Synology DiskStation DS216+II

The Synology DiskStation DS216+II ($299.99) is a full-featured NAS device designed for home (as DROBO B810I )and small business users. Equipped with a dual-core processor, numerous connectivity ports, and a generous selection of apps, this two-drive storage device delivered solid file transfer performance in our tests and was a snap to set up. Its intuitive DSM (DiskStation Manager) operating system has a familiar Windows-like look and feel that makes it easy to configure the device whether you're using it as a primary backup solution, a home media server with 4K video transcoding capabilites, a mail server, or a security camera control center. You'll have to supply your own drives, but at just less than $300, it's still a very good deal and is our top pick for two-drive NAS devices.

Design and Features

The DS216+IIBest Price at Amazon is powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron N3060 CPU which runs at 1.6GHz and 1GB of DDR3 memory. It supports up to 20TB of storage (two 10TB drives) and a variety of RAID configurations including Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, and Synology's SHR Hybrid RAID with one-disk fault tolerance. Supported file types for internal drives include Btrfs and EXT4.


The DS216+II's matte black housing measures 6.4 by 4.2 by 9.1 inches (HWD) and its two front-loading drive bays are hidden behind a removable black plastic panel. To the right of the panel are a status indicator, a LAN indicator, drive activity indicators, a USB 3.0 port, a Copy button that offers one-touch file transfers between a connected USB drive and the NAS device, and a power switch. Around back are a gigabit LAN port, two USB 2.0 ports, a reset button, and a power jack. The DS216+II doesn't offer USB-Type C connectivity or an HDMI video output like you get with the Asustor AS6302T, and it lacks the PCIe expansion port that you get with the QNAP TS-253B, but it does have an eSATA port for directly connecting to an external SATA drive.



The DS216+II uses the same DSM operating system as its bigger sibling, the DS1517+$789.00 at Amazon. It has a Windows desktop look and feel, which makes it easy to manage storage, download apps, and protect your data from viruses and other nefarious malware. The desktop contains several preinstalled programs, including the Package Center, which gives you access to more than 70 Synology-branded and third party apps. Here you can download iTunes and Plex server apps, website hosting apps, mail server and bit torrent apps, backup and cloud synchronization apps, and Synology's Surveillance Station app for managing IP security cameras. With Synology's Video Station app and the embedded hardware transcoding engine, you can convert 4K video on the fly and serve it up to clients that normally don't support 4K video playback. Additionally, Synology's Photo Station app makes it easy to bulk upload photos from clients to the DS216+II.

The Control Panel lets you create shared folders, assign user and group rights, and set up firewall parameters. You can also configure network settings and enable push and email notifications that will alert you to any system errors. The File Station allows you to manage files and folders, browse user file sharing activities, and configure remote connections to files. The desktop also offers a System Health window that displays CPU and RAM usage.


Tapping the icon in the upper left corner of the desktop screen takes you to the Main Menu, where you can access a detailed Resource Monitor and use the Storage Manager utility to create volumes, configure RAID settings, and create disk groups. You can also view disk health statistics such as bad sector count, estimated lifespan, operating temperature, and firmware version. Use the Security Advisor to scan for malware and ensure that users have strong passwords and that your NAS apps are up to date. The Help feature offer tips on using the DSM operating system and all installed apps. The DS216+II is covered by a three-year warranty. It ships with a LAN cable, a power cable, and a handful of drive-mounting screws, although they are not really necessary, as the drive trays provide tool-free mounting.
Setup and Performance

Setting up the DS261+II couldn't be easier. After installing two Seagate 6TB HGST SATA drives I connected the device to my host PC, plugged it in, and typed http://find.synology.com in my browser's address bar. Within seconds the device was discovered and I clicked Connect. I was then prompted to download and install the Synology DiskStation Manager and create a User Account. Next, I created a volume using the Synology SHR RAID configuration and was ready to go. The entire process took less than 10 minutes to complete.

The DS216+II performed well on our file transfer tests, where we transfer a 4.9GB folder containing a mix of photos, video clips, music files, and office documents and time the read and write speeds of the drives. Its read speed of 68MBps was a bit faster than the QNAP TS-253B$527.00 at Amazon(65MBps) and much faster than the Asustor AS6302T (37MBps). The Synology DS216j$150.97 at Amazon led them all with a score of 74MBps. The DS216+II's write speed of 76MBps was once again a hair faster than the QNAP TS-253B (75MBps) and noticeably faster than the Asustor AS-6302T (63MBps), and it also outperformed the Synology DS216j (68MBps). Additionally, the DS216+II was extremely quiet, unlike the QNAP TS-253B, which emitted a constant hum in our testing.
Conclusion

The Synology DS216+II is an excellent choice for home and small office users seeking a reasonably priced NAS device that can store up to 20TB of data, convert and serve 4K video and other entertainment media, act as a mail server, and control a networked IP camera security system. It's a snap to set up and Synology's DSM operating system makes it easy to download dozens of useful apps that can scan for malware, schedule automatic backups, and help organize file structures. Granted, the DS216+II doesn't offer the same level of expandability as the QNAP TS253B, but it does offer slightly better performance and is almost $400 less expensive. It's our Editors' Choice for two-drive NAS devices.

Solar was the most-installed new electricity generator worldwide in 2016

Solar has become the world’s favorite new type of electricity generation, with more solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity being installed than any other generation technology according to GlobalData, a recognized leader in providing business information and analytics.

essIndex (GPAI) confirms that worldwide, approximately 72 gigawatts (GW) of new solar PV capacity was installed in 2016. Wind energy was in second place with 53 GW, followed by coal with 52 GW, gas with 41 GW, and hydro with 31 GW.

The index ranks the major power markets across the globe and helps stakeholders to identify the countries which present the most opportunities in the short-term, based on their performance on macroeconomic and power business indicators.

The index also provides a strong understanding of the indices which have been created by technology for all major power technologies, namely thermal, wind, solar PV (for example: RENOGY 150 WATT SOLAR PANEL ), hydro, nuclear, and biopower, which are then combined to give the overall index for the country.

The GPAI also states that China and India occupy the top two spots as the most lucrative power markets in the short term. These are followed by the US, Turkey, Germany, and Brazil. China rolled out its latest five-year energy development plan, detailing the country’s aim of investing about CNY2.5 trillion (more than $363 billion) through to 2020 in the development of renewable energy resources.

Ankit Mathur, Power Practice Head at GlobalData, commented: ‘‘If the planned energy development programme is followed, solar, hydro, and wind power would be the biggest benefactors. They would also support China’s recently announced ambition to stop the production and sales of traditional energy vehicles in the coming decades.’’

The United States has lost ground in the index, due to a shift in energy policy under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has issued orders to roll back many of the previous administration’s climate change policies, revive the U.S. coal industry, and review the Clean Power Plan, which requires states to cut carbon emissions from power plants.

Mathur, continued: ‘‘Along with the US, the UK’s market has also lost attractiveness post-Brexit with uncertainty over the impacts of the country’s decision to leave the European Union (EU). However a number of Southeast Asian markets show progress with high market attractiveness due to strong growth fundamentals and all-round capacity addition.’

SolarEdge Launching First PV Inverter-Integrated Electric Vehicle Charger

At Intersolar North America, SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. is unveiling the world's first inverter-integrated electric vehicle (EV) charger. By supplementing grid power with PV power ( for example:GOAL ZERO NOMAD 20 ), SolarEdge's Level 2 EV charger offers charging up to six times faster than a standard Level 1 charger with its innovative solar boost mode.

SolarEdge's HD-Wave inverter, once integrated with an EV charger, will not only provide the existing management and monitoring of solar production, but will also enable EV charging from a single inverter and dashboard. The combined solution will offer considerable cost savings on both hardware and labor by eliminating the need for an additional conduit, wiring, and breaker installation. The solution will also eliminate the need for an additional dedicated circuit breaker, which saves space and a potential main distribution panel upgrade.

"SolarEdge is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for increasing the use of renewable energy and cost savings for our customers and end users," stated Guy Sella, CEO and Chairman of SolarEdge. "Adding EV charging to our growing-range of products further enables system owners to easily manage their energy needs."

Based on patent-pending technology, the EV charger is embedded into SolarEdge's HD-Wave inverter and leverages its solar boost mode. This mode utilizes both grid and PV to charge at 9.6kW (40 Amp) Level 2 charging, which is up to six times faster than standard Level 1 charging. If PV is not available, the inverter-integrated EV charger will use grid power to charge at 7.6kW (32 Amp) Level 2 charging, which is up to five times faster than standard Level 1 charging.

With a 12-year warranty, the inverter-integrated EV charger offers potential future operating modes, such as demand-response and charging at off-peak hours to optimize Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. The inverter-integrated EV charger is expected to be available in the last quarter of 2017.

How to Boost Your Business with Upgraded Seating for Customers

As young kids many of us had the opportunity to go to a theater to watch a film or play. In most cases folding wooden chairs would have greeted us, fixed to the floor in banks. As children it was always fun to flip the folding part of the seat up and down, paying little heed to the comfort the actual chair provided. However, as adults we are now appalled when we walk into a venue to discover the old and antiquated seating still in place. Check out how theaters across the country are opting to upgrade their seating and provide an improved experience to movie-goers.

The advances in seating go far beyond comfort of theater seats and are taking place in many others businesses that require seating to run their business. Many theaters are upgrading seats to provide comfort to their customers and improve their business.

There are simple reasons and great benefits to businesses investing in new seating as described below:

• Customer Comfort With the exception of the airlines all businesses would agree that it is important to provide additional comfort to their customers. They know that when all else is equal a customer will choose the venue with more comfortable seating over one without.
• Employee and Customer Well Being Poor quality seating without adequate support for the back is not good for employees’ back health. This is particularly important when considering that employees have to sit at a variety of tasks all day long. Improved seating leads to better employee ergonomics and fewer employee days off with back pain.

Starting a Business? What You Need to Know First

Who hasn’t dreamt of being his own boss and launching a business that will one day become the next Amazon or Google? The idea of having the freedom to pursue your dream is exciting for anyone who has gone through the drudgery of corporate world. While this is indeed exciting and noteworthy you also need to know that starting your own business is not something that everyone can do. It takes lot of effort and commitment to build a business that will one day rival Amazon of today. For every Amazon there are hundreds of others who did not make it. Don’t lose heart, though. With good understanding of what it takes to start a business and little perseverance you too can build a respectable sized business even if it is not the next Amazon. Here is a 5 step process you need to go through before taking the plunge.

• Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses – Before you even take any action do some self reflection and know who you are. Not everyone has what it takes to start a business. You need to spend significant effort and money while having a good support system to be able to call your own shots.
• Find the Market – Having a good business idea is one thing. Finding a buyer who also will like it and pay for it is another. Not all business ideas have the sizeable market to support your business. Uncle John and Aunt Shelly do not make a market. Test your idea with some of the folks you trust with giving you the right advice even if it is bitter.
• Understand Competition – Even if the market exists for your product or service if the competition is intense and has already cornered the market you will find it difficult to penetrate it. You are better off pursuing a different market or at least find a niche for which you can attract customers.
• Test the Idea – Before going all out on the idea it is better to prototype few samples and test them with your target customers. You will not lose everything if you take this approach. You will either know that there is no market for your idea or be able to tweak it based on the customer feedback before going with full launch.

3 Proven Strategies to Give Your Small Business Competitive Edge

The last century has seen unprecedented rise in competition for businesses. With the rise of internet it has become easier than ever for businesses of all types to have a global reach. If you are going to have staying power in the business world you need to take advantage of the latest innovations, such as tapping into SIP trunking providers, developing an online presence, and using social media. To be successful you need to take a look around and learn from the success stories of your competitors. Find out what formulas are working and perfect them in your business model. The 3 time proven systems that are required to position your business against global competition will help you move in the right direction and ensure longevity of your business.

1. Focus on Staff

Your employees are the backbone of your business. No matter how great your service or product is, it will not get you anywhere if you don’t have an excellent team to support you. Provide your staff with professional development opportunities and incentives to give you their best. Respond to their needs and create a positive environment at the workplace. Be highly selective during the hiring process and go with your gut instincts when you feel you have an excellent fit. Pay attention to who is being productive and who isn’t. Offer constructive criticism to those who need improvement, giving them the opportunity to grow. Reward those who excel to continue moving in the right direction.