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I just got a Synology NAS, now what?
- Thread starter apostolosdt
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I have the same model and use it for backing up my Macs as well as general use files.
Log into the NAS, go to File Station and from there, you can create folders (if you wish). You can access your NAS using Finder to make use a lot easier.
Log into the NAS, go to File Station and from there, you can create folders (if you wish). You can access your NAS using Finder to make use a lot easier.
I use it as a host for my ripped CDs which I access from Apple Music.
There are lots of great setup and best practices videos on YT, I suggest watching those that cover features you want.
I also have used (and still do use) the d2 Professional external HD's (currently have an older 8TB and a recently purchased 14TB). I keep kicking around the idea of trying a NAS, but for me, the only real use would be for wireless music access (primarily for use on a desktop DAC & amp headphone rig), and I'm not yet sure if NAS is the best solution for me. I tire of needing to attach my 8TB d2 (that houses my music library) every time I'm at my desk in my home office. First World problems, I know.
I've still got an old DS216play. It's quite handy for all sorts of general background stuff. I use mine for:
- Storage of stuff I don't access all that frequently but want to have available
- Time Machine backup for my laptop
- Plex server
- VPN server for travel
- Storage of stuff I don't access all that frequently but want to have available
- Time Machine backup for my laptop
- Plex server
- VPN server for travel
Time Machine is good, but I prefer Synology Drive for file backup. It has both file syncing and backup options. Give it a look.
Better logging, cross-platform, mobile app for access, automatic or scheduled syncing, and backing up over the internet via QuickConnect. You can also more easily set space quotas and manage number of versions, which gets important if there are multiple devices to backup. It offers easy file sharing via a web link too.
My only gripe is that it can fail or get noisy on cache files in the user directory that change all the time. My solution is to exclude some of the temp cache files from backup (easy to do). Saves time and space. Time Machine likely does this automatically.
It has been more reliable and faster backing up multiple Macs (compared to TM), and easy data verification and restores too.
Better logging, cross-platform, mobile app for access, automatic or scheduled syncing, and backing up over the internet via QuickConnect. You can also more easily set space quotas and manage number of versions, which gets important if there are multiple devices to backup. It offers easy file sharing via a web link too.
My only gripe is that it can fail or get noisy on cache files in the user directory that change all the time. My solution is to exclude some of the temp cache files from backup (easy to do). Saves time and space. Time Machine likely does this automatically.
It has been more reliable and faster backing up multiple Macs (compared to TM), and easy data verification and restores too.
I have Synology NAS but I have starting to think that I should get rid of it and just use some external HD's because when I have NAS on my network I need also good firewall but with external HD I think that I could trust just my mac?
No matter what, you should have a perimeter firewall, typically on your router, to protect the entire network (all connected devices). If you don't need access to your NAS from the internet, then your firewall should block access...so there is no extra risk.
The only real risk comes from granting access from the internet, so you or others can connect to your NAS remotely. If you can access it remotely, others can try to attack it through the same door you use (the open firewall ports). Lock the door.
No matter what, you should have a perimeter firewall, typically on your router, to protect the entire network (all connected devices). If you don't need access to your NAS from the internet, then your firewall should block access...so there is no extra risk.
The only real risk comes from granting access from the internet, so you or others can connect to your NAS remotely. If you can access it remotely, others can try to attack it through the same door you use (the open firewall ports). Lock the door.
True but I kind of feel that when I have NAS which is always on I need to have my PfSense firewall protecting it but when I have external disks connected to my laptop I can trust enough to that firewall which I have on my 5G model/router and on my Mac.
Hmmm...either you trust your FW or you don't.
Don't forget, you can configure the FW on the NAS itself too, as well as other safe guards to reduce the attack vectors.
For me, I upgraded the RAM then installed Home Assistant on a virtual machine, also installed JellyFin on Docker
There are good tutorials on "how to do that" on Marius Hosting website
There are good tutorials on "how to do that" on Marius Hosting website