Synology RS1226+/RP+ overview
As the second quarter moves along and the summer is in full swing, Synology has another RS model refresh ready with imminent release. Following the 1U RS826+/RP+ model back in June, this time around, we will get a somewhat anticipated 8-bay model. This particular 8-bay 2U model was not refreshed since its predecessor back in 2020, the RS1221+. Well, looks like the time has arrived, and while it has almost no changes compared to the previous model, the new RS1226RP+ was, in fact, updated on several fronts.
Reliable 2U Storage for Data-Driven SMBs
Let's mention the usual hardware suspects out of the way first. The CPU and RAM remain identical to the previous model with a well-known, quad-core AMD Ryzen V1500B, and 4GB of DDR4 ECC memory. The total number of RAM slots remains at two, with a maximum capacity of 32GB of supported memory.
Robust Storage Server for Office Applications
The 8-bay 2U RS1226RP+ is designed to help small to medium-sized businesses consolidate their data management onto one system. Built-in data protection solutions and easy hardware expandability make it an excellent option for applications that require dependable and cost-
effective data storage
As mentioned, this is a 2U rack 8-bay model that supports up to 12 drives when combined with a new RX426 expansion unit. While on the subject of this expansion support, unlike the 2021 model that used an eSATA port, the new RS1226RP+ uses a new USB-C connector.
On the back of the unit, apart from the expansion port changes, we can see that the Ethernet ports have also been replaced and upgraded. Unlike the current four 1GbE ports, the new RS model now arrives with a dual 2.5G LAN connector.
Two 80 mm vents on each side are the main source of output ventilation, and a dual 550W power supply (only in the RP+ version) is still positioned in the middle of the device.
RS1226RP+ highlights
Consistent Performance
Over 2,300/1,500 MB/s sequential read/write throughput supports everyday office workloads
Simple Scalability
Effortlessly scale to 12 drive bays with one Synology RX426 Expansion Unit
Flexible Networking
Two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports with optional 10/25GbE NICs and Fibre Channel adapters maximize connectivity
Redundant Power
Two power supplies adds resiliency and ensures better business continuity
Comprehensive Backups
Protect your IT infrastructure with license-free solutions for backup, replication, and recovery
Synology Tiering automates data management across performance and capacity tiers for reliable, optimized data storage. By moving your cold data to the most cost-effective tier, it helps maximize storage efficiency for improved storage economics. The RS1226RP+ can be configured for hot or
cold data storage depending on your requirements
Luka Manestar
Moving inside the unit, not much has changed compared to the previous model. The RS1226RP+ still supports 3,5" and 2.5" SATA drives, and on top of this, Synology has also introduced a dual M.2 slot for their branded NVMe drives.
Yes, speaking of drives and disks in general, as somewhat expected, the RS1226+ will officially only work with Synology-branded disks. This includes both the Plus and Enterprise HAT3300 and HAT5300 series.
Unlike other 2U x26 models, the RS1226+ also has a PCIe expansion port, but still Gen3 x8, so utilizing it for upcoming AI-assisted GPU support will not be an option. However, we will have the option to expand it with an additional 10/25GbE network cards as before.
Everything else remains the same in terms of size and weight. Being a rack model, it is 19" across (48 cm), but the depth will depend on the actual version of this unit. The RP+ device is 10 cm longer and can only be fitted using a rail kit, while the "+" model, the non-PSU redundant one, can also be directly mounted inside a rack with no need for rails (those remain optional). This also makes the "+" model almost 2 kg lighter with a single 250W PSU.
The RS1226+/RP+ comes with a 3-year Synology warranty with an option to buy an additional 2 years via the extended warranty plus program.
Luka Manestar
The pricing has not yet been officially announced, but we can expect it in the same range as for the RS1221+. However, the overall pricing will go up depending on compatible drives that will be used, as 3rd party ones are not officially supported.
In due time, the model will arrive for testing, at which point we will conduct proper testing to see if and what are the benefits this decent rack model can offer for its price point for both small and medium-sized customers.
