If you have been experiencing issues with your Synology NAS, for example data corruption or random reboots. A troubleshooting tool you should try, is to run a memory test on your NAS. While the memory test can take a couple of hours, it might help to identify a faulty memory module.
You might also find that your NAS performs better if you add additional RAM for Disk Station Manager to use. This is particularly true if you intend to run virtual machines, or you are running a large number of resource hungry services.
While not all models of Synology NAS can officially have their RAM upgraded, that does not mean that it is impossible to upgrade the RAM in your NAS. So if you do try a RAM upgrade, you probably will want to test if that upgrade will work. So in this video we demonstrate how you perform a Memory test on your NAS, and then show you how you see the results.
Notes: Synology provide a list of NAS devices and compatible RAM. So if you are considering a RAM upgrade it is best to start by checking this list. However as the compatibility list is not comprehensive, you may not find your model of NAS listed.
If this is the case more than likely Synology do not recommend that you try and upgrade the RAM in your NAS. However this is not to say that upgrading the RAM in your NAS is not possible. So use the internet to see if others have upgraded their NAS.
If you find conformation that your NAS can be upgraded. Try upgrading your NAS, but keep its old RAM in reserve. That way if after you upgrade the RAM in your NAS, but it does not pass a second memory test, you can revert back to your old RAM.
Quick reference notes:
- Download and run the Synology Assistant app. You can use Windows, Linux or macOS.
- From within Synology Assistant select Preferences, and check that Memory Test is enabled.
- Now highlight the device you wish to test, and select Memory Test.
- A wizard will open asking for the administrators credentials to your NAS.
Note: Synology Assistant will need the administrators credentials to your NAS, in order to send the command to reboot your NAS and start the memory test.
- When you select Finish the memory test will begin.
Note: In order to perform a memory test your NAS will have to reboot. While the test is being conducted no users will be able to access your NAS, so make sure no users are using your NAS before you begin your test. It’s also worth noting that the more memory you have installed, the longer the test will take. So for example it took us over 1 hour to test 16GB of RAM.
- Select Status in the Status column to refresh the status of your Test.
- If your NAS passes it memory test under Status it will report Ready.
Enable SSH on your NAS to see the Memory reports
- Log into Disk Station Manager using your Administrators credentials.
- Open Control Panel – Terminal and SNMP
- Select Enable SSH Service
- A Firewall Notification will appear to open port 22, select OK
- Choose Apply
Note: As you will only be opening port 22 on your NAS, and not the whole of your home network. Only devices connected directly to your home network will be able to access your NAS via SSH.
Access the Memory reports via Windows
- From the Windows Desktop search for and open Terminal
- At the command prompt type
ssh [your NAS administrators name]@[the IP address of your NAS]- You will be asked to give your computer an ECDSA key fingerprint, type yes and press Enter
- Next you will be asked for the password to your NAS
- You will now be connected to your NAS via SSH
- Type the following:
sudo cat /var/log/messages | grep Memtest- Any Memory test that you have conducted will be listed.
Access the Memory reports via macOS
- From the macOS Desktop, select Spotlight search and open Terminal
- At the command prompt type:
ssh [your NAS administrators name]@[the IP address of your NAS]- You will be asked to give your computer an ED25519 key fingerprint, type yes and press Enter
- Next you will be asked for the password to your NAS
- You will now be connected to your NAS via SSH
- Type the following:
sudo cat /var/log/messages | grep Memtest- Any memory tests that you have conducted will be listed.
Disable SSH on your NAS
Note: Never leave SSH enable on your NAS if you are not using it. While SSH is a secure way to remotely access your NAS, if left open it can be vulnerable to attacks.
- Log into Disk Station Manager using your Administrators credentials.
- Open Control Panel – Terminal and SNMP
- Untick Enable SSH Service
- Select Apply
- From the sidebar choose Security – Firewall – Edit Rules
- Within the list of your Firewall rules locate Encrypted Terminal Service and untick that option
- Select OK
Useful video links:
- Wikipedia – Secure Shell (SSH)
- Synology Article – How and when should I run memory test on my Synology NAS?
- Synology Article – Synology NAS RAM compatibility list
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