We won’t go into all the details of how the actual HD themselves and the data being stored can make a huge difference but try running this “Real World” test:

- With the Synology connected to your network via both gigabit port and Drobo to your computer via eSATA, copy files from each HD to 2 or more computers while streaming a movie stored on the HD to your TV. Which one is faster now?

I used very similar datasets (ripped DVD images), but I did use different ones for each test run to ensure no caching could be done by the OS, the Synology, or the Drobo.

The tests demonstrate exactly what they claim to; namely, that in my setup, the Drobo-S is faster than the Synology NAS. I expect my setup is likely similar to how most people would set either of these things up. They are meant to be “real world” rather than the synthetic benchmarks it seems you all are looking for.

Yes. I am comparing an eSATA storage array connected to the PC with a NAS connected to the PC via Gig-E. Do you claim that this comparison is somehow “off limits”? Why? It seems like a pretty reasonable test.

However, to placate you, I will do one further test when I get a chance. I’ll have the windows PC share out the Drobo and then see how fast another machine sitting next to it on the same Gig-E switch can transfer data from the Drobo. Though that is not really what I wanted to test, it seems maybe you want to know that.

also you used different datasets for the test. how silly.

so far your tests prove nothing. there is no direct comparison.

The data is exactly what I claimed it to be: a comparison of performance between Synology 1511+ and Drobo S as seen from a PC directly connected to the device.