Synology Raid Calculator

Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices have become essential for storing, managing, and protecting data. Synology NAS devices are widely popular for their reliability, flexibility, and support for multiple RAID configurations. However, setting up your NAS requires careful planning to balance storage capacity, performance, and redundancy.

Synology RAID Calculator

What is a Synology RAID Calculator?

A Synology RAID Calculator is an online tool that estimates:

  • Usable storage based on the number and size of drives.
  • Total storage available after redundancy.
  • Maximum storage for your NAS.
  • Optimal RAID setup for performance and data protection.

It supports common RAID configurations like RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID).

How to Use the Synology RAID Calculator

  1. Select Your NAS Model – Choose your Synology NAS device.
  2. Input Number of Drives – Enter how many hard drives or SSDs you plan to use.
  3. Enter Drive Capacity – Specify the storage size of each drive.
  4. Choose RAID Type – Options include RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, or SHR.
  5. Calculate – The calculator will show:
    • Usable capacity
    • Redundancy overhead
    • Data protection levels

This helps you plan your NAS setup effectively, balancing capacity, performance, and safety.

RAID Formulas Used in the Calculator

The usable storage capacity depends on the RAID type:

  • RAID 0 (Striped): Usable Capacity = Sum of all drives (no redundancy)
  • RAID 1 (Mirrored): Usable Capacity = Capacity of smallest drive
  • RAID 5: Usable Capacity = (N – 1) × Capacity of smallest drive
  • RAID 6: Usable Capacity = (N – 2) × Capacity of smallest drive
  • RAID 10: Usable Capacity = (N / 2) × Capacity of smallest drive (mirrored and striped)
  • SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID): Usable capacity varies depending on disk sizes and redundancy needs

Where N = number of drives.

Example Calculations

Example 1: Small RAID 1 Setup

  • Number of Drives: 2
  • Disk Size: 4 TB each
  • RAID Type: RAID 1

Usable Capacity = 4 TB
Redundancy = 50% (one drive mirrors the other)

Example 2: Medium RAID 5 Setup

  • Number of Drives: 4
  • Disk Size: 6 TB each
  • RAID Type: RAID 5

Usable Capacity = (4 – 1) × 6 TB = 18 TB
Redundancy = 6 TB

Example 3: SHR with Mixed Drives

  • Number of Drives: 5
  • Disk Sizes: 6 TB, 8 TB, 8 TB, 10 TB, 10 TB
  • RAID Type: SHR (1-disk redundancy)

Usable Capacity ≈ 36 TB
Redundancy ≈ 10 TB

SHR allows mixed drive sizes while maintaining redundancy.

Benefits of Using the Synology RAID Calculator

  • Accurate Storage Estimates – Know exactly how much usable space you’ll have.
  • Data Protection Planning – Choose the RAID type that fits your redundancy needs.
  • Future-Proofing – Plan for adding drives or upgrading capacity.
  • Cost Efficiency – Avoid over-purchasing unnecessary drives.
  • Performance Insight – Understand how RAID types affect read/write speed.

Additional Insights

  • RAID 0 is high-performance but risky, as there is no redundancy.
  • RAID 1 is ideal for critical data in small setups.
  • RAID 5 offers a balance of redundancy and capacity.
  • RAID 6 provides extra protection for large arrays.
  • RAID 10 improves performance and redundancy but requires more drives.
  • SHR is ideal for flexible setups with mixed drive sizes.
  • Leave free space for snapshots, caching, and system operations.

20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a Synology RAID Calculator?
It’s a tool to estimate usable storage and redundancy for Synology NAS devices.

2. Can it calculate RAID for mixed-size drives?
Yes, especially when using SHR.

3. Does it support all RAID types?
Yes, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and SHR.

4. What is SHR?
Synology Hybrid RAID allows flexible storage expansion and redundancy with mixed-size drives.

5. Can I plan future upgrades?
Yes, you can simulate adding drives to see new usable capacity.

6. How is RAID 5 calculated?
Usable Capacity = (Number of Drives – 1) × Capacity of smallest drive.

7. How is RAID 6 calculated?
Usable Capacity = (Number of Drives – 2) × Capacity of smallest drive.

8. Can RAID improve performance?
Yes, RAID 0 and RAID 10 increase read/write speeds through data striping.

9. Is RAID necessary for home NAS users?
For important data, yes. RAID prevents loss from drive failure.

10. Can I mix SSDs and HDDs?
Yes, but performance may be limited by the slowest drive.

11. Does the calculator account for formatting overhead?
Most calculators provide rough estimates; actual space may be slightly less.

12. Can I calculate redundancy needs?
Yes, it shows how much space is used for data protection.

13. How many drives do I need for RAID 10?
Minimum of 4 drives, as it requires mirrored and striped pairs.

14. Is SHR suitable for home use?
Yes, it’s flexible and user-friendly for upgrading storage.

15. Can I recover data if a drive fails?
Yes, with RAID 1, 5, 6, 10, or SHR, data can be rebuilt after replacing the failed drive.

16. Can the calculator be used for enterprise NAS?
Yes, it works for personal, small business, and enterprise setups.

17. Does RAID 0 provide data protection?
No, RAID 0 has no redundancy; one drive failure results in total data loss.

18. Can I calculate storage for backups?
Yes, you can plan NAS storage for backups and secondary copies.

19. Is SHR better than RAID 5 for mixed drives?
Yes, SHR maximizes usable space and maintains redundancy with mixed-size disks.

20. Is it free to use online?
Yes, most Synology RAID calculators are free and easy to access.

Conclusion

A Synology RAID Calculator is an essential tool for anyone setting up a NAS. It helps you plan storage efficiently, choose the right RAID configuration, and maintain redundancy for data protection. By understanding your usable storage and RAID options, you can optimize your Synology NAS for performance, safety, and future expansion.