Video summary

Synology DSM 7.4 Released - SHOULD YOU UPGRADE?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Overview: DSM 7.4 status + upgrade recommendation

  • DSM 7.4 is available as a release candidate at the time of the video.
  • The speaker’s main conclusion: Most users should not upgrade immediately.
    • Recommended wait: ~3 months (or at least a month).
    • Upgrade sooner only if you specifically want early access to AI-related features.
  • Why wait:
    • DSM point releases can have early “oddities/blips.”
    • The most compelling DSM 7.4 features are limited or not available yet (scheduled for later).

Upgrade/compatibility guidance and “gotchas”

Not all Synology NAS can upgrade to DSM 7.4

  • Initial messaging suggested eligibility mainly for devices from about 2021/2022 onward.
  • The video notes Synology later corrected compatibility messaging, and some older models (back to ~2016) may be eligible.
  • Practical rule of thumb:
    • If your device supports DSM 7.3, it likely supports DSM 7.4.

No easy downgrade

  • After upgrading from DSM 7.3 → 7.4, you can’t simply roll back.
  • SSH “tinkering” is mentioned, but it’s framed as risky.

Legacy mail services stop

  • Mail Station / Synology Mail Server are ceased when moving to DSM 7.4.
  • The upgrade process requires accepting this change.
  • The implied reason: consolidation into Synology’s “Mail Plus” app (similar to earlier app merges like Moments/Photos).

Key DSM 7.4 feature: Storage Efficiency Manager (main “early win”)

What the feature is

The speaker presents Storage Efficiency as the most tangible improvement available in DSM 7.4.

  • Scheduling controls
    • You can configure when space reclamation runs.
    • The speaker warns scheduled compression/deduplication increases resource utilization during runs.
  • Compression
    • Reduces stored data size (data is unpacked when needed).
  • Deduplication
    • Detects identical data across locations (e.g., backups/VMs) and keeps one copy plus indexes.
  • Both can be enabled, but:
    • They can impact performance
    • Benefits may not apply cleanly to all workloads

Workload/file-type limitations

There are “unsuitable workloads,” with examples mentioned:

  • Surveillance data
  • Encrypted data

Major limitation/controversy: requires Synology storage media

The speaker repeatedly emphasizes a key constraint:

  • Storage Efficiency only works when the storage pool is entirely made of Synology SSDs/media.
    • This is reinforced by an on-screen error when testing with a third-party SSD.

Criticism from the speaker:

  • Synology marketed storage efficiency as a response to storage media shortages.
  • Locking it behind Synology drives reduces the number of real users who can benefit.

Device requirements

  • The feature appears intended mainly for newer generations (around 2021/2022 series).
  • There may be some “wiggle” depending on the exact statement/device rules.

Key new feature: DSM Agent (AI assistant—optional, limited capability)

Availability and purpose

  • DSM Agent is introduced via Package Center as an optional component.
  • The video describes it as having:
    • On-screen awareness (contextual help based on what’s open and what you’re doing in the DSM UI)
    • Guided workflows, not full automation
      • Example: it can guide you through creating a user
      • But it can’t broadly “take over” to perform actions directly (at least initially)

No external AI account linking (in the test)

  • The speaker notes it does not require linking to external AI services (e.g., OpenAI/Gemini) in their testing.

Perceived limitations

  • It’s characterized as more like an enhanced help tool than a full AI agent.
  • Example limitation: asking for specific operational history (like access counts/log details) may not yield deeper log results.

Features not available yet (later in 2024: Q4)

The video highlights several “big” AI/communication features missing at release:

  • Q4 timeframe (Oct–Dec):
    • AI Search tool
    • Chat Plus
    • Meet (video conferencing)

Speaker preference:

  • The speaker strongly prefers AI Search over DSM Agent in its current form.
  • They view these Q4 additions as where the real benefits may land.

Other release-note highlights mentioned

  • GPU/AI monitoring updates
    • More resources in the Information Center for monitoring GPU information.
    • Many NAS models lack discrete GPUs; integrated graphics may affect availability.
  • AI Console / API-related controls
    • Tools mentioned for integrating third-party APIs.
    • Configuration to manage AI identification/access so certain information isn’t shared unintentionally.
  • The speaker characterizes many other updates as minor, such as:
    • compatibility updates
    • LDAP improvements
    • GPU info integration
    • certificate-related updates

Final assessment (upgrade or wait?)

When upgrading now makes sense

Upgrading now is framed as worth it if you want:

  • Early access to storage efficiency
    • with the caveat that it depends on Synology storage media and supported device generation
  • An attempt at DSM Agent, despite its early/limited capabilities

Recommended choice for most users

Otherwise, the recommendation is to stay on DSM 7.3 for now, mainly because:

  • DSM 7.4 isn’t “meaty” overall at this stage
  • More meaningful AI features are expected later (Q4)

Main speakers/sources

  • Primary speaker: the video narrator/reviewer (no name provided in subtitles)
  • Referenced helper/contributor: Dan
    • Provided test/results/assistance; credited by the speaker
  • Referenced Synology/community figure: Dave Russell
    • Mentioned repeatedly as someone working on third-party drive support / ongoing development

Original video