Popular NAS-maker Synology has actually validated and a little clarified a policy that appeared on its German site previously today: Its “Plus” Tier of gadgets, beginning with the 2025 series, will need Synology-branded tough drives for complete compatibility, at least at.

“Synology-branded drives will be needed for use in the newly announced Plus series, with plans to update the Product Compatibility List as additional drives can be thoroughly vetted in Synology systems,” a Synology agent informed Ars by e-mail. “Extensive internal testing has shown that drives that follow a rigorous validation process when paired with Synology systems are at less risk of drive failure and ongoing compatibility issues.”

Without a Synology-branded or authorized drive in a gadget that needs it, NAS gadgets might stop working to develop storage swimming pools and lose volume-wide deduplication and life-span analysis, Synology’s German news release specified. Comparable drive constraints are currently in location for XS Plus and rack-mounted Synology designs, though work-arounds exist.

Synology likewise states it will later on include a “carefully curated drive compatibility framework” for third-party drives which users can send drives for screening and documents. “Drives that meet Synology’s stringent standards may be validated for use, offering flexibility while maintaining system integrity.”