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Guide to Synology UPS Compatibility

Why a UPS is Necessary for a Synology NAS

A Synology NAS is meant to run all the time, keeping important business data, backups, and apps safe. Even short power outages can cause corrupted volumes, failed writes, broken RAID arrays, or backups that don’t finish. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) keeps the NAS safe by giving it temporary battery power and letting it shut down safely and automatically when the power goes out.

A UPS is a must-have for businesses and professionals. It is an important part of protecting data and making infrastructure more resilient.

How a UPS Works with a Synology NAS

Synology NAS systems can work with UPS through:

  • Direct communication through USB connections
  • Advanced setups can use SNMP (network-based) monitoring

When connected, DSM can:

  • Find out when the power goes out
  • Check the battery’s status
  • Do safe shutdowns
  • Tell administrators about power events

This integration keeps storage systems from being damaged by sudden power loss.

UPS Support for USB and Network (SNMP)

UPS Connected by USB

USB is the most common choice and is easy for beginners to use. The UPS connects directly to the NAS, and the DSM takes care of power events on its own.

Best for:

  • One NAS environment
  • Small offices or labs at home
  • Setups that are easy and work every time

Many USB HID-compliant UPS models work with DSM right out of the box.

Network UPS (SNMP)

UPS devices that use SNMP can talk to each other over the network and protect more than one system at the same time.

Best for:

  • Many NAS devices
  • Hosts and servers for virtualization
  • Rack-based or business settings

This method makes it possible to monitor power from one place and shut down all at once.

UPS Brands That Are Known to Work Well with Synology

Synology works with a lot of UPS vendors that are standard in the industry. Brands that are often supported are:

  • APC
  • CyberPower
  • Eaton
  • Liebert (Vertiv)

Most of these vendors’ USB HID-compliant models work without any extra drivers. For UPS units that use SNMP, DSM supports standard SNMP protocols for monitoring.

Before you buy, make sure that the model is compatible.

What to Look for When Picking a UPS

Power capacity in watts and volts

Choose a UPS that can handle:

  • Power draw from NAS
  • Units for expansion
  • Switches on the network (if they are connected)

A UPS should give you enough time to shut down safely, not necessarily hours of use.

Support for USB or a network

Make sure the UPS works with:

  • USB HID for easy DSM integration
  • Or SNMP if you have to manage more than one system
  • Stay away from management tools that only work with certain systems
  • Battery life and the ability to grow

Think about:

  • Expected length of the outage
  • Availability of battery replacement
  • Support for expansion batteries

Longer runtime is helpful, but the main goal is to shut down safely.

Rackmount vs. Tower Form Factor

Make sure the UPS works in your setting:

  • UPS that can be mounted on racks for data closets or server racks
  • Tower UPS for small offices or desks
  • Electrical capacity is just as important as physical compatibility

Setting up a UPS in DSM

Once you connect, setting up is easy:

  • In DSM, open the Control Panel
  • Go to Hardware and Power
  • Choose UPS
  • Turn on UPS support
  • Pick between USB and SNMP mode
  • Set up when to shut down and how to get notifications

One NAS can also act as a UPS server with DSM, safely shutting down other Synology devices when the power goes out.

Problems with UPS compatibility that happen a lot

UPS Not Found

Often caused by:

  • USB chipset that isn’t supported
  • Models that don’t work with HID
  • Bad cables

Changing to a model that is known to work with this usually fixes it.

Reporting the wrong runtime

Some UPS units give wrong information about the battery. This affects notifications but not the ability to shut down.

  • Updating the UPS’s firmware often fixes problems with reporting.
  • NAS shuts down too early or too late.

Depending on the size of the battery and the load, the shutdown time may need to be changed. Proper tuning makes sure you are as safe as possible.

Best Ways to Protect NAS Power

  1. Connect the UPS to the NAS and important network gear
  2. Check for power outages every once in a while
  3. Allow DSM email or push notifications
  4. Change the batteries on time
  5. Don’t put too much on the UPS

Testing and maintaining power protection is the only way to make sure it works.

Aligning UPS and Backup Strategies

A UPS keeps your power on during sudden outages, but it doesn’t replace backups. Power outages can still happen at the same time as hardware failures or cyber attacks.

Best practice includes:

  • Protection for UPS
  • Backups at home and away
  • Snapshot and replication plans

These layers work together to make data truly resilient.

Epis Technology in a Nutshell

Epis Technology helps businesses build storage environments that can withstand damage by offering enterprise IT infrastructure, data protection, and Synology consulting services. The company focuses on setting up Synology, integrating UPS, planning backups, and making sure that businesses can keep running. Epis Technology makes sure that Synology NAS systems are safe from power outages and other problems by choosing the right UPS hardware and setting up DSM correctly.

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