Synology Setup Guide For Small Businesses

Synology Setup Guide For Small Businesses

Based on DSM 4.3

Nicholas Rushton, BA Hons. Callisto Technology And Consultancy Services

Second Edition ? 2014

Second Edition. This edition was updated on 21st March 2014.

Copyright ? Nicholas Rushton, 2014

The right of Nicholas Rushton to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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Contents

1. Hardware, Software and Infrastructure Considerations ...................................................................... 6 1.1 Choice of DiskStation/RackStation .............................................................................................. 6 1.2 Choice of Hard Drives .................................................................................................................. 7 1.3 RAID............................................................................................................................................. 8 1.4 Location ........................................................................................................................................ 9 1.5 UPS ............................................................................................................................................... 9 1.6 Internet Connection, Hub, Router, Switches...............................................................................10 1.7 Workstations ............................................................................................................................... 11 1.8 IP Considerations ........................................................................................................................ 12

2. Installation of DSM Operating System ............................................................................................. 14 2.1 Installation using Web Assistant.................................................................................................15 2.2 Installation using Synology Assistant ......................................................................................... 19 2.3 Logging In For the First Time..................................................................................................... 23 2.4 Creating the Disk Volumes ......................................................................................................... 26 2.5 Networking Configuration .......................................................................................................... 29 2.6 DHCP Considerations ................................................................................................................. 30 2.7 Power Management .................................................................................................................... 31

3. Folder Structure and Shared Folders.................................................................................................33 4. Creating Users...................................................................................................................................37 5. Accessing the Server.........................................................................................................................41

5.1 - Using A Browser ...................................................................................................................... 42 5.2 - Accessing A Shared Folder ...................................................................................................... 44 5.3 - Mapping The Drives Manually.................................................................................................45 5.4 Using the Synology Assistant ..................................................................................................... 47 5.5 Using a Script/Batch File ............................................................................................................ 51 5.6 Connecting an Apple Mac........................................................................................................... 54 6. Backups.............................................................................................................................................60 6.1 Preparation of External Drives....................................................................................................60 6.2 Weekly Procedure When Using Two Backup Drives ................................................................. 64 6.3 Using Data Replicator to Backup Laptops..................................................................................65 6.4 Use of Time Machine for Mac Users..........................................................................................69 7. Printing..............................................................................................................................................70 8. Working Remotely............................................................................................................................71

8.1 Setting Up Remote Access..........................................................................................................72 8.2 Using File Station ....................................................................................................................... 77 8.3 Setting up and Using a VPN ....................................................................................................... 79

8.3.1 Configuring Windows 8 Clients .......................................................................................... 81 8.3.2 Additional Information for Windows 8 Computers ............................................................. 86 8.3.3 Windows 7 Clients ............................................................................................................... 88 8.3.4 Verify Connections from the Server .................................................................................... 94 8.4 Setting up and Using Cloud Station ............................................................................................ 95 8.4.1 Installation of Cloud Station on Server ................................................................................ 96 8.4.2 Installation of Cloud Station on User Computers ................................................................ 98 9. Tidying Up, Miscellaneous and Security Topics ............................................................................ 102 9.1 Anti-Virus Package ................................................................................................................... 102 9.2 Populating the Technical Folder ............................................................................................... 104 9.3 Restore Old Data.......................................................................................................................105 9.4 Logoff Shortcut ......................................................................................................................... 106 9.5 Change Default File Save Location for Microsoft Office.........................................................107 9.6 Change DSM Logout Time.......................................................................................................108 9.7 Block Suspicious Login Attempts............................................................................................. 109 9.8 Block DoS Attacks....................................................................................................................110 9.9 Switch off Occasionally Used Services .................................................................................... 111 10. Housekeeping and Reporting ........................................................................................................ 112 10.1 Logging in to the Server.......................................................................................................... 113 10.2 Using the Synology Assistant software .................................................................................. 114 10.3 Setting up Automatic Email Notifications .............................................................................. 115 10.4 Using DS Finder on a Mobile Device ..................................................................................... 117 10.5 Checking for DSM Updates .................................................................................................... 118 10.6 Scheduled Disk Checks...........................................................................................................119 11. Connecting iPads and Other Mobile Devices ............................................................................... 121 12. Additional Packages for the DiskStation/RackStation..................................................................123

Introduction

This guide describes how to setup a Network Attached Storage device (NAS) from Synology for use in a small business. NAS systems are particularly suitable for many small businesses, offering a more efficient and affordable alternative to a conventional file server running Windows Server. The vast majority of businesses comprise less than 25 people and, whilst it is possible to setup a NAS to service hundreds or even thousands of users, the focus in this guide is specifically on small businesses and with an emphasis is on things that work and are useful in such an environment. The guide is supported with a growing website at: serverinstallationguides.co.uk.

There are numerous vendors of NAS including Synology, Western Digital, Netgear, QNAP, Buffalo, Thecus and others. Among these, Synology stands out for its rich functionality, useful features, flexibility and ease of use. Typically, NAS devices are controlled using web pages, making them clunky to use. However, Synology have a proper operating system with such familiar features as a Desktop and a drag and drop interface, analogous to a normal Windows or Apple Mac computer. It is also possible to install applications to further increase functionality. This operating system ? known as DiskStation Manager or DSM ? is accessed using a standard browser from another computer on the network. This guide is based around DSM 4.3.

A Synology NAS solution has the following benefits:

Provides shared folders and resources plus private areas (`home folders') in which users can store their work

Provides centralised storage, enabling easier management and backup (as compared to standalone computers or peer-to-peer networks)

Low cost, cheaper than a conventional file server and with better price performance Automatic, regular backup of data Remote access, including private cloud (analogous to Dropbox or SkyDrive but of huge

capacity and with no ongoing costs) NAS devices can be physically small and use little energy, giving low running costs NAS devices are reliable and almost maintenance free. Largely immune to viruses, they do not

require frequent software updates and have reduced support requirements Allows use of Home editions of Windows, enabling purchase of cheaper computers and those

from high street retail outlets No additional software licensing needed (no need for Client Access Licences or CALs) Works equally well with all modern versions of Windows as well as Apple Mac

It is true that NAS solutions tend to offer less control and management facilities than server-based networks, although Synology DSM mitigates some of this. For example, they do not readily allow central management of connected computers and do not allow so-called roaming profiles, whereby users have a personalised computing environment and desktop that follows them from computer to computer. However, in a small business the advantages far outweigh the potential disadvantages, which is why a NAS is often a good solution.

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