Synology DSM 7.2 Complete Setup Guide for NAS Configuration & Optimization
Synology DSM 7.2 Quick Start Guide: Comprehensive Setup and Configuration
Introduction to Synology DSM 7.2
Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.2 is an advanced, intuitive operating system designed to transform your Synology NAS into a powerful, centralized hub for data storage, backup, collaboration, and security. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for setting up and configuring your Synology NAS, ensuring optimal performance and security.
Step 1: Installing Drives and Understanding RAID Configurations
Installing Drives
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Drive Compatibility: Ensure your Synology NAS supports the drive sizes you intend to use (e.g., 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA HDDs or SSDs).
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Drive Installation: Refer to your specific NAS model’s manual for detailed instructions on installing drives into the drive bays. For a complete walkthrough of setup procedures and optimization tips, visit Installing Drives: a step-by-step guide to storage setup and optimization.
Understanding RAID Configurations
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is crucial for data redundancy and performance optimization. Synology DSM 7.2 supports various RAID types:
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RAID 0: Strips data across two or more drives for improved performance but offers no redundancy.
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RAID 1: Mirrors data between two drives, providing redundancy at the cost of storage capacity.
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RAID 5: Requires at least three drives; offers a balance between performance, capacity, and redundancy.
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RAID 6: Similar to RAID 5 but with an additional parity block, allowing for two-drive failure tolerance.
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RAID 10: Combines RAID 1 and RAID 0; requires at least four drives and offers high performance and redundancy.
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Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR): An intelligent RAID management system that simplifies RAID setup and expansion.
Step 2: Installing DSM 7.2
Using Web Assistant
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Power On NAS: Connect your Synology NAS to your network and power it on.
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Access Web Assistant: On a computer within the same network, open a web browser and navigate to find.synology.com.
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Select Your NAS: The Web Assistant will detect your NAS. Click on it to begin the DSM installation.
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Follow On-Screen Instructions: The Web Assistant will guide you through the installation process, including selecting the DSM version and configuring initial settings.
Using the DS Finder App
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Install DS Finder: Download and install the DS Finder app from the App Store or Google Play on your mobile device.
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Connect to NAS: Open the app and connect it to your Synology NAS.
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Install DSM: Follow the app’s instructions to install DSM on your NAS.
Step 3: Configuring DSM 7.2
Setting Up Storage
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Access Storage Manager: After DSM installation, navigate to the Storage Manager application.
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Create Storage Pool: Use the Storage Creation Wizard to create a storage pool by selecting your desired RAID type and adding drives.
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Create Volume: Within the storage pool, create a volume where your data will be stored.
Creating Shared Folders
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Access Control Panel: Navigate to the Control Panel and select Shared Folder.
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Create Folder: Click on “Create” to set up a new shared folder. Assign a name, select the volume, and configure access permissions.
Installing Packages
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Open Package Center: Access the Package Center from the DSM main menu.
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Browse and Install: Browse available packages and click “Install” on the desired package to add functionality to your NAS.
Step 4: Configuring Network Access
Enabling QuickConnect
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Access Control Panel: Navigate to the Control Panel and select External Access.
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Enable QuickConnect: Check the box to enable QuickConnect and follow the prompts to sign in with your Synology Account and set up a QuickConnect ID.
Configuring External Access
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Set Up DDNS: In the External Access settings, configure Dynamic DNS (DDNS) to access your NAS remotely using a domain name.
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Configure Port Forwarding: If necessary, set up port forwarding on your router to allow external access to DSM services.
Step 5: Enhancing Security
Enabling Firewall
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Access Control Panel: Navigate to the Control Panel and select Security.
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Configure Firewall: Enable the firewall and create rules to restrict access based on IP addresses and services.
Setting Up Auto Block and Account Protection
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Auto Block: In the Security settings, enable Auto Block to automatically block IP addresses with too many failed login attempts.
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Account Protection: Enable Account Protection to add a layer of security against unauthorized access.
Using Secure SignIn
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Enable Secure SignIn: In the Security settings, enable Secure SignIn to use two-step verification methods, such as one-time passwords or hardware security keys.
Step 6: Configuring Backup Solutions
Using Hyper Backup
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Access Hyper Backup: From the DSM main menu, open Hyper Backup.
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Create Backup Task: Click “Create” to set up a new backup task. Select a destination (e.g., local folder, remote NAS, cloud service) and configure the backup settings.
Using Snapshot Replication
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Access Snapshot Replication: Open the Snapshot Replication application.
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Create Snapshot: Set up snapshots to capture the state of your shared folders or LUNs at specific points in time for quick recovery.
Step 7: Monitoring and Maintenance
Using Resource Monitor
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Access Resource Monitor: From the DSM main menu, open Resource Monitor.
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Monitor System Resources: Use the Resource Monitor to track CPU, memory, disk, and network usage to ensure optimal performance.
Using Log Center
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Access Log Center: Open the Log Center application.
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View Logs: Review system logs for events and alerts to monitor the health and security of your NAS.
Step 8: Leveraging Productivity Tools
Using Synology Office
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Install Synology Office: From the Package Center, install Synology Office.
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Create Documents: Use Synology Documents, Spreadsheets, and Slides to create and collaborate on documents within your organization.
Using Synology Chat
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Install Synology Chat: From the Package Center, install Synology Chat.
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Set Up Channels: Create channels for team communication and integrate with other Synology applications for seamless collaboration.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively set up and configure your Synology NAS running DSM 7.2, ensuring a secure, efficient, and collaborative environment for your data storage and management needs.
To enhance teamwork and streamline workflows, explore using Synology Chat: streamlined team communication and collaboration.
About Epis Technology
At Epis Technology, we specialize in secure NAS deployment, data protection, and digital privacy management. Our goal is to help individuals and organizations simplify their Synology DSM setup while maintaining top-tier security, privacy, and efficiency. From configuration to compliance, Epis Technology ensures your NAS infrastructure is not only functional but future-ready.