Which is better for Synology: Dynamic DNS or QuickConnect?
Understanding What Synology NAS Needs for Remote Access
When businesses use a Synology NAS, remote access is a must-have feature. A reliable way to access the system from outside the local network makes employees more productive and flexible. This is true whether they need to get files, manage the system, or allow backup and synchronization. Explore Businesses with multiple locations can simplify file sharing remotely. Dynamic DNS (DDNS) and QuickConnect are two of the most popular ways to access Synology NAS from a distance. There are pros and cons to each method when it comes to performance, security, and control.
The best choice depends on the goals of the business, the layout of the network, and how much risk you are willing to take. This article talks about how DDNS and QuickConnect work, what their pros and cons are, and gives IT managers and business owners advice.
How DDNS (Dynamic DNS) Works
Dynamic DNS is a service that connects a hostname that doesn’t change to a public IP address that does. Most network service providers give out dynamic IP addresses that change from time to time. When you register a DDNS hostname, you can always reach a NAS device using a domain-like address, even if its public IP changes.
To turn on DDNS on a Synology NAS, administrators set up the DDNS provider in Synology DSM and make sure that the router’s port forwarding and firewall rules are correct. This method lets you connect directly to NAS services like file sharing, VPN servers, or management interfaces. See A detailed DDNS setup guide helps avoid common configuration mistakes.
Compared to QuickConnect, DDNS needs more knowledge and setup of the network, but it lets you predict how endpoints will behave and gives you more control over traffic routes.
What QuickConnect has to offer
Synology’s QuickConnect is a way to access your files remotely without having to set anything up. It connects the NAS and outside clients through a relay service hosted by Synology. This doesn’t require port forwarding or public IP visibility. If you have a Synology account, you can turn on QuickConnect in DSM and start using services with little setup. There are also secure ways to access Synology without QuickConnect.
QuickConnect makes it easy to connect to NAS resources without having to change routing settings. This is useful when network changes happen often or when network administrators can’t get to router settings.
A Comparison of Performance and Reliability
Dynamic DNS lets you connect directly, which can give you better performance and lower latency than relay-based access. When port forwarding is set up correctly, a DDNS hostname lets clients connect to the NAS directly using standard protocols. For workflows that need a steady flow of data, like transferring large files or backing up data remotely that needs to be done in a short amount of time, DDNS is the better choice.
When NAT or firewall settings block direct connections, QuickConnect may use relay servers instead. Using a relay adds extra latency and may limit throughput. This is fine for many tasks that need to be done quickly, but it can slow down moving large amounts of data or make the user experience worse when bandwidth needs are high.
Things to think about for security
When making NAS services available to networks outside of your own, security is a top priority. When using DDNS, administrators need to be careful when setting up port forwarding, use strong authentication, and think about using encrypted transport channels. A properly set up DDNS system allows for safe VPN access, encrypted HTTPS connections, and better firewall controls.
QuickConnect hides a lot of the security settings from the administrator. It uses HTTPS tunnels through Synology relay services to keep the NAS from being directly connected to the internet. A Zero Trust approach further strengthens secure remote NAS access. But this ease of use means that there is less control over connection paths and less visibility into external access points.
Simple to Set Up and Keep Up
QuickConnect is better because it’s easy to use. Companies that don’t have dedicated network teams can quickly set it up in DSM without having to change routers or manage firewall rules. This makes it a good choice for small offices, remote sites, or places where IT support is hard to find.
Dynamic DNS needs to be set up with the right network settings. To protect HTTPS access, administrators may need to set up port forwarding, manage router settings, and possibly even set up certificate management. It may be more complicated, but the reward is a stable, manageable endpoint that works well with enterprise network monitoring and access control tools.
Working with backup and cloud workflows
How backup systems work is affected by remote access. If a NAS is used as a backup target for remote endpoints or cloud sync tasks, it is important to have a stable connection. View how Cloud Station enables secure file sync and real-time collaboration. DDNS makes scheduled backup jobs work more reliably and lets you use hybrid cloud strategies. Because it is direct, it works with backup windows and restore procedures that need full bandwidth to work. Learn about Managed Synology hosting improves scalability and long-term data reliability.
QuickConnect’s relay-based access might be enough for occasional restores or light file retrieval, but it can have trouble with heavy backup workflows that happen all the time, especially when the data being backed up is large.
Making a Choice Based on Business Needs
When direct access, performance, and administrative control are most important, dynamic DNS is the best choice. It works well in places with:
- IT staff who are dedicated
- Rules for the internal network
- Workflows that depend on performance
Security needs that are under control
QuickConnect is best when you want to set it up quickly and don’t need a lot of network knowledge, like when
- Small offices in other places
- Home labs that you can access from afar sometimes
- People who need to connect quickly and easily
In real life, a lot of companies use both DDNS for workflows that need to be fast and QuickConnect as a backup way to get in.
Epis Technology in Brief
Epis Technology offers enterprise IT infrastructure, data protection, and Synology consulting services that help businesses find and set up the best ways to access their data remotely. The business is an expert at setting up Synology, making remote connections safe, coming up with hybrid backup plans, and improving performance. Epis Technology makes sure that NAS environments are reliable, secure, and in line with business continuity and performance goals. They do this by either adding Dynamic DNS to secure VPN access or QuickConnect for easier remote access.