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Synology 8 Bay RackStation RS1221+ (Diskless)
Synology

Synology 8 Bay RackStation RS1221+ (Diskless)

Bottom line: The Synology 8 Bay RackStation RS1221+: 8 bays in a 298mm short-depth 2U chassis for shallow racks; main trade-off: diskless - eight drives are a separate purchase on top of the chassis.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014, focused on GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. Synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 8 bays in a 298mm short-depth 2U chassis for shallow racks
  • ✓ Up to 2,315 MB/s sequential read across multi-user file workloads
  • ✓ Up to 1,147 MB/s sequential write for heavy write-side transfers
  • ✓ PCIe slot takes an SFP+ or RJ-45 card for roughly 5X network throughput
  • ✓ Pairs with a second unit for a Synology HA cluster with minute-level failover

Cons

  • ✗ Diskless - eight drives are a separate purchase on top of the chassis
  • ✗ Network card must come from Synology's compatibility list, not any PCIe NIC
  • ✗ 2U rackmount only; no desktop or shelf placement option
  • ✗ HA failover requires buying and configuring a second RS1221+ unit

Manufacturer description

Synology RackStation RS1221+ is a powerful 2U 8-bay rackmount network-attached storage solution, perfect for centralizing data management in short rack-depth environments. The RS1221+ series is ideal at handling heavy file workloads and protecting digital assets in small business environments through the comprehensive data protection options included in the DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system.

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Synology 8 Bay RackStation RS1221+ using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the PC & gaming hardware category. Synology's PC & gaming hardware lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for PC & gaming hardware of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • Tackle multi-user environments effortlessly with up to 2,315 MB/s read and 1,147 MB/s write performance
  • The RS1221+ and RS1221RP+ feature a short depth of just 298 mm and 399 mm respectively
  • Improve network performance by 5X with a PCIe SFP+ or RJ-45 network card from the compatibility list
  • Configure two units together to create a Synology High Availability (SHA) cluster for maximum service uptime and minute-level failover

Full Specifications

SizeRS1221+
BrandSynology
ColorBlack
MaterialMetal
Unit Count1 Count
Model NumberRS1221+
Mounting TypeRack Mount
Built-In MediaItem
Mfr Part NumberRS1221+
Weight CapacityMinimum weight: 20.6 pounds
Compatible DevicesLaptop, Server, Smart Phone
Enclosure MaterialMetal
Warranty Description3 years
EU Spare Part Availability Duration5 years

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Synology 8 Bay RackStation RS1221+ (Diskless) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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Synology 8 Bay RackStation RS1221+ (Diskless)
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