Complete Synology NAS Setup Guide for Modern Businesses

Synology NAS Setup: Everything You Need to Know for Efficient Configuration

A Synology NAS can be the backbone of your business storage, backups, and hybrid cloud workflows, but only if it is configured correctly from day one. A rushed or “click next” setup can lead to slow performance, security gaps, unreliable backups, and painful troubleshooting later.

With a structured approach to Synology NAS setup, you can build a secure, high-performance platform that grows with your business and supports your critical data for years.

Step 1: Plan Your Synology NAS Deployment

Before powering on your Synology NAS, take time to plan the environment:

Define your workloads – File sharing, backups, VMs, surveillance, or a mix.
Estimate capacity and growth – Current storage, plus 12–36 months of growth.
Choose the right disks – NAS-grade HDDs or SSDs sized for performance and durability.
Select RAID and redundancy – SHR/RAID levels aligned with uptime and risk tolerance.

Good planning ensures you do not overload a small unit with enterprise workloads or choose a RAID layout that cannot support your performance and resilience requirements.

Step 2: Initial DSM Setup and System Hardening

Once the NAS is racked or placed and connected, start with DiskStation Manager (DSM):

Run Synology Assistant or find the NAS via your browser.
Install or update to the latest DSM version.
Create a strong admin account and disable the default “admin” user.
Set time, region, and NTP to ensure accurate logs and backup scheduling.

Then immediately apply basic hardening:

Enable HTTPS and redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
Change default ports for DSM access.
Turn on auto-update (or scheduled updates) for DSM and key packages.

This builds a secure foundation before users start storing data.

Step 3: Configure Storage Pools, Volumes, and Shares

Next, design your storage layout properly. This is critical for long-term efficiency.

Create storage pools using appropriate RAID/SHR based on redundancy and performance.
Carve volumes from pools, separating workloads (e.g., one for file shares, another for backups or VMs).
Enable volume or folder encryption where sensitive data is stored.
Set up shared folders for departments, projects, and applications with clear naming standards.

Avoid placing everything in a single large volume if you have mixed workloads. Separation makes it easier to tune, protect, and grow the environment.

Step 4: Identity, Permissions, and Access Control

A well-configured Synology NAS uses centralized identity and granular permissions:

Integrate with Active Directory or LDAP for unified user management.
Build group-based permissions for shared folders instead of assigning rights user by user.
Apply the principle of least privilege; users only see what they need.
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for admins and privileged accounts.

Proper identity and access setup protects confidential data and simplifies ongoing administration.

Step 5: Network Configuration for Performance and Reliability

Network design is a major factor in NAS performance:

Use gigabit or multi-gigabit connections; consider link aggregation (LACP) for higher throughput and redundancy.
Place the NAS on the appropriate VLAN with restricted access from untrusted networks.
Configure the built-in firewall to limit management access to IT subnets or VPN users.
Optimize DNS and MTU settings in line with your switching and routing infrastructure.

This ensures fast, stable access for users and servers, while reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Step 6: Backup, Snapshots, and Disaster Recovery

A Synology NAS is not your backup strategy; it is part of it. During setup, define clear protection policies:

Use Synology backup tools to protect servers, PCs, and VMs on the NAS.
Configure Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backups if you rely on SaaS productivity tools.
Enable snapshot replication for critical shared folders and volumes to protect against ransomware and accidental deletion.
Set up off-site backups to another Synology NAS or Synology C2 to support disaster recovery.

Test restores regularly, so you know your configuration works before you need it.

How Epis Technology Makes Synology Setup Business-Ready

Setting up a Synology NAS is more than checking boxes in a wizard; it is about designing a resilient storage and backup platform that aligns with your workloads, risk tolerance, and growth. Epis Technology takes a structured approach to Synology deployment by assessing your existing environment, mapping data flows, and understanding your RPO/RTO targets. From there, the team designs storage pools, volumes, access control, backup policies, and cloud integration tailored specifically to your business. Epis Technology then handles implementation, documentation, and ongoing optimization, so you gain an enterprise-grade Synology setup without overloading your internal IT staff.

Step 7: Monitoring, Alerts, and Ongoing Optimization

After initial setup, build monitoring and maintenance into your operations:

Configure email and app notifications for disk errors, backup failures, and unusual events.
Review resource usage and capacity trends to plan expansions early.
Schedule SMART tests and consistency checks on disks.
Periodically review permissions, firewall rules, and installed packages to maintain security.

By treating Synology NAS as a living part of your infrastructure, you keep performance high and risks low over the long term.

About Epis Technology

Epis Technology provides enterprise IT infrastructure, Synology consulting, and data protection solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company specializes in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backup solutions, large storage architectures, and fully managed PC backups built on Synology NAS and hybrid cloud platforms. From initial design and deployment to performance tuning, cybersecurity hardening, and disaster recovery planning, Epis Technology ensures that your critical data is secure, recoverable, and always available to support your operations.