Synology makes some of the best Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions on the market, and they are all powered by its DiskStation Manager (DSM) software platform. In our reviews, we always appreciated the flexibility and ease of use of DSM. Synology is now working on finalizing a new version of its software - DSM 7.0, which promises to bring many upgrades and new features to an already excellent platform. If you want to know more about what’s new, how to join the DMS 7.0 Beta program, and which models are compatible, read this news article:

DiskStation Manager 7 Beta wants to revolutionize the way you manage your Synology NAS

The upcoming Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7 has a long list of novelties:

Storage Manager in DSM 7

• A redesigned Storage Manager that brings new performance optimization features and more safeguards against data degradation. It is going to be easier to troubleshoot, monitor, and maintain your Synology NAS. Also, the new version includes SSD cache enhancements that allow three-times faster SSD cache write-backs.
• Active Insight includes centralized and intuitive dashboards for PCs and mobile devices that let you monitor all Synology NAS devices registered under the same Synology Account. You can keep track of system and storage health, as well as receive event notifications in real time, like data-based early warnings or indicators of possible system failure.
• Improved user management and security, with Secure SignIn via 2-factor authentication and hardware security keys. The new version makes it easy to delegate predefined roles to non-administrator users and spend less time managing IT resources. Also, a new optimized system update mechanism reduces downtime during system updates by up to 80%.
• There is a new Synology Drive Admin Console that helps monitor and track server health status, client device info, synchronization status, externally shared files and usage trends. You can grant granular public sharing control, track publicly shared files, and audit logs of sharing activities. The new version has more advanced data control features and a more intuitive user experience for file sharing and collaboration.
• A new Synology Photos application allows users to back up photos from their mobile devices or cameras, as well as browse, filter with extended options, and organize your images. You can create dedicated albums, so that photos that meet specific criteria are added automatically. Synology Photos is an entirely local solution, which means that no network connectivity is required to perform tasks such as facial recognition, a mandatory requirement for absolute privacy.
• Synology Hybrid Share allows users to combine the speed of on-premises Synology NAS with the scalability of Synology C2 Storage. For example, you can connect your on-premises Synology NAS with Synology C2 cloud storage and keep all data in the cloud, while retaining only frequently used data in a local cache on the NAS for fast and low-latency access.
• A new Fibre Channel protocol brings high availability and low latency to mission-critical storage networks (SAN).
• A complete lineup of backup solutions for business, which features AES-256 encryption and compatibility with plenty of platforms: Linux, Microsoft 365, G Suite, and more.

The video presentation below also offers a good overview of what’s next in DiskStation Manager 7:

The list of new features, changes, and improvements is very long. Synology published a good overview of what’s new on the DiskStation Manager 7 Beta page. You can also read the Release Notes for more technical information, including the list of compatible Synology NAS models.

Join the BETA now, final availability in 2021

You can download the BETA version today by clicking the Join Beta button and following the join wizard.

Join the DiskStation Manager 7 Beta

When the BETA program is over, and Synology fixes all the bugs, Synology DiskStation Manager 7 will become available as a free update for all NAS models that are compatible with the new version.

What is your opinion about the DiskStation Manager 7 Beta?

If you don’t run mission-critical services on your Synology NAS, you may want to join the BETA program today and see what’s new. After you install it and give it a try, don’t hesitate to come back and leave a comment describing your experience with DMS 7.0. Is it a significant upgrade, as indicated by Synology’s overview, or does it have issues in need of fixing? Let us know in the comments.