Managing network-attached storage (NAS) efficiently requires careful planning of capacity, redundancy, and RAID configuration. The Synology NAS Calculator is a powerful tool that helps users estimate usable storage, plan RAID setups, and optimize Synology NAS devices for personal or business use.

Synology NAS RAID Calculator

Synology NAS Calculator: Complete Guide

Whether you are a home user, small business, or IT professional, this calculator ensures accurate planning for storage, redundancy, and performance, reducing the risk of errors and maximizing investment value.

What Is a Synology NAS Calculator?

A Synology NAS Calculator is an online tool that allows users to calculate:

Usable storage capacity
RAID configuration impact
Data redundancy and fault tolerance
Storage expansion possibilities

By inputting drive size, number of drives, and RAID type, users can visualize storage outcomes and make informed decisions before purchasing or configuring their Synology NAS.

How to Use the Synology NAS Calculator

Using the calculator is simple and intuitive:

Select Number of Drives: Input the total drives you plan to use.
Enter Drive Capacity: Specify the size of each hard drive or SSD.
Choose RAID Type: Select RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, SHR, or SHR-2.
Click Calculate: The calculator provides:
- Usable storage capacity
- Redundancy/fault tolerance
- Maximum recoverable drives in case of failure

This tool helps users determine the most efficient storage configuration, balancing capacity, performance, and data protection.

Synology NAS Storage Calculation Formula

While Synology NAS devices use different RAID types, the general formulas for usable capacity are:

RAID 0: Usable Capacity = Total Drives × Drive Size (no redundancy)
RAID 1: Usable Capacity = Size of one drive (mirroring for redundancy)
RAID 5: Usable Capacity = (Total Drives – 1) × Drive Size
RAID 6: Usable Capacity = (Total Drives – 2) × Drive Size
RAID 10: Usable Capacity = (Total Drives ÷ 2) × Drive Size
SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID): Flexible calculation depending on drive sizes

Redundancy ensures data protection against drive failures, which varies depending on RAID type.

Example Calculation

Suppose you have:

4 drives of 4TB each
RAID 5 configuration

Usable Capacity = (4 – 1) × 4TB = 3 × 4TB = 12TB

This ensures one drive can fail without losing data, providing fault tolerance.

Example: Using the Synology NAS Calculator

Imagine a small business planning NAS storage:

Number of Drives = 6
Drive Size = 8TB
RAID Type = SHR-2

Steps:

Enter 6 drives.
Enter 8TB per drive.
Select SHR-2.
Click Calculate.

Results:

Usable Capacity ≈ 32TB
Maximum recoverable drives = 2
Redundancy ensures data safety even if 2 drives fail

This helps the business plan storage expansion and ensure data protection effectively.

Benefits of Using the Synology NAS Calculator

Optimize Storage: Maximize usable capacity based on RAID type.
Plan Redundancy: Protect data by understanding RAID fault tolerance.
Time-Saving: Instantly calculate storage without manual effort.
Future-Proofing: Plan for drive expansion and upgrades.
Educational: Learn about RAID types, capacity, and redundancy.

Tips for Using the Calculator Effectively

Check Drive Compatibility: Ensure drives are supported by your Synology model.
Plan Redundancy First: Decide how much fault tolerance is needed.
Consider Mixed Drive Sizes: SHR allows combining different drive sizes efficiently.
Review Expansion Possibilities: Plan for adding more drives in the future.
Update Drive Information: Use accurate drive sizes for precise calculation.

20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Synology NAS Calculator?
A tool to calculate usable storage, RAID configuration, and redundancy for Synology NAS devices.
Is it free to use?
Yes, the calculator is available online for free.
Does it support all RAID types?
Yes, it supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, SHR, and SHR-2.
Can it handle mixed drive sizes?
Yes, SHR allows mixed drive size calculations.
Is it suitable for home users?
Yes, perfect for personal NAS setup planning.
Can it be used for business NAS planning?
Absolutely, helps small and medium businesses plan storage.
Does it show maximum recoverable drives?
Yes, based on RAID type and redundancy.
Can it predict usable capacity accurately?
Yes, it calculates usable storage using RAID formulas.
Is it mobile-friendly?
Yes, accessible from any device with internet access.
Can it help with future expansion planning?
Yes, you can calculate storage after adding more drives.
Does it replace manual RAID calculation?
Yes, it simplifies and speeds up the process.
Can it be used for SSD NAS?
Yes, works for SSD and HDD setups.
Does it consider data redundancy?
Yes, provides information on fault tolerance.
Is it suitable for IT professionals?
Yes, ideal for planning enterprise storage solutions.
Can it estimate total system capacity?
Yes, it calculates total and usable storage.
Does it work for SHR-2 RAID?
Yes, it supports SHR-2 configurations.
Can it handle large drives like 16TB?
Yes, works with any supported drive size.
Does it provide insights on RAID efficiency?
Yes, shows usable vs. total capacity ratios.
Can it help optimize cost vs. capacity?
Yes, helps choose the most efficient storage setup.
Is it educational for learning RAID concepts?
Yes, perfect for understanding storage planning and RAID configurations.

Conclusion

The Synology NAS Calculator is an essential tool for home users, businesses, and IT professionals who want to plan storage efficiently. By calculating usable capacity, redundancy, and RAID configuration, it ensures optimal data protection, performance, and investment value. Whether for personal storage or enterprise NAS solutions, this calculator simplifies planning and guarantees accurate storage management.