5 things you should do first on your new Synology NAS

Synology DS119j

When buying pre-built Synology network-fastened storage (NAS), you're also acquiring a license to the manufacturer'due south Os, DiskStation Manager. Much like a new installation of Windows x, there are a number of steps you should take after setting everything upwardly to ensure you lot're going to have a great NAS experience. Here are some handy tips to get you started with the best NAS for dwelling house in DiskStation Manager.

Purchase some difficult drives

Synology SAT5200 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

If you haven't already done so, you lot'll need some hard drives installed within the NAS to exist able to utilise the device. We've rounded up the best and most reliable hard drives for Synology NAS that volition help you lot option the right drives for your enclosure. In one case you lot've installed some storage, you'll be able to install Synology Assistant on your PC and set upwardly DSM OS.

Seagate IronWolf

Seagate has a substantial collection of drives that are specifically designed for utilise inside NAS. The college-chapters drives fifty-fifty accept faster motors.

Gear up Synology QuickConnect

Synology DSM

Synology has a feature called QuickConnect, which allows yous to connect to the NAS at domicile without using any IP addresses. The servers at Synology will communicate with your NAS through a Synology account, allowing you to maintain a connexion fifty-fifty if your ISP refreshes your external IP. Information technology's also super easy to locate information technology on the local network if you need to connect a new device to the NAS.

Setting upwards QuickConnect is simple also. Information technology'southward office of the initial Synology NAS installation procedure but is an optional step. If you failed to set it upwardly during the installation of your NAS, simply open up the Control Panel and choose "QuickConnect." You lot'll then demand to enable the service, create a Synology account and give the NAS a name. The handy wizard will walk you through a few steps.

Configure DSM Bone

Synology DSM

Like most electronic devices, a Synology NAS allows you to manage power settings, configuring when the NAS will wake up from hibernation, how brilliant LEDs are, and how aggressive the fan(s) spin to keep the internals cool. Everything can be manipulated on a single screen, which makes doing so an absolute cakewalk.

Fire upwardly the Command Console and select "Hardware & Power." Next, you'll be greeted by four tabs' worth of settings.

Full general

General contains the post-obit:

Power Recovery — Gear up whether the NAS should auto-start on power failure or LAN activity.
Beep Command — Decide when the NAS will perform a organization sound sound.
Fan Speed — Configure how tranquility you wish the fan(s) to operate.
LED Brightness — Set simply how brilliant (or dim) the LEDs are for condition indicators.

Power schedule

Power schedules allow you to set just when the NAS will start upward or close down. This is handy if you use the NAS in an part or at domicile and just crave access at certain parts of the day. For case, you could set up ability schedules then the NAS would boot up at 7 a.m. and then shut downward at half-dozen p.grand. This not simply saves on wear and tear but as well power.

HDD hibernation

Hibernating your drives is a dandy decision if you don't require bulldoze access all the fourth dimension, but don't fancy having the entire system shut downwards to save power. Not only can you configure internal drives to go to sleep after a certain time of inactivity, merely as well external HDDs too.

Note that some apps and services you run on the NAS will override these settings and not allow your HDDs to hibernate. Plex is one such service.

UPS

Should you accept an uninterruptable ability supply (UPS), Synology allows you to hook upward the NAS to a UPS via USB to have information technology continue operation or perform a safe shutdown should a ability loss occur.

Download Synology'due south mobile apps

Synology DSM

Synology has a collection of mobile apps available for Android and iOS. Depending on what you wish to do, yous tin access files, photos, stream music, check surveillance cameras, and more. One great ability with the NAS and a smartphone is the automatic upload of all your photos — just similar you lot can on OneDrive and Google Bulldoze.

Don't fret as it'southward easy to support your mobile photos on a Synology NAS.

Back up Windows 10

Synology DS218+

Backing up your Windows 10 installation regularly is a expert practise. In fact, information technology'south such a not bad thought that nosotros highly recommend anybody does it. Even we have those odd times when Windows corrupts itself and requires a fresh install. You'll run the risk of losing everything if yous don't take a backup at hand.

Synology NAS allows y'all to configure Windows 10 PCs to send backups to the central device. If you have multiple computers at home or in the office, you can safely store all backups on a single NAS. Sure, you tin use discs or external HDDs, only having the process automated with a NAS is much more convenient.

We've got an in-depth guide on how to dorsum up Windows ten to Synology NAS if you lot want to become started quickly.

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