Source
r/qnap•
rna_errors

On the fence new NAS - Qnap / Synology

Let me start by saying my preference is to go Qnap. I believe they are working to secure their software and will be even more vigilant going forward than someone not hit as they have been. Performance, components, etc. etc. Qnap > Synology. My concern licensing. When Boxsafe was released in July all the articles state it is free up to 10,000 users / account 365 / GSuite. However I see it on the Qnap store (this subscription thing was pointed out to me tonight) for $100/year. Which is it? That was a factor in my decision that I am reconsidering given that in 3 years at least $300 will go to pay for this alone much less other software that ends up being necessary that Synology gives away.

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Can someone clarify this for me? Thanks

Posted Oct 13, 2020, 6:54 AM UTC

627
AssaultedCracker•

Do yourself a favour and just buy Synology. I’ve used both and will never buy a QNAP again. Sure you get better components but the extra software and security headaches you’ll encounter mean you will end up not using many of the features of the NAS that you paid for.

For example, I went QNAP in order to get the HDMI port. Well, that thing is functionally useless. So I got it for nothing.

2
MoleculA87•

You forgot to mention about performance differences between Qnap and Synology. To be fair for the money you pay and buy a unit from QNAP, Synology offers you garbage from the past, but spruced with a nice software package so that you won’t cry that much when you see the network speed for the money paid!)) so not only hdmi and security matters but performance. I got mine 472xt a week ago, right now it’s shared online via open VPN with only 1 port on the outside (the NAT), so it’s close to brilliant secure. I’ve read two articles from here and an official manual and I am sure I won’t have any problems with security. If you are lazy - don’t buy any NAS. NAS is not an iPhone, it’s a small server and you should know what you’re doing or at least how to read manuals and use gathered information 😉

2
AssaultedCracker•

Lol, blame the user, hey? As I said, I’ve used both. I have setup Synology for small businesses but I stupidly bought a QNAP for my own use. I’m capable of running a NAS. It’s not about being lazy, it’s about wanting things to work right when they’re configured right, and it’s about having a semblance of proper security on QNAP’s side, the part that I can’t control. For example, can you tell me how Qsnatch infects? No you can’t. Theres a good chance it’s through something the user can’t control at all, it could be coming soon to your NAS through a QNAP update, who knows? There’s a reason QNAP is plagued by these issues while Synology is not.

1
BobZelin•

Mr Cracker writes -

"For example, can you tell me how Qsnatch infects? No you can’t. Theres a good chance it’s through something the user can’t control at all, it could be coming soon to your NAS through a QNAP update, who knows?"

https://forum.qnap.com/viewtopic.php?t=156237

https://www.reddit.com/r/qnap/comments/fd0g71/psa_im_having_a_meeting_with_qnap_staff_about/

https://www.reddit.com/r/qnap/comments/fd0g71/psa_im_having_a_meeting_with_qnap_staff_about/

It turns out that Vortex_Wyvern was instrumental in helping us see what the vectors were for QSnatch. And for the record, QSnatch was resolve in less than 2 weeks.

Of course, Mr. Cracker says that Synology NEVER EVER has a virus issue -

well, lets see -

https://community.synology.com/enu/forum/1/post/124323

https://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-crooks-hit-synology-nas-devices-with-brute-force-password-attacks/

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I guess the modern 2020 term for Mr. Cracker's comments are called FAKE NEWS.

Bob Zelin

2
AssaultedCracker•

Mr Zelin, fake news is either 1) an article that purports to be news and looks like news but is actually completely made up, or 2) a term used by tyrants to delegitimize the actual media that report negative stories about them. It doesn’t look good for anyone to use it to refer to anything but #1.

What I have referenced here is a well-established opinion, shared by many, that QNAP has undue security flaws. I appreciate you sharing the infection vectors, I was unaware that those had been identified and shared. Somehow many people have been unaware of those here as well, even recently. But you’ll notice in that first link you yourself shared, a conclusion someone reached was that QNAP is still not taking security seriously. So it’s not like I’m making this stuff up.

I didn’t say Synology never has virus issues, but it’s very telling to me that you had to choose those particular examples to make your point. One was a user who placed his NAS in a DMZ. That’s hardly s synology issue. The other is a reference to brute force attacks, which is more an issue with password strength than anything else. Neither of those is remotely comparable to Qsnatch which was a security vulnerability in QNAP’s code itself.

0
MoleculA87•

You can control everything you want with terminal commands, GUI however is limited, so don’t over exaggerate the problem. I agree GUI could be better, but I personally OK with crappy gui with good hardware over literally $h*t hardware with nice looking gui. They are on the path of improvement, I am satisfied with my QNAP the speed is a freaking riding the lightning! And I am waiting for my i7 8700t to install inside with 2x 32gb ram, add to this thunderbolt 3 support. What Synology unit is comparable?)) is there one at least?)

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BobZelin•

I find it interesting that you hate QNAP yet you continue to participate on their forums.

Bob Zelin

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AssaultedCracker•

Because I unfortunately still have one and have to deal with its bullshit. I asked for a refund so that I could leave this forum but didn’t even get a reply.

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rna_errorsOP•

Ah. A refund frees you from the requirement of coming here and spewing hate? How much you want for that and what model is it? Total storage? And age. Let's talk numbers. Not promising anything but.....

1
AssaultedCracker•

“Hate”? That’s a little sensitive, wouldn’t you say? We’re talking about a piece of equipment, and I’ve said I wouldn’t buy it again. Where are you getting hate from?

I would sell the NAS without drives for the price I paid new. You’re welcome to it and I’ll send you specs if you’re up for that.

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LavaCreeper•

Bloody hell, what is up with QNAP fanatics here. I've used both as well, first Synology then QNAP, and I'd also go for a Synology if I could go back. Little pricier, but QNAP's software is simply too clunky. They have a ton of different packages whose functionality more or less overlaps, riddled with little bugs and inconveniences.

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rgh0•

getting back to the question and away from the rants....

The choice between Synology and Qnap ( and other NAS) is driven by 2 key areas IMHO

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  1. What do you want to do with the NAS.
  2. What performance level are you looking for it to do what you want

For me with relatively simple needs around the NAS being part of a robust back up system approach and with a desire to do those back ups as quickly as possible over a 10 Gbe network the choice was easy as a QNAP solution was far cheaper than a comparatively capable Synology and better in terms of software and flexibility and documentation and support and expansion options than anything else not Synology. That included looking at building my own back up / file server and using something like Unraid or Freenas

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if you have relatively low performance need but relatively complex things you want to do with a NAS you may find Synology an easier and potentially better option

2
SJSRE•

"This version of Boxafe is completely license-free, and it can backup G suite or Microsoft 365® in multiple domains with a maximum account limit of 10,000 per domain. " i will ask for clarification via help.

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rna_errorsOP•

Thank you.

1
Fluffer_Wuffer•

I have concerns with this as well - As fact is, when you buy a NAS, you pay way over the actual material cost, the expectancy is that will cover most software.

Saying that, my understanding is Synology tried this not so long ago, with their backup software, but it basically backfired and they backtracked. I hold out hope that will happen here..

I have no issue them charging for certain software, i.e. where its business focused and at a limit where a medium-large company would use it, but I noticed the most recent version of QSirch had been hit with this as well, the end result was I simply removed it.

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RedHaze•

This is my personal opinion, do not consider QNAP. My TS-832X has been nothing short of underwhelming. I bought the PCI m.2 expansion card that the system just refuses to recognize within the GUI (still magically works though), the system chokes constantly during file transfers even with the aforementioned m.2 expansion, and the cherry on top is that just this past week Disk 2 stopped working, as in, the slot will not recognize any drives inserted into it. Upon contacting support all I got back was akin to "Hi! This drive is not on our supported list, buy another one and try again. Sorry!". If that type of reply is ok with you while your data is on the line then go ahead, I however will sell this as-is to whoever wants to gamble with it and move on.

In short, if I could go back I would've definitely gone with another vendor.

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mughal71•

When you say that you saw the Boxafe $100/yr charge, where was that specifically?

I just installed the Boxafe app on my TS-453Be using the built in App Center to kick the tires and it hasn't prompted me for any fees up front. I'm at a point where it's asking me to input G.Suite domain, domain email address and service key. I would have assumed it would ask for the charge/subscription at the time of install or configuration?

Has anyone else used the Boxafe app on a QNAP device to confirm whether there is a payment requirement?

T.

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rna_errorsOP•

After reading about qsearch requiring a subscription I searched the snap software store on qnap. Com and found many apps listed with monthly fees. My ts-653d doesn't arrive until Friday so until then that's all I have to go on. That and everyone here thankfully saying there is no fee.

So despite misgivings about software fees (possibly) I bought one last night in sale for 70 off. It's true, Synology hardware is yesterdays at best. Not worth it at all.

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