Setting up a Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) DiskStation can seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance, you can have your own personal cloud storage up and running in no time. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just looking to secure your data, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.
First, carefully unbox your Synology DiskStation. Inside, you should find the main unit, power cable, Ethernet cable, drive mounting screws, and a quick installation guide. Place your NAS in a safe, well-ventilated area. Ensure it's close to your router for the initial setup
Before powering on the device, you need to install the hard drives.
Synology supports a wide range of
HDDs and SSDs. Open the drive bay, secure the drives with the provided screws (or use the tool-less design, if applicable), and then slide them back into the NAS.
Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to your NAS and the other to your router. Then, connect the power adapter and turn on the DiskStation. Wait for it to boot up; this might take a few minutes.
To configure your NAS, you'll need to install Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) software. On your computer, go to
find.synology.com or download the
Synology Assistant from the Synology website to locate your NAS on the network. The setup wizard should guide you through the DSM installation process. Follow the prompts to install the latest DSM version.
Once DSM is installed, you'll be prompted to set up your admin account. Choose a strong password, and
remember it; this account has full control over your NAS. Next, configure the network settings. Most users can stick with the default DHCP setting, where the router assigns IP to the NAS.
With DSM up and running, it's time to create volumes and shared folders. Go to the main menu, open 'Storage Manager,' and then create a new volume. Synology's SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) is recommended for beginners for its flexibility and data protection. After setting up the volume, create shared folders in the 'Control Panel' under 'Shared Folder.'
Go to the 'Control Panel' and then 'Security' to configure security settings. Enable the firewall, auto-block, and two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
To access your DiskStation remotely, set up QuickConnect or configure DDNS. QuickConnect is the easiest option; go to the 'Control Panel,' then 'QuickConnect,' and follow the
setup instructions.
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