2U vs 4U Colocation: Best Fit for Synology NAS Hosting
2U Colocation vs 4U Colocation: Which is Best for Your Synology NAS?
For businesses hosting Synology NAS devices in a data center, choosing the right rack size, 2U or 4U, is an important decision that impacts scalability, cooling, performance, and cost. As data volumes grow and workloads become more complex, selecting the proper colocation footprint ensures your Synology equipment operates efficiently and has room to expand.
Both 2U and 4U rack units offer advantages, but the best choice depends on your NAS model, storage requirements, expansion plans, and long-term IT strategy. Understanding these differences helps you make a smarter investment and build a more resilient hosting environment.
What Is a 2U or 4U Colocation Space?
Rack units (U) measure the height of equipment installed in server racks.
1U = 1.75 inches (4.45 cm)
2U = 3.5 inches (8.9 cm)
4U = 7 inches (17.8 cm)
Synology NAS devices come in various sizes. Most rackmount NAS units are either 1U, 2U, or 3U, while some high-density or enterprise models require 4U of space, especially when expansion units or additional cooling are needed.
Colocation providers rent rack space based on U height, power, and bandwidth requirements, allowing businesses to host their own Synology hardware in a secure data center.
Benefits of 2U Colocation for Synology NAS
A 2U colocation space is often a great fit for SMBs or smaller deployments that need powerful storage without oversized infrastructure.
Key advantages:
Compact Size and Lower Cost
2U racks take up less physical space, making them more affordable to colocate than larger units.
Ideal for Most Standard Synology Models
Many popular Synology rackmount NAS units, such as RS1221RP+, RS2423RP+, or similar, fit easily into a 2U footprint.
Suitable for Moderate Storage Needs
For businesses managing a few dozen terabytes of data or a handful of virtual machines, 2U is usually sufficient.
Efficient Power Usage
Smaller units typically draw less power, lowering monthly hosting fees.
Best for:
Small to mid-sized businesses, branch offices, and backup-focused environments.
Benefits of 4U Colocation for Synology NAS
A 4U colocation space is designed for larger, enterprise-grade deployments requiring high capacity, increased airflow, and additional expansion options.
Key advantages:
Better Cooling and Airflow
A larger chassis allows for more powerful fans and better cooling critical for densely packed HDD or SSD arrays.
High Storage Capacity
4U is ideal for large Synology units, multi-bay configurations, and heavy workloads such as:
Virtual machines
Database storage
Surveillance video archives
Massive file repositories
Room for Expansion
More physical space means easier hardware upgrades, expansion shelves, and additional network cards or cache modules.
Enhanced Performance for Demanding Workloads
Enterprise-grade processors, larger RAM capacities, and NVMe caching options are common in bigger systems.
Best for:
Enterprises, data-heavy operations, media production studios, and businesses with rapidly growing storage needs.
Choosing Between 2U and 4U for Your Synology NAS
To determine the right rack size, consider the following factors:
1. Your Storage Capacity Requirements
If you need 12–24 drives today or expect rapid growth, a 4U system provides headroom for expansion.
2. Performance Needs
Workloads that involve virtualization, analytics, or high concurrency benefit from the power and cooling of a 4U chassis.
3. Budget and Operational Costs
2U colocation is more affordable, but it may limit long-term scalability.
4. Power and Cooling Constraints
4U systems typically require more power and generate more heat. Confirm your data center supports the necessary cooling and amperage.
5. Future-Proofing
If your data footprint doubles every 1–2 years, investing in 4U colocation may prevent costly migrations down the road.
How Epis Technology Helps You Choose the Right Colocation Setup
Epis Technology assists businesses in choosing and deploying the best Synology colocation strategy based on current workloads and future growth. Before recommending 2U or 4U, our team conducts a detailed assessment of your storage needs, RAID layout, power requirements, cooling expectations, and business continuity targets. We design your Synology architecture to maximize performance and security, then configure the NAS, set up backups, and integrate cloud services like Synology C2 for hybrid resilience. Epis also provides ongoing monitoring, tuning, troubleshooting, and capacity planning to ensure your colocated Synology environment runs efficiently and scales smoothly as your business grows.
Building a Smarter Hosting Strategy with Synology Colocation
Both 2U and 4U colocation solutions offer advantages, and the “best” choice depends on your technical demands and growth strategy. Smaller businesses can benefit from the affordability and simplicity of 2U, while enterprises handling massive datasets may rely on the flexibility and power of 4U units.
With proper planning and the right Synology consulting partner, you can build a secure, scalable, and cost-effective hosting environment that supports your business well into the future.
About Epis Technology
Epis Technology provides enterprise IT infrastructure, Synology consulting, and data protection solutions for organizations of all sizes. We design and manage Synology-based environments for high-capacity storage, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backups, hybrid cloud deployments, and colocated NAS installations. From architecture and deployment to performance optimization, cybersecurity hardening, and disaster recovery planning, Epis Technology ensures your critical data is always secure, scalable, and accessible.