In our previous video we physically connected a Synology NAS to our home network. So in this video we take a look at how we initially connect to a new NAS, and then install Disk Station Manager onto our blank hard drives. We will then run through the initial installation process, and explain which settings need to be changed.
Quick reference notes:
- From your computer open a web browser
- In the address bar type https://find.synology.com
- When you press Enter on your keyboard, Web Assistant should load.
Notes: In order to connect to a Synology NAS we will need to know its IP address. While there are multiple ways that we can find out the IP address that our NAS is using. As we intend to configure our NAS using a web browser, we will be using something call Web Assistant.
As long as your NAS in connected to the same internet connection as your computer, Web Assistant can be accessed from any device with a browser by typing https://find.synology.com. However as Web Assistant does not always work. If you are using a computer and experience connection issues, try using Synology Assistant for Windows, macOS and Linux. Alternatively, if you are using a Smart Phone or Tablet then try using the free DS Finder app which is available for the corresponding iOS or Android app stores.
- When Web Assistant detects your NAS, it will display some basic networking information about it. This will include its Device Name, IP address, MAC address, and serial number.
- Select Connect
- You now need to agree to Synology’s License agreement and Privacy policy.
- By selecting Next, you will be taken to the Synology Welcome screen so you can start to install Disk Station Manager.
- Choosing Install.
Note: If needed you can revert to an older version of Disk Station Manager. However, you will need to download the .pat file first. You can download .pat files from the Synology Download Center. Disk Station Manager 6 will be supported until June 2023.
- As we will be installing DSM7 we need to choose the option “Automatically download the latest version from Synology website“.
- Select Next
- We will be warned that any existing data on our hard drives will be deleted. Tick, “I understand that all data on these drives will be deleted” and choose Continue.
Note: Disk Station Manager will now be downloaded from the internet and installed onto your NAS. The whole process will be dependent on the speed of your Internet connection. However, you can expect the whole process to take between 7 and 10 minutes.
- At the Welcome to DSM7 screen choose Start
Note: In order to configure our NAS we will need to create an Administrators account. The Administrators account will have elevated access rights over the whole of our NAS, so should only be used to install, configure or manage services or accounts. Please do not use your administrators account as a user account, as this is seen as bad practise and a security issue.
- In Device name give your NAS a unique name. This will make it easier for you to find your NAS when you browse your network.
- In Administrators account enter the name of your administrators account
Note: You will not be able to use Administrator or Admin as the name of your administrators account. However the name you eventually choose to use needs to be easy for you to identify, so we like to use System-admin.
- In the Password field you need to use a password that is difficult to hack. Try and use a password which is at least 10 characters in length, use a combination of upper and lower case letters, has a least one number and uses a none letter character.
Note: For your password try and use something that is easy to remember. For example, if you are a Lord of the Rings fan you might try using something like Youshalln0tpass!
- Select Next
- When asked to select an update option for our NAS, we chose the option “Notify me when DSM or package updates are available and I will install them manually“. This was done to give us better control over our NAS.
- Choose Next
- For the option “Create a Synology Account to receive more benefits“, we chose Skip.
Note: Unless you intend to use a specific Synology service, for example C2 backup, there is little to no point in creating a Synology Account. While we have no corroborating evidence, we suspect that it might be more secure not to have your NAS connected to a Synology Account.
- Select Create
- In Device Analytics, we left “I agree to allow Synology to collect non-identifiable data to help improve Synology services” unticked, and chose Submit.
Note: As Synology do not state exactly what data they are collecting, we prefer to not give them permission to collect it. However, this is one of those strange situations where if they were collecting our data, how would we even know?
- The Disk Station Manager desktop will now load.
Note: While Disk Station Manager is now installed onto our NAS. As we have not yet created storage pools and volumes, which will allow us to store data onto our NAS. A wizard is presented to walk us through the process. So in the next video in the series we will be taking a more in depth look at this topic, and will try to explain which settings to use.
Additional resources:
- Spare network cables – Network Cables from Amazon
- Synology DS Finder – for Android
- Synology DS Finder – for iOS
- Synology Assistant for Windows, macOS and Linux – Download Center
Reference materials:
- Synology Support – Getting Started with DSM
- Wikipedia – Network Attached Storage
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