📘 Synology NAS Setup & Configuration Guide (Comprehensive Tutorial) This tutorial covers everything from unboxing and initial setup to advanced configuration, data protection, security hardening, extended features, remote access, and backups for your Synology NAS running DSM 7.x. WunderTech 🧱 Part I — Initial Setup 🧩 1. Hardware Preparation Before anything else: ✔️ Ensure you have the NAS, power adapter, Ethernet cable, and drives (HDDs/SSDs) ✔️ Install the drives into the NAS bays according to the hardware manual ✔️ Connect the NAS to your router via Ethernet ✔️ Power on the NAS and give it a few minutes to start up (Hardware manuals vary by model — install drives and close trays firmly so they’re seated correctly.) coolblue.nl 🌐 2. Discovering Your NAS on the Network Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network as the NAS. Go to http://find.synology.com — this tool will locate the NAS automatically. Once found, click Connect to begin setup. WunderTech If it doesn’t show up: Check Ethernet connections Restart the NAS Confirm your PC is on the same local network (On many networks, the NAS gets a dynamic IP via DHCP — that will change later.) WunderTech 🛠️ 3. Installing DSM (DiskStation Manager) DSM is Synology’s operating system: Accept the license agreement Click Install DSM 7.x requires you to download the latest DSM version first Choose your model Under OS Version, pick 7.0 Series Download DSM The installer will warn you that existing drive data will be erased — confirm and continue The system installs DSM and reboots automatically WunderTech Tip: DSM 7.x has a redesigned UI compared to older versions. WunderTech 📌 4. Initial DSM Configuration After reboot: ✔️ Set a Server Name ✔️ Create your Admin Username & Password ✔️ Optional: Create a Synology Account ✔️ Choose whether to enable Active Insight or Configuration Backup (optional) WunderTech 💾 Part II — Storage Setup 📊 5. Create a Storage Pool & Volume To store data, you’ll create a storage pool and volume: DSM usually prompts this automatically. If not: Go to Storage Manager → Storage → Create Storage Pool Follow the setup wizard: Give it a name Pick the RAID type (e.g., SHR, RAID1) Select all drives you want to use Confirm you want to erase drives — this is needed to set up storage Choose how much of the pool to allocate Confirm and wait for the volume to be created WunderTech RAID protects against drive failure but is not a backup — be sure to back up important data. WunderTech 🌐 6. Set a Static IP Address A static IP helps ensure the NAS always has the same address on your network: Go to Control Panel → Network Interface Edit the LAN interface Choose Manual Configuration Enter a static IP, subnet mask, gateway, DNS Example: 192.168.1.50 Apply settings and DSM will reconnect with the new IP WunderTech 👉 You can also reserve an IP in your router’s DHCP settings if supported. WunderTech 📁 7. Create Shared Folders Shared folders are where your files live: Go to Control Panel → Shared Folder Click Create Set: Folder Name Volume location Recycle bin options Encryption (optional, but safeguard keys!) Configure folder permissions Done — your folder is ready for users and devices to access files. WunderTech 🛡️ Part III — Data Protection & Monitoring 🛠️ 8. Data Scrubbing Schedule Data scrubbing checks for disk errors: Open Storage Manager Select your storage pool Choose Schedule Data Scrubbing Enable it and pick a frequency (e.g., bi-annual) WunderTech 📸 9. Snapshots Snapshots let you rollback data changes: Install the Snapshot Replication package from Package Center Open it and pick folders to snapshot Configure frequency and retention policy WunderTech 🗑️ 10. Recycle Bin Task Automatically clean old deleted files: Go to Control Panel → Task Scheduler Create a Recycle Bin Task Set schedule and retention rules WunderTech 📊 11. Storage Analyzer Shows space usage trends: Install Storage Analyzer from Package Center Set reporting folders, schedules, and report retention Generate periodic reports to understand disk usage WunderTech ⚡ 12. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Protect from power loss: Connect a UPS via USB Go to Control Panel → Hardware & Power Enable UPS support Configure safe shutdown timing WunderTech 🔐 Part IV — Security Hardening 🆕 13. DSM Update Settings Keep your system patched: Control Panel → Update & Restore Enable updates: Automatically install critical updates or full updates at scheduled times WunderTech 🔑 14. Change Default Ports For security, don’t use default ports (5000/5001): Go to Control Panel → Login Portal Change HTTP/HTTPS ports Optional: redirect HTTP → HTTPS WunderTech 📛 15. Enable Denial-of-Service Protection Protect against brute-force traffic floods: Control Panel → Security → Protection Enable DoS protection on LAN interfaces WunderTech 🚫 16. Auto Block Blocks failed login attempts: Control Panel → Security → Protection Enable Auto Block Set thresholds and allow trusted IPs WunderTech 🔥 17. Firewall Configuration Control who connects: Control Panel → Security → Firewall Enable firewall Add rules to allow DSM, SSH, apps selectively Add deny all at bottom as default WunderTech 🔐 18. Two-Factor Authentication Add extra login security: Click the account icon top-right in DSM Enable 2-step Verification Use Authenticator app for codes WunderTech 🌍 Part V — Remote Access & Services 🔑 19. QuickConnect Synology’s easy remote access: Go to Control Panel → QuickConnect Enable QuickConnect Use your Synology ID to connect away from home Reddit 🛡️ 20. DDNS (Dynamic DNS) Allow a stable hostname for your external IP: Control Panel → External Access → DDNS Add a DDNS provider Synology has free synology.me options Reddit 🔒 21. VPN (OpenVPN / WireGuard) For secure remote access: ✔️ Configure a VPN server: On NAS (via VPN Server package) On router or via a Pi that’s reachable externally (This gives encrypted LAN-like access when you’re away.) Reddit 📦 Part VI — Useful Synology Applications 📁 22. Synology Drive (Sync & Backup) Synology Drive syncs files between devices and NAS: Install Synology Drive Server Install Drive Client on PCs Sync specific folders or devices WunderTech 🐳 23. Docker & Container Support Use Container Manager to run containerized apps: Install Container Manager Download and configure Docker containers e.g., Pi-Hole (This lets your NAS run network utilities, apps, etc.) WunderTech 📸 24. Synology Photos Auto photo backup/indexing app: Install Synology Photos Configure mobile and desktop backups Set indexing and album preferences WunderTech 🏡 25. Home Assistant & Media Servers Synology supports virtual machines and apps: ✔️ Home Assistant (home automation) ✔️ Plex / Emby / Jellyfin (media streaming) Install via Package Center or Virtual Machine Manager. WunderTech 💽 Part VII — Backup Strategies 📂 26. Active Backup for Business Perfect for centralizing Windows backups: Install Active Backup for Business Configure backup tasks Set retention policies WunderTech 🐧 27. Linux Backups Options include: ✔️ Veeam (free tier) ✔️ Rsync backup tasks WunderTech ☁️ 28. NAS-to-Cloud Backup Back up NAS to cloud storage: ✔️ Use Hyper Backup ✔️ Set Backblaze B2 or other cloud targets WunderTech 📦 29. NAS-to-NAS Backup Remote NAS backup: Install Hyper Backup Use Hyper Backup Vault on remote NAS Set schedules and retention WunderTech 💽 30. Local External Backup Use an external USB drive: Plug into NAS USB port Configure Hyper Backup to back up to external storage WunderTech 📌 Part VIII — Final Tips & Best Practices ✔️ Always have at least 3-2-1 backup strategy ✔️ Keep DSM and apps updated ✔️ Restrict remote access when possible ✔️ Use strong unique passwords + 2FA ✔️ Log events and review alerts regularly