check if disk was previously in a Synology NAS 
sudo hdparm -I /dev/sdX | grep "Model|Serial"

4. Monitoring Disk Health Without Synology’s Tools

Use Linux tools to manually check disk health:

 Check SMART status 
sudo smartctl -H /dev/sdX 
 Run a short self-test 
sudo smartctl -t short /dev/sdX

5. Automating Firmware Updates (Without Synology’s System)

For non-Synology drives, manually update firmware:

 Check for firmware updates (WD/Hitachi/Seagate) 
sudo hdparm --fwdownload /path/to/firmware.bin --please-destroy-my-drive /dev/sdX

(Use with caution—firmware updates can brick drives if done incorrectly.)

What Undercode Say

Synology’s move aligns with trends seen in enterprise storage (e.g., NetApp, Dell EMC), where vendor lock-in ensures profit but limits user freedom. If you rely on advanced NAS features, TrueNAS or Unraid may be better long-term solutions. For those staying with Synology:
– Stock up on certified disks before 2025
– Use Linux tools (smartctl, hdparm) to monitor disks
– Consider third-party scripts to mimic Synology’s automation

Expected Output:

A NAS admin’s toolkit should now include: 
- Disk health checks (<code>smartctl</code>) 
- Migration scripts (<code>rsync</code>) 
- Alternative NAS OS familiarity (TrueNAS/Unraid)

Would you like deeper CLI examples for NAS management? Let us know!

References:

Reported By: Activity 7321963783537451008 – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

Join Our Cyber World:

💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Related Posts: