Quick summary

SHR provides flexible capacity when mixing drive sizes. RAID 5 follows a fixed stripe with one disk of parity. Pick based on whether you plan to mix capacities or keep a uniform set of drives.

How the layouts work

SHR uses variable sized stripes to make the most of mixed drive capacities, while RAID 5 uses a single stripe size that matches the smallest drive.

Pros and cons

Capacity and growth

Your growth plan determines which layout is more efficient over time.

• If you plan to add larger drives gradually, SHR often yields better usable capacity
• If you buy a full set of identical drives up front, RAID 5 is straightforward
• Consider RAID 6 for larger arrays to reduce risk during rebuilds

Rebuild time and risk

Rebuild windows grow with capacity. Keep backups and avoid operating near full capacity.

• Use NAS rated drives and keep a cold spare for faster recovery
• Monitor SMART and replace suspect drives proactively
• Schedule parity checks during low usage periods

Use case recommendations

Simple mapping for common buyers.

• SHR for home users and small teams that will mix drive sizes
• RAID 5 for uniform sets in stable capacity scenarios
• RAID 6 for larger arrays or where uptime is paramount

FAQs

Short answers to frequent questions.

• Can I switch between SHR and RAID 5? A rebuild is required, plan migration steps
• Does SHR perform slower? Real world performance is usually dictated by disks and network
• Is SHR proprietary? Yes to Synology, but it sits on standard Linux technologies