ioSafe N2: A Disaster-Resistant Synology DS213
by Ganesh T S on March 4, 2013 12:00 PM ESTPerformance Benchmarks - Multiple Clients
We put the ioSafe N2 / Synology DS213 through some IOMeter tests with a SMB share being accessed from up to 25 VMs simultaneously. The following four graphs show the total available bandwidth and the average response time while being subject to different types of workloads through IOMeter. IOMeter also reports various other metrics of interest such as maximum response time, read and write IOPS, separate read and write bandwidth figures etc. Selected metrics from the evaluation of the ioSafe N2 are available here.
Some of the data points for the average response time are beyond the plotted range in the graphs below. This is done on purpose to keep the scales consistent across evaluation of different NAS units. The 'missing' numbers can be seen in the evaluation summary. In any case, the metrics show that the ioSafe N2 / Synology DS213 provides very good performance for scenarios involving around 10 to 12 simultaneous clients. Beyond that, NAS units with dual network interfaces and more powerful processors are required.
A better point of comparison is the Synology DS211+ which we tested in the initial testbed build process. The scales are different (which is why we decided not to link the plots directly here), but the performance in terms of number of simultaneous clients remains approximately the same.
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zepi - Monday, March 4, 2013 - link
"Even the physical theft protection aspect can be easily handled with the Kensington lock feature."Considering that 12mm (half an inch) steel-cables / U-locks are unable to prevent bicycle theft, I really doubt that anything a Kensington lock could be attached to would prevent anyone from stealing the thing.
Cstefan - Monday, March 4, 2013 - link
I've enjoyed demonstrating the worthlessness of these to company bigwigs that about 1 minute with medium duty snips is all it takes.ganeshts - Monday, March 4, 2013 - link
Point noted, but it does act as a first-level deterrent. The unit is really heavy too, and combining these two factors, I think a casual break-in will probably result in the N2 being left alone.Penti - Monday, March 4, 2013 - link
It's actually more a insurance thing from what I gather. As they wouldn't cover something left unattended. It has nothing to do with actual physical security, especially not for server side equipment. Companies tend to lock the computers in computer security cabinets itself in a locked room at the end of the day if they care or has any policy regarding security/theft.robb.moore - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
Penti-You're right. Most companies that care about physical theft security have their equipment in a closet or locked room. That being said, we're releasing a floor mount locking kit for the N2 which allows the N2 to be bolted to the floor or wall. It'll also allow the block all access to all ports and screws (front and back) with a steel panel that can be padlocked into place.
In regards to physical security, it's an issue as with anything - you get what you pay for. Class 3 Bank Vaults cost more than an Ace Hardware padlocks. With ioSafe, we are constantly thinking about what makes the most sense from a cost, weight and user's perspective.
We consider the N2 a building block to help with businesses dealing with vulnerable data. Multiple N2's hidden and synchronizing on the LAN might be a good solution for some businesses. Using a combination of N2's, traditional cloud and offsite vaulting also might work for some businesses. No one solution works for everyone.
Great discussion.
Thanks!
Robb Moore
CEO
ioSafe
sphigel - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
The odds of a bike thief having a bolt cutter are pretty good. The odds of a home burglar having a bolt cutter are significantly less I would think. Without a bolt cutter these Kensington locks would be a pretty strong deterrent.BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
I've had to remove Kensington-style locks at my office from laptops when combinations are forgotten or keys are lost. All that's required is a folding multitool (Gerber, Leatherman, etc.) and couple of minutes to gnaw at the cable after using the knife or saw blade to slice away a bit of the plastic jacket (which isn't necessary depending on cable thickness. Of course, taking out the hard drive and protecting the laptop from metal fragments when cutting down the actual lock to take it apart is a little bit more of a pain, but that can happen at someone's leisure after a theft has happened.secretmanofagent - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
That, and I'm pretty sure they're just going to yank it really hard if they don't want to wait.bbomb - Monday, March 4, 2013 - link
No physical testing of the waterproofness or fireproofness?Samus - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - link
There are some pretty ridiculous videos on YouTube, one involving it being driven over by a bulldozer.