Setting Up Your Synology NAS: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Started
Deploying a Synology NAS is one of the most effective ways for businesses to secure their data, streamline file access, and build a reliable backup infrastructure. Whether your goal is centralized storage, hybrid cloud workflows, or enterprise-grade data protection, configuring your NAS correctly from day one makes all the difference. This guide walks you through the essential steps of setting up your Synology NAS and preparing it for business use.
Unboxing and Preparing Your Synology NAS
Before powering on the device, install your hard drives or SSDs into the NAS bays. For business environments, Synology recommends using NAS-optimized drives (such as WD Red Plus or Seagate IronWolf Pro). Ensure all drives are seated properly and the NAS is connected to a reliable UPS to protect against power interruptions.
Once the NAS is assembled, connect it to your network using a high-performance Ethernet port. For large offices or high-demand storage environments, a gigabit or multi-gig switch is strongly recommended.
Initial Setup Through Synology Web Assistant
After powering on your NAS, open a browser and go to find.synology.com. Synology Web Assistant will automatically detect your device on the local network. Select your NAS and follow the installation wizard.
You will be prompted to install DSM (DiskStation Manager), Synology’s operating system. DSM gives you access to all Synology apps, backup tools, and system settings. Once the DSM installation completes, create an administrator account and enable security options such as automatic updates and 2-factor authentication.
Configure Your Storage Pool and RAID Type
Your RAID configuration determines both performance and data protection. Synology offers multiple RAID options depending on your drive count:
• SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) for flexibility and automatic protection
• RAID 1 for simple mirror redundancy
• RAID 5/6 for improved performance and fault tolerance
• RAID 10 for high-speed enterprise workloads
For most SMB and enterprise environments, SHR, RAID 5, or RAID 6 offer the best balance of protection, scalability, and performance.
After selecting your RAID type, create a storage pool, and then set up volumes for organizing your data. Volumes can be separated by departments, projects, or security levels.
Set Up Shared Folders, Permissions, and Access Control
Your NAS becomes the central hub of your organization’s data, so permissions matter.
Create shared folders based on your business workflows: finance, HR, projects, backups, and so on. Assign user and group permissions carefully to avoid unnecessary access.
Synology supports:
• Windows ACL
• NFS permissions
• Advanced folder encryption
• Recycle bins for accidental deletions
To enhance security, enable AES-256 encryption for sensitive folders and apply multi-layer access control.
Enable Synology Drive for Collaboration
Synology Drive transforms your NAS into a private cloud, offering file syncing, versioning, and secure remote access. After installing Synology Drive Server, you can:
• Allow teams to sync files across devices
• Share large files securely
• Enable version history for restoring older files
• Improve collaboration without relying on third-party cloud services
This keeps your data in your control while giving teams the flexibility of cloud-based workflows.
Activate Backup Solutions for Full Data Protection
One of the biggest strengths of a Synology NAS is its built-in backup ecosystem. Depending on your needs, you can deploy:
• Active Backup for Business to back up PCs, servers, and VMs
• Active Backup for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
• Hyper Backup for NAS-to-NAS or NAS-to-cloud backup
• Snapshot Replication for instant recovery from ransomware
For hybrid cloud protection, Synology C2 Cloud provides an additional off-site backup layer.
Secure Your NAS for Enterprise Use
Before finalizing setup, strengthen your security posture:
• Enable firewall rules
• Turn on Auto Block for suspicious login attempts
• Use HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt certificates
• Restrict admin access to trusted IP ranges
• Monitor logs and alerts via Security Advisor
With these protections in place, your Synology NAS becomes a hardened, business-ready storage system.
About Epis Technology
Epis Technology helps businesses deploy, configure, and optimize Synology NAS systems for secure data storage, automated backups, and hybrid cloud integration. From Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backups to large-storage architecture and full disaster recovery planning, Epis Technology ensures companies have fast, reliable, and scalable data protection solutions tailored to their needs.