Guide

The Exhaustively Witty Guide to Setting Up Your Synology NAS: 50 First Steps Before Digital Nirvana

Sambit Biswas

21 May 2025 — 8 min read

Before we dive into what is essentially the technological equivalent of assembling IKEA furniture (but with far more blinking lights and significantly less cursing), let me assure you: your decision to purchase a Synology NAS is both financially questionable and technologically brilliant. Like adopting a digital pet that requires initial setup but will faithfully serve you for years, your Network Attached Storage device sits there, silently judging your procrastination.

As someone who once believed "RAID" was merely a bug spray and "Btrfs" was a keyboard smash, I present to you the definitive guide of what to do when that intimidating box arrives at your doorstep. Let's embark on this journey together, shall we?

The Physical Rituals: Unboxing and Assembly

1. Unbox Your Precious

Remove your NAS from its cardboard womb with the reverence of an archaeologist uncovering ancient pottery. Take a moment to appreciate the unscratched plastic and lack of dust—this will never happen again. As WunderTech reminds us, "This is the beginning of your NAS journey"^[1].

2. Find The Perfect Location

Place your NAS somewhere with good ventilation, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and curious pets/children who might mistake it for a toy. Think of it as choosing the perfect apartment for your data—close enough to be accessible but not so central that everyone trips over it^[2].

3. Install Your Hard Drives

The Synology's toolless design makes inserting hard drives shockingly simple—unlike trying to understand cryptocurrency. Remove the trays, pop in your drives (label side up!), secure with the side clips, and slide them back in. Click goes the satisfaction^[2:1].

4. Consider Memory Upgrades

If your model allows it, consider upgrading the RAM. It's like giving your digital brain a caffeine boost. NASCompares notes that "upgrading RAM can significantly improve multitasking performance"^[3].

5. Connect Your Ethernet Cable

Plug one end into your NAS and the other into your router. This is the digital umbilical cord your NAS needs to communicate with the world. As SpaceRex eloquently puts it, "Without network connectivity, your NAS is just an expensive paperweight"^[4].

6. Connect Power

Plug in the power adapter. Revolutionary advice, I know, but you'd be surprised how many tech support calls end with "Oh, it needs to be plugged in?"^[5]

7. Press The Power Button

Another groundbreaking step: turn it on. You'll hear a beep, which is your NAS's way of saying "Hello, World!" or possibly "Why did it take you so long to set me up?"^[1:1]

Software Setup: The Digital Awakening

8. Find Your NAS on the Network

Open a web browser and type find.synology.com. If technology cooperates (a big if), your new digital companion should appear. Alternative method: download Synology Assistant on your computer or DS Finder on your phone. Whichever technological divining rod you prefer^[6].

9. Install DSM (DiskStation Manager)

This is your NAS's operating system—think Windows or macOS but for your storage device. The installation wizard will guide you through downloading the latest version. Remember when installing software meant inserting 15 floppy disks? Progress!^[1:2]

10. Create Your Admin Account

Choose something more secure than "admin123" but less complex than "17th-century-French-poetry-with-special-characters." As SpaceRex warns, "You can't use admin or administrator as usernames"—truly devastating for the uncreative among us^[4:1].

11. Set Up Your Synology Account

This optional step enables cloud features. Like giving your NAS a passport to the wider digital world^[2:2].

12. Configure QuickConnect

This magical feature lets you access your NAS from anywhere without the networking knowledge of a Silicon Valley engineer. It's like giving your NAS its own phone number^[7].

13. Update DSM to the Latest Version

Nothing says "responsible tech owner" like immediate updates. Go to Control Panel > Update & Restore. Your NAS will thank you by not being vulnerable to last month's security threats^[1:3].

Storage Configuration: Where Things Get Serious

14. Create a Storage Pool

Launch Storage Manager and follow the wizard. This is essentially building the foundation of your digital house. Choose poorly, and that foundation may crumble later^[2:3].

15. Choose Your RAID Type

Options include SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID), RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, etc. For beginners with multiple drives, SHR1 is recommended—it's like having insurance for one drive failure. As NASCompares puts it, "SHR allows you to access all your data even if one drive gets broken"^[5:1].

16. Select Btrfs as Your File System

Unless you have specific reasons not to, choose Btrfs over ext4. It supports snapshots and data integrity checks. Think of it as choosing a smartphone over a rotary phone—both make calls, but one has significantly more features^[2:4].

17. Create Your First Shared Folder

This is where your files will live. Name it something sensible like "Documents" rather than "Random Stuff I'll Sort Later" (we all know you won't)^[5:2].

18. Enable Snapshots

These are point-in-time backups of your data. If someone accidentally deletes the family photo album, snapshots are your time machine. WunderTech recommends "setting up btrfest snapshots that are going to be very crucial to have and you will just be able to forget about them until you need them"^[1:4].

19. Create Additional Shared Folders

Consider separate folders for different purposes: Photos, Videos, Documents, etc. Organization now prevents digital chaos later^[5:3].

20. Configure Advanced Storage Features

If you installed NVMe SSDs, set up cache to speed up performance. It's like giving your NAS a sugar rush—everything moves faster, at least until the crash^[5:4].

User Management: Building Your Digital Community

21. Create User Accounts

Set up accounts for family members or colleagues. Each gets their own username/password combination—because sharing one account is like sharing a toothbrush: technically possible but deeply uncomfortable^[8].

22. Set Up User Groups

Create groups like "Family," "Kids," or "Colleagues Who Can't Be Trusted With Delete Permissions." Assign users accordingly^[2:5].

23. Configure Home Folders

Enable personal space for each user. Everyone gets their digital bedroom where they can be as messy as they want without affecting others^[1:5].

24. Set Up Permissions

Decide who can access what. Maybe the kids don't need access to your tax documents, and maybe your partner doesn't need access to their surprise birthday party planning folder^[2:6].

Security: Digital Fort Knox

25. Enable Firewall

Go to Control Panel > Security > Firewall. Check "Enable firewall" and feel instantly more cybersecure, like putting a digital moat around your castle^[2:7].

26. Activate 2-Factor Authentication

Because passwords are the digital equivalent of a screen door—somewhat effective but easily bypassed. 2FA adds a second lock that only you can open. Navigate to Personal > Account > 2-Factor Authentication^[2:8].

27. Run Security Advisor

This built-in tool scans your system and tells you what you're doing wrong. It's like having a security consultant who lives in your NAS and judges your choices^[2:9].

28. Set Up Auto-Block

Found in Control Panel > Security > Protection, this feature blocks IP addresses that repeatedly fail login attempts. It's like having a bouncer who remembers troublemakers^[2:10].

29. Create a Strong Password Policy

Force everyone to use secure passwords. Yes, they'll complain. No, you shouldn't care. Their grumbling is better than being hacked^[2:11].

Remote Access: Your NAS, Everywhere

30. Configure Port Forwarding (If Needed)

If you want direct access without QuickConnect, you'll need to set up port forwarding on your router. This is where the 15-year-olds often outshine the adults^[9].

31. Set Up DDNS

If your ISP changes your IP address frequently, DDNS ensures you can always find your NAS. It's like having your mail forwarded automatically when you move^[9:1].

32. Install Tailscale

As one Reddit user suggests, "For enabling remote management, consider installing Tailscale," which creates a secure network between your devices without complex configuration^[10].

33. Consider VPN Server

For the most secure remote access, set up a VPN on your NAS. It's like having a secret tunnel to your data that only you know about^[9:2].

Backup: Because Mistakes Happen

34. Install Hyper Backup

This app is your insurance policy against digital disaster. Navigate to Package Center and install it immediately^[3:1].

35. Configure Local Backups

Set up backups to external drives. It's like having a photocopy of your important documents stored in a different building^[2:12].

36. Set Up Cloud Backups

Configure backups to cloud services. SpaceRex notes the importance of "Setting up Hyperbackup on Synology NAS to backup your NAS offsite"^[7:1].

37. Create a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy

Three copies, two different media types, one copy offsite. It's the backup equivalent of not putting all your eggs in one basket—or even two baskets^[3:2].

38. Configure Backup Schedules

Daily, weekly, monthly—choose frequencies that make sense for how often your data changes. Like brushing your teeth, regular backups prevent painful problems later^[1:6].

File Access: Making It Useful

39. Install Synology Drive

This lets you sync files between your NAS and computers/mobile devices. Think of it as your personal cloud storage service without the monthly fees^[9:3].

40. Set Up Synology Drive Client

Install this on your computers to sync folders automatically. SpaceRex explains: "Synology Drive essentially allows you to get that kind of Google Drive feel"^[9:4].

41. Configure Mobile Apps

DS File, DS Photo, DS Video—these apps let you access your content on the go. Because what's the point of having a digital library if you can't access it from the bathroom?^[11]

42. Map Network Drives

For easy access from your computer, map your shared folders as network drives. It's like having a secret door from your computer directly to your NAS^[1:7].

Applications: Making Your NAS Earn Its Keep

43. Install Essential Packages

Visit Package Center to install apps like Synology Photos, Video Station, and Audio Station. Your NAS is not just storage—it's an entertainment center^[12].

44. Set Up Plex Media Server

For the ultimate home media experience, install Plex. SpaceRex notes "Without enabling remote access Plex is only able to be streamed within your house"^[7:2].

45. Configure Cloud Sync

If you still use services like Google Drive or Dropbox, sync them with your NAS for a unified experience^[3:3].

46. Explore Docker

For the technologically adventurous, Docker lets you run countless additional services. As WunderTech mentions, "if you're into containers," this opens up a world of possibilities^[1:8].

47. Set Up Surveillance Station

If you have IP cameras, your NAS can become a security system. Like having a security guard who never sleeps and doesn't require benefits^[3:4].

Maintenance: Keeping Your Digital Pet Healthy

48. Schedule S.M.A.R.T. Tests

These tests check drive health. In Control Panel > Hardware & Power > S.M.A.R.T., schedule regular tests to predict drive failures before they happen. It's like regular check-ups for your digital heart^[2:13].

49. Configure Email Notifications

Set up alerts so your NAS can email you when something goes wrong. Otherwise, it's like having a smoke detector with no alarm—technically present but practically useless^[2:14].

50. Document Your Setup

Write down your configuration details, especially RAID type and which drives are in which bays. Future You will thank Present You when troubleshooting becomes necessary^[1:9].

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've now transformed a box of electronics into a digital fortress that stores, protects, and serves your data. Your Synology NAS is ready to be the silent guardian of your digital life—backing up precious memories, streaming media, and ensuring your data survives even when hardware doesn't.

Remember: technology is meant to serve us, not the other way around. Once properly configured, your NAS should fade into the background of your life—reliably doing its job without constant attention, like a well-trained butler who anticipates your needs before you even realize them.

Now go forth and enjoy the digital peace of mind that comes from knowing your data is organized, backed up, and accessible from anywhere. Just try not to bore your friends by talking about RAID configurations at dinner parties. Trust me, I've learned this lesson the hard way.

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