Why Choose TerraMaster TRAID? A Flexible Alternative to Synology SHR

In traditional RAID systems such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10, the total available capacity is typically limited by the smallest drive in the array. This can be problematic in real-world applications, especially when using drives of different sizes. In such cases, storage efficiency is often low, and a significant amount of space can go unused. For example, in a RAID 5 array made up of 500GB, 2TB, and 4TB drives, each drive would only contribute 500GB of usable capacity, based on the smallest disk.

Unlike traditional RAID, Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) divides each drive into smaller storage blocks and creates redundant storage across them. SHR is Synology’s automated RAID management system that helps users build a more flexible and efficient storage setup with optimized capacity and performance. However, with Synology’s recent decision to stop supporting third-party hard drives, many SHR users have started looking for alternative solutions.

TRAID, developed by TerraMaster, is a flexible disk array management system that features automatic storage pooling, drive failure redundancy, and easy capacity expansion. Similar to SHR, all of these processes are handled automatically by the system without requiring manual configuration. TRAID offers users an optimized, flexible, and beginner-friendly storage solution, especially suitable for those who are not familiar with traditional RAID setups.

TRAID vs SHR:  Comparison of Key Features

Automatic Disk Space Pooling

• TRAID: Utilizes Linux-based algorithms to partition and reorganize mixed-capacity drives (e.g., 1TB + 4TB + 8TB) into smaller segments, ensuring compatibility and efficient space utilization.
• SHR: Relies on virtual partitioning technology, with slightly lower space efficiency in mixed-capacity scenarios.
• User Case: A user configured a TRAID array with 1TB + 4TB + 8TB drives, achieving 12TB of usable space (with single-disk redundancy), while traditional RAID5 only provided 8TB.

Disk Failure Redundancy Protection

• TRAID: Supports single-disk redundancy (TRAID) or dual-disk redundancy (TRAID+), with dynamically adjustable redundancy strategies.
• SHR: Defaults to single-disk redundancy, with dual-disk redundancy requiring an upgrade to SHR-2, which is more costly.
• Test Data: In a 4-bay TRAID array, removing one disk triggered automatic data rebuilding, taking approximately 8 hours (depending on drive capacity), with read/write performance dropping by about 15% during the rebuild. 

Automatic Capacity Expansion

• TRAID: Supports hot-swap expansion without rebuilding the array. For example, inserting a new drive into a 3-bay TRAID setup allows the system to automatically recognize and expand storage.
• SHR: Expansion requires manual operation, and some models need a device reboot.
• User Feedback: A user gradually replaced drives in a 4-bay TRAID setup, expanding capacity from 8TB to 24TB without data migration.

Cost-Effectiveness Comparison

• TRAID: No additional software licensing fees, with lower hardware costs (e.g., F4-423 4-bay NAS at approximately $367 USD).
• SHR: Requires Synology hardware (e.g., DS923+ 4-bay NAS at around $560 USD or higher), with additional licensing fees for expansion.
• Conclusion: TRAID’s total hardware and software costs are approximately 40% lower than SHR.

Advantages of TRAID:

Compatibility

TRAID is designed for the TerraMaster TOS system and is not compatible with other NAS brands. However, unlike SHR, TRAID also supports the creation of arrays on external expansion storage devices, offering more flexible deployment options.

Maturity of Technology

SHR has been in the market for over a decade and is widely recognized for its stability. TRAID, introduced in 2022, is a relatively new technology, but user feedback has shown it to be stable and highly scalable in various real-world scenarios.

Advanced Features

SHR supports enterprise-level features such as Btrfs snapshots and multi-version rollback. While TRAID does not use Btrfs, it is fully integrated into the TOS platform and works seamlessly with advanced backup solutions like BBS (Business Backup Suite) to provide system-level data protection and flexible backup strategies.

How to Expand TRAID Storage Capacity

1.Replace Drives with Higher-Capacity Ones: Upgrade your existing drives with larger-capacity models and perform online capacity expansion without disrupting your data.

 2.Add New Drives: Insert additional drives into available bays and add them directly to your storage pool.

 3.Connect External USB Devices: Connect external USB storage such as the D6-320 via a USB 3.2 10Gbps interface for additional capacity.

Which One Is Suitable for You?

From a cost-performance perspective, TRAID is a strong alternative to SHR, particularly well-suited for home users, creators, and small to medium-sized businesses. If you’re looking for affordable hardware and greater flexibility for future expansion, TRAID is a compelling option to consider.

If you require enterprise-level data management, snapshot features, version control, and already rely on the Synology ecosystem, SHR remains a reliable and mature solution.

Regardless of whether you choose traditional RAID, SHR, or TRAID, none of them should be considered a true backup. To ensure data safety, it is highly recommended to use professional tools such as TerraMaster’s BBS (Business Backup Suite) to build a multi-layered data protection strategy.