A Beginner’s Guide to NAS featuring Terramaster

NAS, or Network-Attached Storage, is a term that many tech enthusiasts swear by, yet for many, it remains an enigma. If you’ve ever wished for a more streamlined way to store, access, and manage your data, then a NAS might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This guide will specifically delve into Terramaster’s offerings in the NAS sector, helping you understand and make informed decisions.

What is a NAS?

In simple terms, a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) is a storage device connected to a network. Think of it as a personal cloud right in your home or office. Unlike a regular hard drive that connects directly to a computer, a NAS connects to your home or business network, allowing multiple users and devices to access and store data.

Here’s why it’s handy:

1. Centralized Storage: Store all your media, documents, and other data in one place.
2. Accessibility: Access your files from anywhere as long as you’re connected to the network.
3. Backup: Automatic backups of your precious data, and even your entire PC or Mac.
4. Media Streaming: Stream your stored media directly to various devices.
5. Expandability: Easily add more storage as your needs grow.

Terramaster is one of the brands that has excelled in delivering efficient and cost-effective NAS solutions. With an intuitive operating system and robust hardware options, Terramaster’s NAS offerings cater to both beginners and advanced users.

Why Not Use Cloud Services like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox instead of a NAS?

Do not think that 3rd party cloud services are bad, they really aren’t! In fact, you should always consider adding a 2nd or 3rd tier into your backup strategy at home/work, and synchronization of files/folders on your NAS with the cloud is a good means to ensure you have another backup in place. Additionally, most NAS feature a variety of 256bit encryption options, password protection, 2 step verification and more to allow secure access is ensured to the NAS and the content, even via the cloud. Additionally, big NAS brands have been supporting Hybrid Cloud services that not only allow cloud storage to be bolted onto your NAS storage for shared usage and access, but also both brand support backup and synchronization with cloud collaborate services, such as Google’s G Suite and Microsoft’s Office 365. So there is DEFINITELY still a valid and useful place for 3rd party cloud services in 2023, however, I rarely advocate the use of these cloud services as a PRIMARY storage location. They ARE convenient and you can get a limited amount of space included for free, but I generally have three core reasons that I do not recommend cloud as a first-tier storage.

Storage Considerations with Terramaster

When contemplating storage for your NAS, especially with a brand like Terramaster, here are some considerations:

1. Hard Drive vs. SSD: Traditionally, NAS devices have used Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) because of their larger storage capacities and lower costs. However, Solid State Drives (SSDs) are gaining popularity due to faster read/write speeds and reliability. Terramaster supports both, but the choice depends on your needs. If speed is crucial, SSDs are the way to go, but if you need more storage at a lower price, HDDs are still very relevant.
2. Redundancy (RAID): Redundancy ensures data is not lost if one drive fails. Terramaster supports various RAID configurations. For beginners, the most common are RAID 1 (mirroring) and RAID 5 (striping with parity). RAID 1 requires two drives, duplicating data on both. If one fails, the other takes over. RAID 5 requires at least three drives and combines their storage into one ‘pool’, while still ensuring data safety.

Click to view slideshow.

1. Drive Capacity: Depending on the amount of data you plan to store, you’ll need to choose the right drive capacities. Terramaster’s NAS models support varying numbers of bays (places to put a drive). Think about your future needs as well; it’s often wiser to invest in a model with more bays than you currently need.
2. Drive Health Monitoring: Terramaster’s OS includes utilities to monitor drive health, helping predict potential drive failures. Regularly checking this can help prevent unexpected data loss.

1GbE, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE: What’s the difference?

One of the important considerations when setting up a NAS is the network speed. Here, the terms 1GbE, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE often come up. But what do they mean?

Simply put, these terms refer to network speeds:

• 1GbE (1 Gigabit Ethernet): Offers speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
• 2.5GbE (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet): Offers speeds up to 2.5 gigabits per second.
• 10GbE (10 Gigabit Ethernet): Offers speeds up to 10 gigabits per second.

Click to view slideshow.

Now, why should you care? The speed determines how fast you can read or write data to your NAS. If you’re a videographer working with 4K videos, for instance, you’d benefit from faster speeds like 10GbE. For regular home use, 1GbE might suffice.

However, remember that just having a 10GbE NAS isn’t enough. Your entire network, including routers and switches, must also support the desired speeds.

Terramaster provides NAS models with varying Ethernet capabilities. So, depending on your need for speed and budget, there’s a model for you.

Choosing Between Terramaster Desktop and Rackmount NAS

When delving deeper into the world of Network-Attached Storage (NAS), you’ll quickly discover that the physical form factor of the device can vary greatly. Two of the most common types of NAS are the desktop-based and the rackmount configurations. While Terramaster predominantly focuses on desktop NAS solutions, understanding the distinction between these two forms can help you make an informed choice tailored to your specific needs.

Understanding the Basics of Rackmount and Desktop NAS

Before we dive into the pros and cons of each type, it’s vital to understand the fundamental differences:

1. Desktop NAS: As the name implies, these are designed to sit on a desk or a shelf. They are typically more compact, stand-alone, and look like larger external hard drives.
2. Rackmount NAS: These are designed to be mounted in standardized rack cabinets commonly found in data centers and server rooms. They come in a form factor to fit the horizontal racks, usually expressed in ‘rack units’ or U (e.g., 1U, 2U, 4U).

Desktop NAS: Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Compactness: They are perfect for small offices or homes with limited space. Their design is generally aesthetically pleasing, allowing them to blend seamlessly with other office devices or even home décor.
2. Portability: Easier to move around if needed, making them suitable for dynamic environments or places with changing setups.
3. Ease of Use: Most desktop NAS devices are plug-and-play. They often require minimal setup, perfect for those who may not have advanced IT skills.
4. Cost: Generally, desktop NAS devices are more affordable, making them an excellent choice for small businesses or personal use.

Cons:

1. Limited Scalability: Given their size and design, there’s a limit to how many drives or additional components you can add.
2. Cooling and Noise: Some desktop NAS models, especially those with multiple drives, may generate more noise and heat, as they lack the extensive cooling systems found in larger rackmount devices.

Rackmount NAS: Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Scalability: Rackmount devices are built for expansion. Whether you’re looking to add more drives or integrate other server components, they provide more flexibility.
2. Efficient Cooling: Designed for data centers, they come with built-in cooling mechanisms to handle heat from multiple devices, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.
3. Higher Performance: These devices are generally more powerful, offering better CPU and RAM configurations suitable for businesses with extensive data operations.
4. Centralized Management: Being in a rack setup, all devices can be managed centrally, which is beneficial for larger operations.

Cons:

1. Size and Portability: Rackmount devices aren’t meant to be moved frequently. They require dedicated space, preferably in a cooled environment.
2. Complexity: They might require more expertise to set up and manage, especially in larger configurations.
3. Cost: Generally more expensive than desktop NAS due to their advanced features and build.

Given the above factors, how should you decide? Here are some considerations to help guide your choice:

1. Purpose: A home user wanting to store personal photos, documents, and media files might find a desktop NAS more than sufficient. However, a business dealing with massive databases, multiple simultaneous users, or requiring centralized server solutions would benefit more from a rackmount setup.
2. Space: Do you have space for a rack setup? If you’re limited on room, a desktop NAS might be the only feasible option.
3. Budget: High-end rackmount setups can be expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, a desktop NAS from Terramaster can provide excellent value for money.
4. Future Expansion: Always consider your future needs. If you foresee significant growth in your data needs, investing in a scalable rackmount solution now might save you the hassle and expense of upgrading later.
5. Technical Know-How: If you’re not tech-savvy and don’t have access to IT expertise, a desktop NAS is usually more straightforward and user-friendly. Rackmount setups, while offering more power and scalability, might pose challenges in setup and management.

Both desktop and rackmount NAS devices have their merits. While Terramaster primarily focuses on desktop NAS solutions, catering to a vast number of home users and small businesses, understanding the distinction between these two forms ensures you’re equipped with the knowledge to make the best decision. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a small business owner, or a large enterprise, there’s a NAS solution out there tailored to your needs. Remember, the key lies in assessing current requirements while also keeping an eye on the future. With the right NAS, you ensure not only the safety and accessibility of your data but also the smoothness of your operations.

Wrapping Up Terramaster and the Conclusion

A NAS is more than just a storage solution. It’s a centralized hub for your digital life. With brands like Terramaster providing a range of options suited for various needs, diving into the world of NAS has never been easier. When considering storage, weigh the pros and cons of HDDs vs. SSDs, think about redundancy, and plan for future data needs. Also, in today’s data-heavy world, network speeds play a crucial role, so choose a model that aligns with your demands. Whether you’re a professional needing a robust data management solution or a home user looking to centralize family memories, Terramaster’s NAS offerings can cater to your requirements. Dive in, and discover a more organized, accessible, and secure digital life.

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Why Choose TerraMaster NAS? Advantages and Disadvantages

One brand that I have always had a personal love for is TerraMaster. This is purely subjective and should be taken with a pinch of salt, but for a brand that no one really knows about, they give ALOT of the key features that other bigger brand advertise alot. BTRFS support is available on pretty much ALL the Intel-based devices, they feature one of the ONLY 4 LAN 2-Bay NAS’, along with an Intel N5105 based 10Gbe 2, 4 5 and 8-Bay solution and a particularly unique 2 HDD 10GbE system. Arriving with a thunderbolt DAS range too, Terramaster is a NAS brand that has evolved comparatively quickly and although for the most part, they are only available via Amazon, this has still allowed them to be a recognizable brand. Typically in a like for like hardware comparison with them and companies like Synology/QNAP, you will find them better value for money, and the software (though less diverse or slick than those two big brands) is still pretty smooth and intuative. The chassis design is a little underwhelming, but even that has improved in recent revisions. All in all, they are the best budget NAS solution out there in 2023 and a good entry point into NAS.

PROS of TerraMaster NAS

• Great Price vs Hardware
• VERY Fast Brand Evolution
• TOS 5 Software introducing Surveillance, FluidRAID, AI-Powered photo Recognition and Isolation Mode
• Added a LARGE 2.5GbE selection of NAS in their portfolio
• Hugely Improved GUI and Client apps
• BTRFS available as file system choice
• Desktop and Rackmount options
• Similar Hardware to QNAP and Asustor, but at a Lower Price
• Straight forward range and classification
• Very Straight Fordwared Setup

CONS of TerraMaster NAS

• Very Few Mobile Apps
• Not quite as polished or fully featured as Synology/QNAP
• Despite Business targeting, very poor support of 10GBe till recently in the F2-423
• A little dated design
• Arrives with Warranty, but the turnaround is slower than many
• Have been targetted by Ransomware attacks in the last 2 years

Terramaster F2-423 NAS – $289 4-Core Intel 64bit CPU – 4/32GB Memory – 2.5GbE – 2-Bay	RECOMMENDED – Terramaster F5-422 – $599 4-Core Intel 64bit CPU – 4/16GB Memory – 10GbE – 5-Bay	Terramaster T12-423 12-Bay NAS – $1399 4-Core Intel 64bit CPU – 4/32GB Memory – 2.5GbE – NVMe – 12-Bay
Best Budget NAS Check Amazon Below for Current Prices/Stock	Best Mid-Range Solution Check Amazon Below for Current Prices/Stock	Best Business Solution Check Amazon Below for Current Prices/Stock

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Is WDDA and Drive Power on Hours Warnings Impacting QNAP Users?

In recent weeks, we have been discussing an on going story surrounding a Western Digital drive health monitoring tool called WDDA (Western Digital Device Analytics). You can find out much more about it in our video here, our original article here or over on channel friend Spacerex’ video here (he broke the story). In brief, the issue surrounds a health monitoring component of WDDA that presents a NAS user with a warning when a drive is 3 years old that suggests they buy a new drive, despite the drive still working perfectly. However, up until now, the main brand that people have been discussing in conjunction with WDDA has been synology. However, they are not the only brand in town! What about arguably their biggest rival in the home/prosumer market, QNAP? Are they impacted by WDDA? And how are they approaching the matter of how warning from WDDA is interpreted by their QTS NAS Software? Let’s discuss.

Quick Recap – Why is everyone angry about WDDA on WD Red HDDs?

WDDA operates similarly to Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.). Recently, there was a situation involving WD Red NAS Hard drives equipped with WDDA running on Synology’s DSM 7.0 systems. After three years (counted in powered-on hours), WDDA issued a warning suggesting the drives should be replaced, despite the drives still being in perfectly good health. This led to a heated debate online. Although Synology’s response to this issue was to cease supporting WDDA in their DSM 7.1 and 7.2 updates, they have not confirmed the reasons for this decision. While this has stirred up discussion, the approach of another significant player, QNAP, has been different. Until 2023, QNAP had not supported or integrated WDDA into their QTS or QuTS NAS operating system (though SMART, Seagate Ironwolf and their own QNAP DA Drive Analyzer have been in either software for a while now). This changed in the reveal of the beta and eventual release candidates (RC’s) of QTS 5.1. WDDA has been included in the system storage manager and is accessible via the individual disk monitoring areas an in their new Drive Failure Prediction feature, which uses the multitude of drive health monitoring tools to predict a drive’s potential failure, then cloning the contents of a suspected drive to a healthy one in order to avoid the lost time/performance impact of traditional drive RAID rebuilds when a drive fails.

So, in order to find out a little more about QTS/QuTS 5.1 handles WDDA integration and notifications, Eddie (aka EddieTheWebGuy) took to Putty and used SSH to dig into the backend of the software and identifying what WDDA tests are included in the service and how they are acknowledged/used by the system. So, here are the 18 different WDDA tests and suggested actions:

Then Ed was able to find the interpretations that QNAP have of these tests. It looks like QNAP did not modify these messages in their own internal actions, however, there was no indication of whether these warnings would be actioned. To be more specific, he was not able to ascertain what QTS 5.1 would do if the WDDA drive inside the QNAP QTS 5.1 system would action the WDDA drive 3yrs hours warning in the QTS GUI to the end user. They could be seen, but there was also every possibility that they would only be presented in the WDDA section of the storage manager or in QuLogs, but in an non-direct fashion. There is not enough information here to identify this. Plus, it is not easy to fake the # of hours on an HDD for the system to action the WDDA warning, so we cannot artificially replicate it.

Lastly, WDDA’s support in the new QTS 5.1 Drive Failure Prediction (Predicted Migration) feature is not enabled by default AND is customizable in the extent to which the information it feeds to the calculations of a drive’s failure. This can be adapted to the user’s specifications from within the Storage manager.

Now, QNAP adding support of WDDA on WD Red/Purple drives is not necessarily a bad thing. Indeed, the WDDA test comprises 18 individual tests (not just the power-on-hours test that people are taking issue with) that are made up of unique test types/metrics and/or tests that are comprised of existing SMART values, but presented in a much more human-friendly way. However, there are still question marks around the following utility of WD Red/Purple Drives that support WDDA and QNAP QTS 5.1. Namely, the following:

• Are WDDA services in QTS 5.1 on by default?
• Is there an easy option to disable them?
• What happens when a WDDA warning is pushed to the QNAP QTS system and how/if it is presented to the end user?

These are things that I was not able to completely ascertain in my testing (see the video below), so I reached out to QNAP to ask them.

QNAP and WDDA in QTS 5.1 – Questions and Answers

Although the questions that I put to QNAP regarding their position and support of WDDA in QTS 5.1 are covered in the video above, I include them below:

Question: “What is the default status of WDDA in the QNAP QTS 5.1 Storage Manager? Is it on or off by default?”

 “In the current release candidate of QTS 5.1, the Western Digital Device Analytics service is enabled by default. This was to allow the benefits of the additional layer of on drive monitoring analysis to be available immediately to the end user.”

Question: “I was not able to find any means to disable the WDDA service from within QTS 5.1, aside from via an SSH command level action. Is there an option I missed or by design?”

“QTS 5.1 (rc2) does not currently feature the option to disable WDDA, not dissimilar to it not having the facility to disable S.M.A.R.T services. Users can choose to access and download the WDDA test results, but they also have the option to disregard it’s findings. We have also incorporated Western Digital Device Analytics into our predicted drive failure service in QTS 5.1, alongside Seagate Ironwolf Health Management, S.M.A.R.T and our own Drive Analyzer partner service. This is disabled by default and, when enabled, users can tailor the extent to which this information will be utilized in drive failure prediction to greatly minimize time traditionally lost to RAID rebuilding in the event of a drive failure. We will continue to listen to our user base and if the need for a change on WDDA support and its default functionality is clearly requested, we will of course oblige.”

Question: “How are WDDA notifications and alerts handled by QNAP QTS 5.1? More specifically, if the WDDA service sends a warning notification that a drive has exceeded 3 years in hours, how is that message interpreted and delivered to the user in QTS?”

“Suggested actions are supplied to us by Western Digital and in the majority of cases, we have not changed this message in our notifications center. We do not display this as a ‘Warning’ message, instead classifying it as an ‘Advisory’. Our Notifications Center and QuLog Center both allot users to tailor their alerts and actions into ‘Information’, ‘Warning’ and ‘Error’. If a user does not change the default targeting of these groups, a power on hours warning will be treated as Information. This is reflected in the current version of QTS 5.1 rc2 and subject to change.”

Question: “In light of current concerns over the handling of ‘power on hours suggested replacement’ by WDDA services, will QNAP be continuing to include this component in the full release of QTS 5.1?”

“WDDA is included in QTS 5.1 rc2 and we believe it to be a useful addition to the existing range of drive health and analysis tools at the users disposal. We will of course listen to our customers and if a need for how drive health information is delivered is requested, we will oblige.”

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, it is not necessarily bad that QNAP is integrating WDDA into QTS 5.1. As long as users have the ability to scale it’s notifications and use OR those notifications are not aggressively delivered, then WDDA does deliver a user-friendly alternative to SMART for some of the HDD analytics. However, the use of the 3 years drive warning on some systems that suggest purchasing a new WD drive (especially in the case of HDDs that are Pro class with 5 Year warranty inclusive) has certainly rubbed a lot of users up the wrong way!  As we have detailed online in our WDDA videos, if the notification was tweaked, perhaps to kick in when a drive is one month away from the expiry of it’s warranty and served just as a reminder that the drive will no longer be in warranty from X date (again, not a warning, just as ‘information’), that might be a great deal more popular. For now, QNAP sounds like they are willing to listen to their user base on how they roll out in QTS 5.1 from Release Candidate to Full release. We will continue to keep an eye on this in future.

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WDDA Western Digital Warning- are your NAS drives doomed? Should you replace your drives?

In recent months, Synology NAS users have been receiving a warning known as WDDA (Western Digital Device Analytics) on their WD drives after approximately three years of use. This warning message advises users to replace their drives as they have reached their expected lifetime. However, some users have performed SMART tests on their drives, and the results came back normal. This has led to confusion and uncertainty among users, prompting the question of whether it is necessary to replace the drives or if the warning can be ignored. In this article, we will explore the meaning of WDDA, its warning levels in DSM 7, how to interpret and respond to each situation, which drives are affected, and the role of WD and Synology in handling this issue. We will also discuss the comparison with Seagate Health Management and how QNAP approaches similar warnings differently. Additionally, we will address whether it is advisable to disable the WDDA feature and provide instructions on how to do so if desired.

Update (07:17 GMT  13/6/23)

Synology has been in touch regarding this video and was keen to make the following statement regarding WDDA Drive support and use on their DSM software platform.

“We disagree with the statement that is it not possible to disable usage of WDDA services on supported WD Red hard drives. We would like to confirm the following:

• You can enable/disable WDDA from Storage Manager at any time from the UI. This will remove any warnings (assuming the drive is healthy otherwise).
• Storage Manager has always allowed administrators to “suppress” non-severe drive warnings. This option is also available for this particular warning.

Additionally, regarding the support of WD Red Drives with WDDA on-board services, in DSM:

• WDDA was only introduced into DSM 7.0 (July 2021).
• WDDA is not enabled by default.
• Synology has already deprecated WDDA, and it is not included on any -22 series or newer system (e.g. DS1522+)

WDDA, and its triggers and warnings, are not developed or controllable by Synology. So while DSM can ignore warnings thrown by WDDA, this defeats the purpose of the health monitoring tool that the administrator knowingly enabled. “ – An Official Synology Source, 9th June 2023

Back to the Original Article:

What’s happening? When did this all start?

In recent times, an interesting phenomenon has caught the attention of users in various online forums. People have begun questioning why DSM 7, the operating system used in Synology NAS devices, displays warnings on drives that are merely three years old. This puzzling situation has left many scratching their heads since SMART checks, a commonly used diagnostic tool for assessing drive health, indicate that these drives are functioning perfectly fine. The source of this seemingly contradictory warning lies in WDDA (Western Digital Device Analytics). It has become apparent that WDDA plays a significant role in triggering the warnings, even when SMART checks report no issues. The discrepancy between SMART test results and the persistent warning has sparked confusion and prompted users to seek answers and solutions to this perplexing dilemma.

WDDA: WARNING:

The drive has accumulated a large number of power on hours through the entire life of the drive.

Please consider to replace the drive soon.

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What is WD’s WDDA Service? 

WDDA, which stands for Western Digital Device Analytics, is a feature and framework developed by Western Digital, a prominent manufacturer of hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). WDDA aims to provide valuable insights into the health, performance, and overall condition of WD drives. It encompasses various metrics and parameters derived from HDD specifications, including load/unload cycles, MTBF (mean time between failures), TBW (terabytes written per year), and power-on hours per year. By analyzing these factors, WDDA helps to assess the drive’s usage patterns, potential wear and tear, and expected lifespan. It provides a holistic view of the drive’s health, allowing users to make informed decisions regarding maintenance, replacement, or further diagnostics. With WDDA, Western Digital aims to empower users with proactive drive management capabilities and ensure the optimal performance and reliability of their WD drives.

Reading HDD spec sheets can be daunting if you’re not familiar with the terminology and metrics used. However, understanding key specifications can provide valuable insights into the performance and longevity of a hard disk drive (HDD). One important metric is MTBF (mean time between failures), which indicates the average expected time between drive failures. A higher MTBF generally implies greater reliability. Unload cycles refer to the number of times the read/write heads are parked and unparked, which can affect the mechanical wear of the drive. Lower unload cycle values are generally desirable as they indicate reduced stress on the drive mechanism. Power-on hours per year provides an estimate of how long the drive has been operational. It gives an indication of the usage intensity and can be useful in assessing the wear and tear on the drive. Workload per year refers to the amount of data written to the drive within a specific period. This metric is particularly important for drives subjected to heavy workloads, such as in NAS or server environments. When evaluating an HDD, it’s crucial to consider these specifications in relation to your specific use case. For example, a drive with a high MTBF, low unload cycles, and a workload rating suitable for your intended usage will likely offer better longevity and performance. It’s also important to note that different manufacturers may use slightly different terminologies or methods of calculating these metrics, so it’s advisable to consult the official documentation or reach out to the manufacturer for clarification if needed. By familiarizing yourself with these metrics and understanding their significance, you can make more informed decisions when selecting and managing HDDs for your storage needs.

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What exactly the warning says?  It is a Warning not ERROR. Is it similar to Synology ONLY drive warning?

When it comes to the warning message displayed in DSM (DiskStation Manager), it’s important to note that it is a “Warning” and not an “Error.” This distinction implies that the situation is not critical or immediate, but it does warrant attention and consideration. The warning message typically indicates that the drive has accumulated a significant number of power-on hours throughout its lifespan, suggesting potential wear and usage. The purpose of the warning is to inform users that based on Western Digital’s device analytics (WDDA), it may be prudent to consider replacing the drive soon.

It’s worth noting that this warning is not exclusive to Synology drives. While Synology does have its own drive compatibility list and may provide warnings specific to incompatible or uncertified drives, the WDDA warning is separate. The WDDA warning is a result of Western Digital’s analytics system and is applicable to WD drives across different NAS platforms, not limited to Synology. Therefore, it’s essential to differentiate between the warnings specific to Synology drives and the broader WDDA warning that applies to WD drives universally. Understanding the nature of the warning and its context can help users assess the health and reliability of their drives, determine the appropriate course of action, and decide whether replacing the drive is necessary or if further diagnostic tests are required.

 

What does Warning mean in DSM ? What action is expected? Is it the same as non-Synology HDD warning?

What to do if I get this warning? What can I do if a drive is in “Warning,” “Critical,” or other abnormal statuses? What other Statuses are there in DSM?

In DSM (DiskStation Manager), the “Warning” status indicates that the system has detected certain issues or an increase in bad sectors on the drive. While the drive may still be functioning adequately, it is essential to monitor its health and the count of bad sectors. The warning serves as an alert to potential problems and prompts users to take action to ensure data integrity and prevent potential drive failure. If you receive a warning status for a drive, it is recommended to closely monitor the drive’s performance and conduct further diagnostics. This can include running SMART tests, examining the drive’s S.M.A.R.T. attributes, and checking for any signs of deteriorating performance or unusual behavior. In some cases, it may be necessary to back up important data from the drive as a precautionary measure. In addition to the “Warning” status, DSM includes other statuses to indicate drive health and conditions. These statuses include:

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What drives are affected? Its not just NAS drives  / What drives support WDDA

The impact of WDDA is not limited to just NAS drives; it extends to various hard disk drive (HDD) models. Some of the drives affected by WDDA and its associated warnings include the Red Pro 12TB (WD121KFBX – 68EF5N0), Red Plus 12TB (formerly known as Red) (WD120EFAX – 68UNTN0), and Purple 8TB (WD82PURZ – 85TEUY0). These drives have been identified as triggering the WDDA warning in Synology NAS devices running DSM 7. For instance, users have reported receiving WDDA warnings on their Synology DS218 (with DSM 7.1.1-42962 Update 4) when using the WD60EFAX-68SHWN0 drive. Additionally, users on forums have mentioned that WDDA works with their DS218+ model and their 12TB WD Red drives (specifically the WD120EFAX model) from 2019. Another user reported receiving notifications on their DiskStation 416Play regarding two of their 6TB WD Red NAS drives in the SHR-array.

It’s important to note that WDDA is specific to Western Digital drives, and not all WD drives are affected. The exact list of drives supporting WDDA may vary, so it’s recommended to refer to official documentation or contact Western Digital for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that other drive manufacturers, such as Seagate, have their own drive health management systems, which may operate differently from WDDA. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the specific drive models and their associated features when evaluating drive health and compatibility with different NAS systems.

Red Pro 12 TB   WD121KFBX – 68EF5N0

Red Plus (formerly known as Red)   12 TB   WD120EFAX – 68UNTN0

Purple  8 TB    WD82PURZ – 85TEUY0

https://kb.synology.com/en-my/DSM/tutorial/Which_Synology_NAS_supports_WDDA

DS218 DSM 7.1.1-42962 Update 4  –  WD60EFAX-68SHWN0

WDDA works in my DS218+ with my 12TB WD Red drives from 2019 (WD120EFAX)…

DiskStation 416Play sent notifications that two of its 6TB WD Red NAS drives (SHR-array)

https://www.reddit.com/r/synology/comments/nhphn0/wdda_and_dsm7/

Seagate and Ironwolf Health Management:

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Who is to Blame? WD or Synology?

How is Synology handling this WDDA Lifespan warning?

When it comes to the issue of WDDA warnings and the responsibility for addressing them, it is important to understand the roles of both Western Digital (WD) and Synology. WD is the manufacturer of the hard disk drives (HDDs) and is responsible for implementing the WDDA feature that generates the warnings based on drive analytics. Synology, on the other hand, is the provider of the NAS (Network-Attached Storage) systems that utilize these drives and integrate the WDDA functionality into their DSM software. In terms of handling the issue, Synology typically advises users to contact WD for further assistance. This approach is understandable as WD is the manufacturer and has a deeper understanding of their drives and the WDDA feature. WD may request users to run SMART tests to assess the drive’s health, and if the drive passes the test, it can create a discrepancy between the WDDA warning and the drive’s actual condition.

However, some users have expressed frustration with Synology’s response, as they believe that Synology should take more responsibility in handling the issue. Users argue that while WD provides the information through WDDA, it is up to Synology’s DSM software to determine how to act on this information. The inability to disable the WDDA warning in DSM 7, even if the drive passes SMART tests, has raised concerns among users who feel that the warning may cause unnecessary alarm or prompt premature drive replacements. It is important to note that both WD and Synology continuously update their software and firmware to address such issues and provide better user experiences. However, the resolution of the WDDA warning situation would require collaboration and coordination between both parties to ensure that the warnings are accurate, properly interpreted, and provide actionable guidance for users.

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Is QNAP and other NAS affected?

When it comes to the impact of WDDA warnings, it’s worth noting that different NAS (Network-Attached Storage) manufacturers may handle them differently. QNAP, for example, takes a slightly different approach compared to Synology. QTS, the operating system of QNAP NAS devices, prioritizes SMART checks over the WDDA information. This means that QNAP systems do not constantly display warning messages based solely on WDDA data unless there is a significant issue detected. In contrast to the approach taken by Synology, where WDDA warnings are shown even if the SMART tests come back okay, QNAP systems do not inundate users with warning messages unless there is a more serious concern. QTS OS focuses more on SMART test results to determine the health status of the drives, which can help alleviate unnecessary panic or fear among users.

While QNAP and other NAS manufacturers may still utilize WDDA information for certain critical issues, they generally prioritize SMART tests and rely on more immediate indicators of drive health. This approach aims to provide a clearer and more actionable assessment of drive conditions, ensuring that users are alerted only when there is a genuine cause for concern.

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Should I disable WDDA?   How to disable WDDA? Should I stick with DSM 6?

Whether or not to disable WDDA (Western Digital Device Analytics) is a decision that depends on individual preferences and considerations. Disabling WDDA means that the warnings generated by this feature will no longer be displayed in the DSM (DiskStation Manager) interface. However, it’s important to note that WDDA provides additional information about the drive’s usage and lifespan, which some users may find valuable. To disable WDDA in DSM, you can use SSH (Secure Shell) access and run the following command:

sudo synosetkeyvalue /etc.defaults/synoinfo.conf support_wdda no

This command modifies the configuration file to set the “support_wdda” value to “no,” effectively disabling the WDDA feature. Keep in mind that SSH access and running commands require technical knowledge and should be done carefully. As for sticking with DSM 6 or upgrading to DSM 7, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. DSM 7 may offer new features, improvements, and security enhancements compared to its predecessor. However, it’s recommended to thoroughly research the changes and potential compatibility considerations before making the decision to upgrade. It’s important to note that disabling WDDA or deciding on the DSM version should be done after careful evaluation of the potential impact and considering the specific requirements and preferences of your NAS setup. If uncertain, consulting official documentation, seeking guidance from manufacturer support, or engaging in community discussions can provide valuable insights to make an informed decision.

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Synology Finally Reveals their HAT3300 Plus Series HDDs

Synology continues its ever-expanding ecosystem of both hardware and software with the long-overdue reveal of their regular class NAS drive media, the HAT 3300 Plus series hard drives. Originally revealed here in an article back in February, Synology have been slowly working on this new expansion of their storage media selection for quite a while, and although the reaction to their enterprise-level media was perhaps a little mixed, I think there is definitely going to be a warmer and more engaged response to these new drives. Designed for users of value, prosumer, and SMB NAS hardware, these drives are designed for light to intermediate level use and are comparable to those of WD Red and Seagate Iron Wolf drives. Arriving in four separate capacities, as well as including several of the benefits of their enterprise brethren in the HAT 5300 series, those looking at a pure Synology-supported ecosystem network storage solution are definitely going to consider these in their next purchase. But what do we know about them? Let’s go through everything we know and also how these compare with previous hard drives in the Synology portfolio right now.

What Are the Hardware Specifications of the Synology HAT3300 Plus Hard Drives?

There is most certainly a clear design choice here to mirror that of the existing regular-class server drives on the market right now. The Synology HAT 3300+ series has been reported several times, not just here on the blog, to be built using Seagate Iron Wolf drive media with specific Synology firmware on board. Arriving with 180-terabyte annual workloads, 5400rpm, 256-megabyte cache, arriving in a CMR architecture and air-sealed – the specifications we see here are all quite standard. The 12TB benefits from an increased RPM and helium sealing, as per most 12 TB drives in the market, but apart from that the Synology Plus hard drive series are going to run quieter than most pro or enterprise-class drives, as well as have a slightly lower power consumption, but are also going to have a slight performance decrease than that of the HAT5300 and HAT3300. But that is only going to be of significance in larger RAID configurations realistically.

Classification	Domestic SATA
Series Name	PLUS
Model	HAT3300
Interface	SATA 6Gb
Recording	CMR/PMR
Capacity (5/23)	4/6/8/12TB
RPM	5400RPM (7200 on 12TB)
Cache	256MB
Sector Size	512e
Max Transfer Speed (Capacity Dependant)	202/240MB/s
Drive Sealing	AIR/AIR/AIR/Helium
Power Use (Idle)	3.96/3.4/3.4/5.07W
Power Use (Active)	4.85/5.3/5.3/8.33W
Load/Unload Cycles	600K
Workload Rating	180TB (Annual)
MTBF (Hrs)	1Million
Warranty	3 Years

How Do Synology HAT3300 Plus HDDs Compare with HAT5300 Enterprise HDDs?

The differences between the Synology HAT3300, HAT5300/HAS5300 are pretty much exactly as you would find if you compared WD Red and Seagate IronWolf versus that of Seagate Exos and WD Ultrastar. Indeed, I am a little surprised that Synology has not introduced a middle ground in the form of a pro series drive, but perhaps this is something that will roll out later down the line. Nevertheless, this results in quite a void of performance, durability, and scale between these two ranges when compared to long-term established server hard drive ranges from these other companies filling the gaps of capacity and pro middle ground choices. It should be immediately highlighted that regardless of which Synology hard drive you opt for, you still benefit from firmware updates being actionable from within the Synology DSM software, easier and more streamlined warranty support, and firmware optimization that is specifically tailored towards Synology hardware deployment. We have discussed this at length previously when discussing the Synology enterprise hard drives and SSDs, and although you pay a premium for Synology’s own branded drives when compared to third-party alternatives that people have been using for decades, there are nonetheless merits in using drives specifically geared towards your NAS system rather than requiring a slightly broader design that suits more diverse servers. Here is how the Synology enterprise SATA, enterprise SAS, and mid-range plus hard drives differ in their specifications:

Classification	Enterprise SATA	Enterprise SAS	Domestic SATA
Series Name	Enterprise/XS	Enterprise/XS	PLUS
Model	HAT5300	HAS5300	HAT3300
Interface	SATA 6Gb	SAS 12Gb	SATA 6Gb
Recording	CMR/PMR	CMR/PMR	CMR/PMR
Capacity (5/23)	4/8/12/16/18TB	8/12/16/18TB	4/6/8/12TB
RPM	7200RPM	7200RPM	5400RPM (7200 on 12TB)
Cache	256/512MB	256/512MB	256MB
Sector Size	512e	512e	512e
Max Transfer Speed (Capacity Dependant)	254/260/253/274/281MB/s	241/253/274MB/s	202/240MB/s
Drive Sealing	AIR/AIR/Helium/Helium/Helium	AIR/Helium/Helium/Helium	AIR/AIR/AIR/Helium
Power Use (Idle)	4.07/5.61/4.25/4.00/4.16W	6.62/4.36/4.46W	3.96/3.4/3.4/5.07W
Power Use (Active)	7.76/9.29/7.83/7.63/8.35W	9.87/7.80/8.12W	4.85/5.3/5.3/8.33W
Load/Unload Cycles	600K	600K	600K
Workload Rating	550TB (Annual)	550TB (Annual)	180TB (Annual)
MTBF (Hrs)	2.0/2.5Million	2.5Million	1Million
Warranty	5 Years	5 Years	3 Years

Synology HAT3300 Plus HDDs – How Has Synology Approached NAS Compatibility on these drives?

This is one area in presentation by Synology that I really think they have done considerably better with the launch of the HAT3300 than previous Synology storage media releases. Previously, when Synology rolled out new enterprise hardware in both NAS and media form, one area of contention was limited compatibility. It makes sense and is largely industry practice for high-level enterprise solutions to arrive as complete single ecosystem solutions whereby both the server and media are supplied by a single provider, and Synology has certainly pursued the unified storage market in this way by limiting official support of their enterprise-grade systems to only support their enterprise drives. However, for users in the mid-range, prosumer and even SMB markets that want to stretch their budget towards Synology hardware designed a little more for enterprise, the restrictions towards these drives have made budgeting a little more difficult. This is in stark contrast with the arguably more flexible approach that Synology has taken towards support on their Plus series drives with mid-range and value series Synology NAS hardware. The Synology HAT3300 Plus series is chiefly designed for their Plus, Standard, Value, and DVA systems. However, CRUCIALLY, you are not fixed to only use these drives in these more affordable systems. The HAT3300 drives arrive as a choice between them and the WD/ Seagate/ Toshiba alternatives.

Key: ✗ = Not Compatible, ✓ = Compatible, L/C Limited Compatibility

Classification	Enterprise SATA	Enterprise SAS	Domestic SATA
Series Name	Enterprise/XS	Enterprise/XS	PLUS
FS / All-flash array	✗	✗	✗
HD / High density	✗	✓	✗
SA / High scalability	✓	✓	✗
UC / iSCSI/FC SAN	✗	✓	✗
RS XS / Rackstation Ent	✓	✗	✗
RS+ / Rackstation SMB	✓	✗	L/C
DS XS / Desktop Ent	✓	✗	✗
DS+ / Desktop SMB	L/C	✗	✓
DVA / AI Powered NVR	L/C	✗	✓
DS / Value	✗	✗	✓
J / Entry Level	✗	✗	✓

Interestingly, it is when we look at deploying the Synology HAT3300 drives in more enterprise-level systems that we see Synology opt-in to not support these drives in these higher-end systems. There are both pros and cons to this move that I can see. On the plus side, it would have been very easy for Synology to allow the use of these drives in their enterprise-level systems and present users with the illusion of choice of opting between enterprise or regular class drives in their higher-end systems and make these higher-tier servers more palatable as a single ecosystem solution. I am therefore impressed that the brand did not opt for this easy/quick buck that would have been almost immediately highlighted by critics as a cash grab and undermining the key arguments the brand has stated regarding only enterprise drives in their enterprise systems to date. However, there is no denying that some are going to be disappointed and hope you could use these more affordable first-party drives in larger Synology SA/XS/UC systems and leverage their budget a little bit more towards power than storage. It’s going to be a point of contention to some. Regardless, overall, I think Synology has made the right call on this occasion in compatibility in order to maintain their position on enterprise-level systems, whilst not restricting or locking compatibility on lower and mid-tier solutions.

When Will the HAT3300 Plus HDDs be released, and How Much Will They Be?

The release of the new Synology HAT 3300 hard drive is clearly very imminent. Information on these drives has been directly and indirectly appearing online now for a number of weeks and with the recent rollout of Synology DSM 7.2 and a number of key mid to high-level Synology NAS hardware seeing refreshes in the next 6 months, now is a very good time to roll out these new regular class NAS hard drives and..well.. they did! Launch day is today (31/-5/23). Thanks to price feeds and listings for these drives appearing on multiple websites online, the pricing of all four capacities of the HAT3300 drives that will be launched can be confirmed moderately accurately and are as follows:

Synology HAT3300-4TB = $89 (Check Amazon)

Synology HAT3300-6TB = $149 (Check Amazon)

Synology HAT3300-8TB = $189 (Check Amazon)

Synology HAT3300-12TB = $249 (Check Amazon)