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Data storage and backup specialist Synology announced the release of DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.2, which offers a file-sharing solution that works on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms, as well as support for Amazon S3 and Glacier platforms to offer small and midsize businesses (SMBs) more flexible options for data security.
Synology’s support for Microsoft’s Active Directory and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) allows DiskStation to join an existing domain, so IT administrators can manage user accounts, groups and network resources. With Windows access control lists (ACL), businesses can have more advanced access control to maintain data integrity and allow IT to see who has access to information.
The platform also features logical unit number (LUN) snapshot and clone capability to provide up to 256 snapshots per LUN and rapid duplication of virtual copies of a LUN, with negligible impact on system performance and minimal extra storage space. Two-step verification reinforces security with a pre-defined password and a one-time six-digit code. DSM 4.2 is free to download for users who own a DiskStation or RackStation x09 series and onward, a company release noted.
A disk usage report feature visualizes storage usage for IT admins, generating storage reports to help ensure best storage utilization. Server management is further simplified with a task scheduler, which performs assigned tasks according to a user’s pre-defined schedule. Moreover, Synology network attached storage (NAS) can provide a trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) service to create a pre-execution (PXE) environment, allowing users to boot up systems over the network.
“Synology has once again pushed the possibilities of NAS servers to new dimensions by releasing DSM 4.2,” Synology CEO Vic Hsu said in a statement. “It helps businesses achieve agility as well as productivity in big data storage, and reshapes users’ multimedia experience with a suite of advanced features.”
All the data can be automatically and securely synced over secure socket layer (SSL) encryption through the DiskStation cloud architecture, where Apple iOS and Google Android users can specify synchronization rules by file type and size, as well as the option to sync only on WiFi connections. In addition, the File Station feature has made file management easier by supporting hotkeys and a thumbnail view.
The latest edition of DiskStation Manager also includes the ability to conduct multimedia streaming, such as multi-channel TV streaming and recording. It also allows users to watch movies on AirPlay and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) devices, with their mobile device as a remote control. In addition, photo uploads have been made more efficient with the drag-n-drop feature in Photo Station and through the Photo Station uploader, which additionally accelerates thumbnail conversion.