Synology DSM 5.1 Complete features list

Synology DSM 5.1 release is just around the corner. If you are wondering what are all the features and improvements that are part of the latest release, you can find the list with new features below.

If you are like me, you are probably asking the same question: when will next version be released and how can Synology improve DSM even further.

Looking at past releases we can expect Synology to release DSM 5.2 in March 2015 and Synology DSM 5.3 in September 2015 if they decide to stick with point release.

We can expect Synology DSM 6.0 in September 2015 if they decide to move on with major release instead of a point release. If not, DSM 6.0 will be released in March 2016, followed by 6.1 in September 2016, DSM 6.2 in March 2017 and DSM 6.3 in September 2017. Synology DSM 7.0 could be released as early as September 2017 if Synology decides to sack 6.3 but could be released in March 2018 if they stick with 7.3 point release. Release dates are only speculation based on previous releases.

Release dates for DSM were: March 2008 – DSM 2.0, March 2009 – DSM 2.1, September 2009 – DSM 2.2, March 2010 – DSM 2.3, September 2010 – DSM 3.0, March 2011 – DSM 3.1, September 2011 – DSM 3.2, March 2012 – DSM 4.0, August 2012 – DSM 4.1, March 2013 – DSM 4.2, August 2013 – DSM 4.3, March 2014 – DSM 5.0, October / November 2014 – DSM 5.1.

I would really like to see Deduplication added to Synology DSM in the future release, that would make it the ultimate backup and file storage repository.

New features / improvements in DSM 5.1

1. Security Advisor
   • Security Advisor is a DSM security application that scans your DSM settings and Synology NAS and recommends changes that help keep your Synology NAS safe.
2. AppArmor
   • AppArmor kernel security module is now enabled in DSM. Each system program is associated with a security profile that restricts the capabilities, protecting against unknown threats from malicious software.
3. Service by Interface
   • You can set the network interface that each service will use.
4. App Privileges
   • You can assign application privileges for local and domain groups.
   • IP-based access rules allow you to define application privileges for different locations.
5. Package Center
   • Trust level protects you from installing altered packages or packages from unknown sources on your Synology NAS.
6. 2-step verification enforcement
   • 2-step verification can be enforced on admin groups or all users.
7. Backup and Replication
   • You can now back up data from any Synology NAS (A) to a volume on another Synology NAS (B) using its non-admin account (on B) with network backup destination privileges.
   • New backup destination support for Azure, SFR S3, and hi-cloud S3.
   • The following packages can now be backed up via the built-in Backup & Replication feature: VPN Server, DNS Server, Mail Server, Proxy Server, RADIUS Server, Directory Server, and Asterisk.
8. LUN Backup
   • iSCSI LUN backup performance has been enhanced by 169%, as illustrated in the below comparison:

LUN Backup	DSM 5.0	DSM 5.1	Improvement
Local Backup	445 MB/s	863 MB/s	94 %
Network Backup	129 MB/s	348 MB/s	169 %

• iSCSI LUN Snapshots
  • You can set a schedule for iSCSI LUN application-consistent snapshot to continuously protect your LUN.
  • You can lock a specific snapshot to prevent it from being removed by retention policy.
• VMware VAAI NAS
  • Two primitives are supported for NFS protocol: Full File Clone and Reserve Space.
  • Please install the Synology NFS Plug-in for VMware VAAI and read the instructions in README.txt to make sure the installation is successful.
• UNMAP Support for Windows Server 2012
  • Supports UNMAP command to support Storage Space Reclamation which can be triggered by file deletion or a file system level trim.
• SSD Cache
  • You can now create a read-only cache with one SSD.
  • SSD read hit rate is displayed in real-time as well as daily, weekly, and monthly intervals.
  • SSD cache advisor helps you to determine the required SSD cache size.
• High Availability
  • Read/Write SSD Cache is now supported for HA cluster.
• File Station
  • You can manage and transfer files to another WebDAV/FTP server. FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and WebDAV over HTTPS are supported.
  • A simple e-mail client allows you to share files as attachments.
  • You can share files to DSM users and they will receive notifications.
  • You can now play music using the built-in audio player.
• IPv6
  • VPN client, Log Center, QuickConnect and DDNS now support IPv6.
• Static Route and Multiple Gateways
  • You can set the default gateway on each network interface.
  • You can define the static route based on your network environment.
  • IP Routing Table lets you view how network packets will be routed.
• Storage Analyzer
  • Storage Analyzer allows you to quickly view overall usage trends of your Synology NAS, create and manage tasks to analyze storage spaces, and generate detailed reports on volume usage.
  • You can select report types, set a schedule to generate periodic storage reports, and easily view previous reports that match the specified time or criteria.
• Storage Manager (for RS10613xs+, RS3413xs+, RS3614xs, RS3614RPxs, RS3614xs+ only)
  • You can now create volumes up to 200 TB large.
  • You can create RAID groups and RAID arrays. A RAID Group for Multiple Volumes or iSCSI LUNs (Block-Level) that use RAID 5 or RAID 6 may contain multiple RAID Arrays.
  • Synology Hybrid RAID is no longer supported.
• Log Center
  • Supports IPv6 for log sending and receiving.
  • Supports customized log formats.
• Text Editor
  • You can now use hotkeys to quickly perform common actions.
  • You can convert between Traditional and Simplified Chinese text.
• DSM Desktop
  • Push notifications can now be sent via Chrome and Safari.
  • You can change the main menu style to drop-down.
  • You can change the size of Desktop icons to be smaller.
• Misc
  • You can set global rules for all interfaces in Firewall.
  • You can set default permissions for external drives.
  • You can define each FTP user’s root folder to be a folder other than their home folder.
  • You can choose to filter Domain Users and Groups by Organizational Unit.
  • A command line based FTP client is built-in for automated tasks.
  • SSH port can now be customized.
  • Python core is now built-in.

What’s New in Packages

1. Note Station
   • Note Station helps you fully enjoy writing, viewing, managing, and sharing content-rich notes. It is very easy to create content with rich text editing, media embedding, attachments, and much more. Manage your notes by using tags and grouping notes into Notebooks. When you are ready, Note Station makes sharing your content via social networking platforms simple and quick. Create, share, and enjoy!
2. Cloud Station
   • Syncs data according to Unix or Windows ACL privileges.
   • Supports syncing encrypted shared folders.
   • Administrators can control the file type and file size specific users can sync.
   • Offers in-app log, and records activities in Log Center.
   • Versioning can be disabled to reduce storage consumption.
   • Cloud Station Client offers MSI, DEB, and RPM installers for Windows and Linux computers.
   • Cloud Station Client for Mac now supports retina icons.
   • Cloud Station Client for DiskStation can now selectively sync data.
3. Cloud Sync
   • Added support for Microsoft OneDrive, Box, and hubiC.
   • Selectively syncs folders.
   • Filters specific file types, file size and files.
   • Offers bandwidth control.
   • Offers syncing history.
4. CardDAV Server (coming soon)
   • CardDAV Server provides address book access and synchonization. Address books on CardDAV Server can be edited and viewed on mobile phone or computer, and address books will be synchronized at all client devices connecting to CardDAV Server.
5. Proxy Server
   • Proxy Server provides caching and access control for HTTP-based services. With caching, you can reserve caching storage space on your Synology NAS to store HTTP-based content from the web. You can also use Proxy Server to deny users from accessing restricted web services, keeping your network safe and productive.
6. VPN Server
   • IPv6 is now supported for OpenVPN.
7. Glacier Backup
   • You can restore data at the file-level instead of whole archives through the new Explore feature. You can also now remove a specific file or folder from Amazon Glacier.
   • Added support for file-deduplication within the same backup task, saving your Amazon storage space tremendously.
8. Video Station
   • A new home page lets you view recently added, released, or watched videos at first glance.
   • A real-time filter allows you to find your favourite videos quickly, and save the result as a smart collection.
   • View the display in three different modes – Thumbnail, Tile, and List View.
   • “Watched” status on each video helps you keep track of videos you have already watched.
   • Retrieve online subtitles when starting to play a movie.
   • Share a video collection via a sharing link, allowing anyone with the link to play the videos without having a DSM account. The page is optimized for display on desktop and mobile browsers.
   • Video information will be saved as files for data backup.
9. Audio Station
   • Rate your songs in your library and categorize your music by rating.
   • Search results will be displayed according to artist, album, and song title.
   • Share your favourite playlist via a sharing link, which is optimized for display on computer and mobile browsers.
   • Gapless playback in web streaming (original files only, not including transcoded stream).
   • Supports DSD format playback (select models).
   • Supports multiple Bluetooth speakers playback.
   • The volume of multiple players can be adjusted individually.
   • Downgrading from DSM 5.1 beta version to former versions might result in browsing issues with personal libraries.
10. Photo Station
    • The timeline mode now displays more photos.
    • Various transition effects are offered in Slideshow.
    • Set your favourite music to play in the background during a slideshow.
    • Share photos in a virtual collection optimized for display on computer and mobile browsers.
11. Download Station
    • Redesigned visual style.
    • Added support for mega.co.nz.
    • Supports retaining up to 5 different BitTorrent search results.
12. Mail Server
    • Mail Server can scan messages for potentially dangerous content.
    • You can send daily reports about the status of Mail Server. The report will include summaries of hourly traffic, delivered/received messages, deferred/rejected messages, SMTP delivery failures, warnings, and the quantity of senders and recipients.
    • Added support for intermediate certificates.
    • Added advanced anti-spam setting, and reject the spam client connection.
    • Added daily sending quota to limit each user’s outbound mails.
    • Added mail server setting check to analyze potential weaknesses.
    • Added support for app privilege.
13. PACS
    • PACS is a clinical data management application that can be used to store, access, transfer, and manage medical images and digital reports in DICOM format.
14. Ruby
    • Ruby is an object-oriented open source programming language with a focus on productivity and simplicity.
15. Node.js
    • Node.js is a platform built on Chrome’s JavaScript runtime and is becoming widely popular for developers to build fast and scalable network applications.
16. Python Module
    • Python Module package now provides supplemental extensions for Python 2.7.
17. iTunes Server
    • Album covers are now displayed.

What’s New in Mobile Apps (Coming Soon)

1. DS audio for Android
   • Refreshed interface and improved usability.
   • Rating your songs and listening to playlists of rated songs is now supported (Audio Station 5.3 required).
   • Sharing your songs (via links on social networks or email) is now supported (Audio Station 5.3 required).
   • Added a sleep timer to control playback.
   • Multiple AirPlay/Bluetooth devices with independent volume controls can be paired up from DS audio (Audio Station 5.3 required).
   • Search results can now be sorted by artists, albums, or a song list.
   • Playlists can now be renamed within DS audio.
2. DS audio for iPhone/iPad
   • Refreshed interface and improved usability.
   • Rating your songs and listening to playlists of rated songs is now supported (Audio Station 5.3 required).
   • Sharing your songs (via links on social networks or email) is now supported (Audio Station 5.3 required).
   • Added a sleep timer to control playback.
   • Multiple AirPlay/Bluetooth devices with independent volume controls can be paired up from DS audio (Audio Station 5.3 required).
   • Search results can now be sorted by artists, albums, or a list of songs.
   • The progress bar has been redesigned on iPads for better control.
   • Playlists can now be renamed within DS audio.
3. DS file for Android
   • You can now use apps which support Android 4.4 Document Provider to open and modify documents directly on your Synology NAS.
4. DS file for iPhone/iPad
   • DS file now integrates an built-in player for more convenience and enhanced playback capabilities.
5. DS photo+ for Android
   • Photos can be downloaded to the offline library (includes automatic caching of browsed photos).
   • Added a timeline view to browse albums chronologically (Photo Station 6.1 required).
   • Added a light box to easily access key info (title, description, tags, comments and metadata).
   • Location and general tags can now be applied within DS photo+.
   • You can now move photos between different albums.
   • Added support for sharing photos via links on social networks or emails (Photo Station 6.2 Beta required).
6. DS photo+ for iPhone/iPad
   • Added a timeline view to browse albums chronologically (Photo Station 6.1 required)
   • Added a light box to easily access key info (title, description, tags, comments and metadata)
   • Location and general tags can now be applied within DS photo+.
   • Added support for sharing photos via links on social networks or emails (Photo Station 6.2 Beta required).
   • Added an option to allow background uploading under certain conditions determined by iOS 7.
   • Instant Upload now detects photos from services such as AirDrop or saved from SMS.
7. DS cloud for Android
   • Added support for sharing a file via a link on social networks or emails.
   • You can now disable background sync to reduce power consumption and data usage.
   • Added support for IPv6.
8. DS cloud for iPhone/iPad
   • Added support for sharing a file via a link on social networks or emails.
   • DS cloud now opens a pdf document at the last page you read up to.
   • Improved performance when using QuickConnect.
   • Added support for IPv6.
9. DS video for Android
   • New style and improved usability.
   • DS video now remembers the most recent video position.
   • Improved connection time when using QuickConnect.
   • The following features require Video Station 1.4 Beta:
     • You can now view and edit the “watched” status of videos.
     • The search function now allows combining filters to find videos more efficiently.
     • Search results can be saved into smart collections.
     • Improved remote player: you can now re-attach and take back control over a player.
     • Retrieve online subtitles when starting to play a movie.
     • Added support for sharing videos via links on social networks or email.
     • Added a “Recently released” category for more convenience.
10. DS video for iPhone/iPad
    • New style and improved usability.
    • DS video now remembers the most recent video position.
    • You can now view codec and file info from the movie info page.
    • Thumbnail and tile viewing modes are now available for both iPad and iPhone versions.
    • DS video can leverageDS file player to enhance playback capabilities (requires DS file 5.2 installed on the iDevice).
    • The following features require Video Station 1.4 Beta:
      • You can now view and edit the “watched” status of videos.
      • The search function now allows combining filters to find videos more efficiently.
      • Search results can be saved into smart collections.
      • Improved remote player: you can now re-attach and take back control over a player.
      • Retrieve online subtitles when starting to play a movie.
      • Added support for sharing videos via links on social networks or email.
      • Added a “Recently released” category for more convenience.
11. DS note for Android
    • Create notes with the rich text editor and add attachments (offline editing supported).
    • Create, delete, move notes and edit note information.
    • Apply tags and add shortcuts.
    • Share notes and notebooks with friends and family (Note Station account and public link sharing both supported).
    • Restore notes from previous versions (history) or from Recycle Bin.
    • Find content you need within your note collection using the advanced search.
    • Encrypt an individual note.
    • Connect via HTTPS for a secure connection.
    • Requires Android 4.0 and onwards.
12. DS note for iPhone/iPad
    • Create notes with the rich texteditor and add attachments (offline editing supported).
    • Create, delete, move notes and edit note information.
    • Apply tags and add shortcuts.
    • Share notes and notebooks with friends and family (Note Station account and public link sharing both supported).
    • Restore notes from previous versions (history) or from Recycle Bin.
    • Find content you need within your note collection using the advanced.
    • Encrypt an individual note.
    • Connect via HTTPS for a secure connection.
    • Requires iOS 6.0 and onwards (*iPod touch 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations, iPhone 3G, and iPad 1st generation cannot upgrade to iOS 6.0, and will not be able to run DS note).

You should know that Synology has EOL Data Replicator. Mac users can use Time Machine to backup the system. Windows users have a bigger issue, they can use Built in backup (depending on Windows version one works better than the other), 3rd party solution or they can use Cloud station for the backup