Synology UC3400 SAN Storage System

The Synology UC3400 SAN Storage System is engineered for enterprises that demand unbroken service, scalable capacity, and rigorous data protection. Built around an active-active dual-controller architecture, it ensures zero downtime by enabling both controllers to operate in parallel and share the workload. In the unlikely event of a controller fault or during maintenance, the remaining controller continues to serve data without interruption, preserving mission-critical operations and safeguarding service-level agreements. The UC3400 also features a non-transparent bridge (NTB) that facilitates secure inter-domain communication, further strengthening data integrity for in-flight transfers across complex SAN fabrics. This design delivers robust availability, reduced maintenance windows, and predictable performance for mixed workloads ranging from virtualization to large-scale file services and databases.

Designed to meet the needs of modern data centers, the UC3400 consolidates storage, compute resilience, and data services into a unified platform. It provides streamlined provisioning, centralized management, and seamless integration with existing IT ecosystems. Whether you are consolidating dispersed storage, extending a regional data center, or building a resilient disaster recovery site, the UC3400 delivers enterprise-grade reliability and performance. It is suitable for virtualization environments such as VMware and Hyper-V, for database workloads, and for organizations that require fast, predictable access to data with consistent latency. With its focus on availability, protection, and ease of administration, the UC3400 helps IT teams reduce risk and accelerate modernization initiatives while maintaining strict control over storage governance and security.

• Continuous availability with active-active dual controllers: Both controllers operate concurrently to share workload and eliminate single points of failure. This architecture supports seamless failover and non-disruptive maintenance, ensuring zero-downtime performance for critical applications, databases, and analytics. Administrators gain predictable service levels even during component upgrades or partial hardware faults, reducing recovery time objectives and preserving user experiences during peak demand or seasonal workloads. The result is a SAN that behaves like a single, resilient entity, with automatic load balancing and transparent failover that minimizes risk across the data center.
• NTB-enabled cross-domain protection: The non-transparent bridge (NTB) enables secure, high-performance communication across SAN domains, helping to safeguard data as it moves between sites or departments. By optimizing cross-domain transfers and reducing latency, NTB improves data integrity for replication, disaster recovery, and migration workflows. This capability is particularly valuable in multi-site deployments where data must be synchronized quickly and reliably, while maintaining strict domain isolation and governance. For IT teams, NTB means simpler configuration, improved data consistency, and enhanced protection for in-flight information across complex networks.
• Enterprise-grade data protection and advanced SAN features: The UC3400 delivers a robust toolbox of data protection capabilities designed to minimize data loss and accelerate recovery. Features such as point-in-time snapshots, consistent backups, and efficient replication enable rapid restoration of files, volumes, or entire systems. Granular access controls, audit trails, and role-based permissions help enforce governance, while built-in retention policies and automated DR workflows reduce administrative overhead. With scalable protection, you can tailor disaster recovery objectives to your business needs, ensuring compliance and resilience even in the face of cyber threats or natural disasters.
• Scalability and strong integration with the Synology ecosystem: This SAN storage system is designed to grow with your organization. It supports expandable capacity and integrates tightly with Synology’s management tools, enabling centralized monitoring, alerting, and automation. Virtualization platforms, cloud integration, and backup ecosystems can be orchestrated from a single interface, simplifying lifecycle management. The UC3400 also leverages Synology’s software-defined data services, enabling flexible storage pools, tiering decisions, and policy-based data protection that can adapt as workloads evolve and new workloads appear without a major architectural redesign.
• Energy efficiency, reliability, and simplified management: Redundant power supplies, hot-swappable components, and thermally aware design contribute to lower operating costs while maintaining high reliability. The system’s management interface emphasizes ease of use, with guided workflows for deployment, monitoring, and maintenance. Automation capabilities, health checks, and proactive diagnostics help administrators catch issues before they impact performance, while features like predictive cooling and fan control help sustain consistent throughput. Overall, the UC3400 combines enterprise-grade resilience with practical administration to reduce IT toil and improve uptime.

Technical Details of Synology UC3400 SAN Storage System

• Architecture: Active-active dual-controller design with high-availability features to minimize downtime and maintain continuous data access.
• Data protection: In-flight data protection through NTB-assisted cross-domain communication; supports snapshots, replication, and granular access controls for robust governance.
• Management and integration: Centralized management tools and compatibility with common virtualization platforms to simplify deployment, provisioning, and automation.
• Reliability and redundancy: Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and components with built-in failover to maximize uptime and service continuity.
• Performance orientation: Engineered to deliver consistent throughput and low latency for virtualization, databases, and large-scale file services.
• Operational efficiency: Energy-conscious design, simplified administration, and automation capabilities to reduce total cost of ownership.

How to Install Synology UC3400 SAN Storage System

• Unbox and prepare: Carefully unbox the UC3400 and verify all components are present. Position the unit in a proper rack with adequate clearance for cooling and access for maintenance. Inspect cables and accessories to ensure a smooth installation.
• Connect power and networks: Attach redundant power connections to separate circuits when possible. Connect SAN fabric ports and management interfaces to appropriate networks, ensuring separation from untrusted or general-purpose networks to maintain security and performance.
• Initial power-on and configuration: Power up the system and access the management interface. Run the initial setup to define administrator credentials, network settings, and basic security policies. Enable appropriate authentication methods and keep firmware up to date.
• Create storage and data protection policies: Define storage pools and carve out LUNs for hosts and applications. Enable snapshots, replication, and automated protection policies aligned with your RPO/RTO targets. Apply best practices for capacity planning and performance tuning according to workload.
• Integrate with hosts and plan DR: Connect the UC3400 to virtualization hosts (e.g., VMware/Hyper-V) or application servers. Register data stores, configure multipathing, and set up disaster recovery workflows and off-site replication to meet business-continuity objectives.

Frequently asked questions

• What workloads is the UC3400 best suited for?
  It is designed for mission-critical SAN workloads, virtualization environments, large databases, and file services that demand consistent performance, high availability, and resilient data protection.
• Does the UC3400 support live migrations and replication?
  Yes. Built-in replication and snapshot capabilities enable rapid recovery and cross-site DR workflows, helping maintain business continuity and data integrity during transitions or outages.
• How is data protected in flight?
  The system uses NTB-enabled cross-domain communication to safeguard in-flight data and preserve data integrity across SAN fabrics and sites.
• What about maintenance downtime?
  With active-active controllers and redundant components, routine maintenance can be performed with minimal or no impact on active services, reducing downtime risk.
• How do I begin managing and automating storage?
  Install the included management tools, connect to the centralized interface, and start provisioning storage pools, LUNs, snapshots, and automation policies to align with IT governance and operational requirements.