Synology has announced DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.3, the latest version of its NAS operating system, delivering three clear messages: more storage efficiency through an automatic, configurable tiering, enhanced security and reliability for daily use, and new productivity and AI features designed for organizations seeking modernization without losing control of their data.
The company emphasizes that DSM 7.3 addresses an ongoing challenge faced by companies and prosumers: data growth requiring management, protection, and utilization. According to Kenneth Hsu, Director of Synology’s System Group, the platform aims to help clients tackle these challenges “with confidence” on a secure, reliable, and AI-ready environment.
Below are the key highlights of the update.
Greater storage flexibility: provisional support for third-party disks in 25 models
Synology maintains its focus on reliability: its proprietary hardware and validated components undergo a standardized testing process aimed at ensuring consistency and long-term durability. Simultaneously, and as it expands its catalog of officially verified drives, the company introduces a significant change in DSM 7.3:
- 25 models from the DiskStation Plus, Value, and J series that upgrade to DSM 7.3 will allow the installation and creation of storage pools using third-party unverified disks (under an updated compatibility policy).
- This support offers more flexibility to users without abandoning the goal of expanding the list of verified drives in the medium term.
Important: creating storage pools in M.2 and using cache still require units listed on the HCL (hardware compatibility list) of Synology. That is, this new support affects SATA/SAS trays of the specified models, but not the M.2.
Synology also confirms ongoing collaboration with disk manufacturers to speed up the testing and verification of new drives.
Effortless management: Synology Tiering arrives in DSM 7.3
The star feature for efficiency is Synology Tiering. This mechanism analyzes access patterns and automatically moves files between storage tiers:
- The “hot” (frequently used) files remain in high-performance layers.
- The “cold” (rarely accessed) content is transferred to more economical layers.
The policy is configurable: it can be based on modification date or access frequency, and you can schedule the when and how data moves. The idea is simple, but the impact is significant: quickly freeing space for what truly needs it and better leveraging every dollar spent on disks.
DSM 7.3 also strengthens reliability under heavy load — such as mass file operations or folder synchronizations — ensuring the system can handle peaks without degrading the experience.
Unwavering security: 50+ patches within a year and risk indicators KEV, EPSS, and LEV
Security on a NAS isn’t an addition; it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built. Synology highlights three key areas:
- Proactive patching: over 50 security updates have been deployed in the past 12 months.
- Risk with a method: this year, the company incorporates three industry-recognized indicators into its prioritization processes:
- KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities): vulnerabilities actively exploited in the wild.
- EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System): estimates the likelihood of exploitation.
- LEV (local exposure value): indicates the impact in real-world environments.
- System hardening: improvements in integrity, isolation, and robustness of services during demanding operations.
For end users, this results in less attack surface, better prioritization of critical patches, and stability when the NAS is at full throttle.
Enhanced organization, fewer friction points: Drive and MailPlus gain productivity features
The Office Suite in DSM 7.3 receives several daily-use improvements:
- Synology Drive adds shared tags (improved team organization), simplified file requests (easier collection without permission conflicts), and file locking (to prevent editing conflicts).
- MailPlus incorporates email moderation (an extra filter for problematic emails) and domain sharing, useful for unified identity management across distributed infrastructures.
These changes, though not headline-grabbing, save users time and reduce friction when multiple people work on the same documents or mailboxes.
AI in a private setting: 430,000+ deployments of AI Console and enhanced data control
Since its launch in August 2025, Synology AI Console has been deployed in more than 430,000 Synology systems. The approach centers on team collaboration driven by AI with centralized management in a local environment, for those who want to automate and assist with tasks without outsourcing sensitive data.
With DSM 7.3, AI Console takes two additional steps:
- Data masking and filtering that are personalizable: before sending content to third-party AI providers, the system can anonymize or sanitize data locally, enhancing privacy and flow reliability (reducing accidental leaks).
- Upcoming support for APIs compatible with OpenAI: Synology plans that upcoming versions will enable integration with all APIs compatible with OpenAI, easing private AI infrastructure deployment with full privacy and security.
The approach remains pragmatic: AI yes, but on your terms and with fine-grained controls over what leaves your NAS and under what conditions.
Availability and where to learn more
DSM 7.3 is available for download. Synology recommends reviewing:
- The release notes for detailed changes.
- The specific compatibility policy article, listing the 25 models in the Plus/Value/J segment that support third-party disks for creating storage pools (reminder: M.2 support still relies on HCL units for pools and cache).
As always, the update can be performed via Control Panel → Update & Restore or by downloading DSM 7.3 from Synology’s portal.
What DSM 7.3 means for different user profiles
Growing SMBs with data needs
- Automated tiering creates fast layers for active projects and decreases costs by transferring “cold” data.
- Updates to Drive/MailPlus reduce manual work and conflicts among team members.
IT departments focused on risk
- Sustained patching and management with KEV/EPSS/LEV for prioritization.
- Local masking of data in AI flows as an additional protection layer.
On-prem environments seeking AI without sacrificing privacy
- AI Console now has critical mass and adds data controls.
- Future compatibility with APIs compatible with OpenAI opens the door to combining proprietary solutions with external services without exposing information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Synology models can use third-party disks with DSM 7.3?
Synology states that 25 models in the DiskStation Plus, Value, and J series that upgrade to DSM 7.3 will permit the installation and creation of storage pools using disks not verified. The exact list can be found in the compatibility policy article. Remember that for M.2, the creation of pools and cache still requires units listed on the HCL.
How does Synology Tiering work, and what practical benefits does it offer?
Synology Tiering automatically moves files across layers based on access patterns (by frequency or modified date). It keeps hot data in fast storage and transfers cold data to more affordable layers. With customizable policies and schedules, this results in better performance for priority data and cost savings in fast storage capacity.
What do KEV, EPSS, and LEV indicators contribute to DSM 7.3 security?
These are industry-accepted risk indicators that help prioritize patches and measures:
- KEV: vulnerabilities already exploited in the wild.
- EPSS: likelihood of a CVE being exploited.
- LEV: level of exposure in local environments.
Using them together helps focus resources where the risk is highest.
Can I use AI on my NAS without sending sensitive data to the cloud?
Yes. Synology AI Console in DSM 7.3 allows local masking and filtering of data before any call to third-party AI providers. Additionally, Synology plans to support APIs compatible with OpenAI in upcoming versions, enabling private AI infrastructure integration while maintaining privacy and control.
via: synology