You’ve likely heard of Synology if you’re a vSphere admin or tech enthusiast. If you’ve done any research into setting up a home lab for testing and learning, you’ve come across the Synology DiskStation DS1621+. Coupled with VMware vSphere, you can create a powerful and versatile virtualization environment to help you learn and implement enterprise virtualization, networking, and storage to keep your skills sharp. This blog series will dive into the DS1621+’s capabilities and how I use it with vSphere.

The Synology DiskStation DS1621+ is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that runs the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system. With six storage bays, the DS1621+ provides ample storage capacity for VMs and files. In addition, the DSM OS provides a range of features and applications that can extend and protect your home lab setup, including backup and disaster recovery, virtual machine management, and more.

I have wanted a NAS for my home lab for many years as it provides a key capability that is extensively coupled with virtualization in enterprise IT: shared storage. Often with home labs, we have to make compromises replicating what we use in the real world. But the DS1621+ provides extensive network protocols, namely NFS and iSCSI, to extend storage capacity to vSphere.

Together, the DiskStation DS1621+ and VMware vSphere can provide a powerful virtualization solution for your home lab. The DS1621+ provides reliable and scalable storage for your VMs, while vSphere provides the virtual infrastructure you’re accustomed to. Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just starting out, the DS1621+ with vSphere is a powerful and versatile platform for your home lab.

In upcoming posts, I will deep dive into the hardware driving the DS1621+ and how I use it on a daily basis. In the meantime, check out the DiskStation DS1621+ on Synology.com.

This review is based on a product that was provided to me free of charge for testing and providing an honest review. The views and opinions expressed in this review are solely my own and do not reflect the views or opinions of the manufacturer or any other party.