Synology launches all-flash storage systems for enterprises

Synology has launched the FS6420 and FS3420 all-flash storage systems, two rack-mounted models aimed at enterprise workloads that require low-latency storage.

Designed for block and file storage in on-premises environments, the systems target virtualisation, databases and other business applications. Both are 24-bay 2U units within Synology's enterprise storage range.

Performance is central to the launch. Synology said the FS6420 delivers more than 929,000 read IOPS and 257,000 write IOPS, marking improvements of 40% and 26% over the previous model. The FS3420 delivers more than 478,000 read IOPS and 169,000 write IOPS, with read and write gains of 21% and 32% respectively.

Both systems also provide more than 60% higher SMB read throughput than their predecessors, targeting file-sharing workloads that need greater bandwidth, including environments where several users access large files at the same time.

Each model includes dual 10GbE ports as standard, with support for optional 25GbE or Fibre Channel adapters to fit faster network environments and existing storage infrastructure.

Both products include resilience features. Redundant power supplies reduce the risk of a single hardware failure causing downtime, while integrated networking supports failover and load balancing. Out-of-band management also lets administrators troubleshoot remotely and retrieve logs even if the server is shut down.

Software stack

Both systems run on Synology DiskStation Manager, the company's storage and management software platform. Through it, they support VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix and OpenStack environments, positioning them for businesses running mixed virtual infrastructure.

Synology said the systems are intended for demanding workflows that combine high data volumes with heavy network use. It cited video post-production and large CAD projects as examples, where multiple users may need access to large files over SMB or NFS connections.

The new models also include Synology Tiering, which manages data across performance and capacity tiers. In this setup, the FS6420 and FS3420 can serve as a high-speed tier for frequently accessed workloads, while less active data is stored elsewhere.

Data protection tools are also included. Active Backup for Business can back up unlimited virtual machines and physical servers, while Snapshot Replication provides recovery points and restores at volume, folder and file level.

Enterprise demand

The launch comes as some organisations continue to keep latency-sensitive applications on site rather than in public cloud infrastructure. Storage suppliers have responded by updating flash systems for workloads such as databases, virtual machines and applications that need predictable response times.

Synology, better known in some markets for network-attached storage used by smaller businesses and prosumers, has been expanding into larger enterprise deployments. The new models are positioned for mid-sized and large companies, as well as colocation environments.

Jeffrey Huang, Product Manager at Synology, said demand from organisations running intensive local workloads had shaped the release.

"More organisations than ever are running demanding on-premises workloads and need storage that can accommodate them," Huang said. "The FS6420 and FS3420 deliver substantial IOPS improvements over their predecessors, boosting performance for latency-sensitive workloads. They're strong options for a wide range of mid-size and large enterprises and colocation environments looking to implement enterprise applications and virtualisation workloads."

The systems are being sold through Synology's partner and reseller network worldwide.