Today, CDRLabs brings you a review of Synology's new entry-level 4-bay NAS, the DiskStation DS418j. Designed for home and personal usage, this energy-efficient NAS is equipped with a 64-bit dual-core 1.4 GHz processor, 1GB of DDR4 RAM, two USB 3.0 ports and a gigabit Ethernet port and is capable of delivering up to 112 MB/s read and 108 MB/s write speeds. The DS418j also runs the latest version of Synology's award-winning DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system which offers a wide range of applications for cross-platform file sharing, data backup, cloud synchronization and multimedia streaming.

QNAP Systems, Inc. has joined forces with Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) to roll out the world’s first Ryzen-based NAS – the high-end business TS-x77 series (available in 6 , 8 , and 12 -bay models). Featuring processors with up to 8-cores/16-threads (with Turbo Core up to 3.7 GHz), SSD caching, and with support for graphics cards, the TS-x77 delivers incredible processing power for driving resource-demanding applications such as VDI, server virtualization, private cloud, and 4K video playback/transcoding.

The TS-x77 series includes models with AMD Ryzen 7 1700 (8-cores/16-threads) and AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (6-cores/12-threads) processors that support AES-NI encryption acceleration and up to 64 GB DDR4 RAM. Two M.2 SATA 6 GB/s SSD slots are provided for cache acceleration or high-performance storage pools. Every model in the series provides USB 3.1 Gen2 10Gbps Type-A and Type-C ports, and three PCIe slots for incredible expansion potential. Supported PCIe devices include a graphics card, 10GbE/40GbE NICs, PCIe NVMe SSD, USB 3.1 expansion cards, and QM2 cards (that add additional M.2 SSDs or 10GbE connectivity). Incorporating incredible performance, reliability and scalability, the TS-x77 series provides an exceptional storage solution for diverse business IT environments.

Seagate Technology plc announced today its SkyHawk AI hard disk drive (HDD), the first drive created specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) enabled video surveillance solutions. Building on Seagate’s 10-year track record of delivering surveillance optimized storage performance, SkyHawk AI provides unprecedented bandwidth and processing power to manage always-on, data-intensive workloads, while simultaneously analyzing and recording footage from multiple HD cameras.

Analytics on video surveillance hardware is growing exponentially, forecasted to increase from 27.6 million shipments in 2016 to 126 million shipments in 2021 (Cropley, 2017), as hardware manufacturers continue to include analytics sensors on network video recorders (NVRs). This will only increase as AI – particularly deep learning and machine learning applications, such as facial recognition and analyzing irregularities in behavior – become increasingly prevalent. In parallel, the need for fast video analytics will continue to rise, increasing the workload burden on NVR storage.

“The use of AI technology in surveillance is steadily increasing - both in the edge and backend installations such as retail fronts and large city traffic management. Seagate has led the surveillance storage market since its early days, a decade ago, by delivering industry leading HDD products that have enabled more than 5X increase in exabytes during this time period,” said Sai Varanasi, vice president product line management at Seagate Technology. “We are excited to introduce smart, purpose-built SkyHawk AI solutions that expand the design space for our customers and partners, allowing them to implement next-generation deep learning and video analytics applications.”

Synology Inc. today launched DS218play, DS218j, and DS118, three feature-rich NAS servers with media streaming, file sharing, and data backup features perfect for home and small offices.

DS218play is equipped with a 64-bit quad-core 1.4 GHz processor with a hardware encryption engine and 1 GB RAM, delivering encrypted sequential reading/writing throughput at over 110 MB/s. Powered by a hardware transcoding engine, DS218play supports real-time single channel 10-bit H.265 4K Ultra HD or single channel full HD video transcoding. This enables users to enjoy videos on the go with no device limits.

DS218j features a dual-core 1.3 GHz processor with a hardware encryption engine and 512 MB RAM, delivering sequential reading throughput at over 113 MB/s and writing throughput at over 112 MB/s. DS218j allows users to experience faster data access while achieving energy efficiency with its eco-friendly design, consuming only 17.48 W during peak usage and 7.03 W under HDD hibernation.

DS118 is a new 1-bay tower NAS, equipped with a 64-bit quad-core 1.4 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM. With its hardware encryption engine, DS118 offers encrypted sequential reading/writing throughput at over 110 MB/s. DS118 is an ideal storage solution that comes with data backup and QuickConnect features that allow users to access data from any location. It also supports 10-bit H.265 4K video transcoding on the fly to enrich multimedia entertainment.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high performance DRAM modules, NAND Flash products, and mobile accessories today launched the UV220 and UV330 USB Flash drives, adding to its extensive range of portable storage devices. The UV220 works in USB 2.0 and is offered in up to 64GB, while the UV320 operates in much faster USB 3.1 and ships in up to 128GB. The two share a capless design where the connector extends and retracts using a quick-slide mechanism. ADATA remains committed to its USB Flash drive global leadership role and will continue releasing new models as market needs evolve.

USB – an evergreen classic for all needs and budgets
From USB 2.0 to USB 3.1 5Gbps, ADATA recognizes demand for diverse USB Flash drives remains strong. Consumers want functionality, style, and ease of use as well as affordability. Hence ADATA delivers: from the entry-level UV220 to the vastly speedier UV320, and their many contemporaries in the ADATA catalog. From 16GB UV220s to 128GB UV320, just these two classic models cover much ground and offer a wealth of options for users that need to quickly save and move data.

Intel today announced the launch of the Intel Optane SSD 900P Series, the first SSD for desktop PC and workstation users built on Intel Optane technology. Intel, in collaboration with Roberts Space Industries, announced the new SSD at CitizenCon, a Star Citizen community gathering in Frankfurt, Germany.

The Intel Optane SSD 900P Series delivers incredibly low latency and best-in-class random read and write performance at low queue depths – up to four times faster than competitive NAND-based SSDs – opening incredible new possibilities. With the new SSDs, users will unlock more potential from their platform. The Intel Optane SSD 900P Series is ideal for the most demanding storage workloads, including 3D rendering, complex simulations, fast game load times and more. Up to 22 times more endurance than other drives also gives the heaviest users peace of mind.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash products, today launched the XPG SX6000 SSD. The product represents a bold move to provide PCI Express storage performance for nearly the same price to end users as that of traditional 2.5” SATA SSD. The SX6000 uses the compact M.2 form factor and reaches 1000MB/s read and 800MB/s write, easily doubling SATA SSD throughput without a relative increase in price. This is part of an ADATA focus on high speed, compact M.2 drives aimed at gamers, overclockers, and PC DIY enthusiasts. The SX6000 meets NVMe 1.2 specs and offers up to 1TB capacity, all at an approachable entry-level alongside its more premium stablemates the SX7000, SX8000, and SX9000.

Twice the speed without a need to spend significantly more
The leading advantage of the SX6000 is embodied in its superb cost-performance ratio. Using 3D TLC NAND, a Realtek controller, NVMe 1.2 technology, and a PCIe Gen3x2 interface, it reaches 1000MB/s read and 800MB/s write. Compared to a typical 500MB/s by 400MB/s on SATA III SSDs, this means doubled performance for less than 10% more spend in same-capacity comparisons. Increasingly, motherboards ship with two and four M.2 slots, up from a single slot on select boards just two years ago. Therefore, PCIe M.2 SSDs are expected to become more normative and the SX6000 encourages this trend as an affordable high speed alternative that works great as an OS drive and mass storage.