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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A reliable NAS setup has four separate jobs: initialize storage, organize shared folders, create independent backup tasks, and configure remote access for the protocols your users actually need. This walkthrough uses Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), with menu paths for DSM 7 where documented. Other NAS vendors use different names, wizards, compatibility lists, and security controls.
What a complete NAS setup includes
A NAS is not usable file storage merely because its enclosure is powered on. You must configure a storage pool and volume, create shared folders, add users and permissions, and then connect computers or applications to those folders. Backups are a separate design: data stored on the NAS is not automatically a second copy. Finally, remote access must be selected by workflow. Synology’s QuickConnect is convenient for supported applications, but it does not provide general SMB, AFP, FTP, NFS, or WebDAV access.
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The order below prevents common mistakes:
- Check the NAS model, drives, capacity, applications, and network requirements.
- Initialize storage and create at least one volume.
- Create shared folders organized around real users and data.
- Add accounts, groups, and least-privilege permissions.
- Configure a scheduled, versioned Hyper Backup task to a destination separate from the source data.
- Test a restore.
- Choose QuickConnect, DDNS, or direct port forwarding according to the application and protocol.
Plan the hardware and data layout before powering on
Match the enclosure to the workload
Estimate the number of people and devices that will use the NAS, the number of drive bays you need, expected usable capacity, and the applications you intend to run. A family storing documents and computer backups has different requirements from a small office with several simultaneous users. Drive count affects both capacity and the redundancy choices available on a particular model.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteDo not select drives solely by raw terabytes. Check the vendor’s current compatibility list for the exact NAS model and exact drive. Compatibility can vary by model, firmware, storage architecture, and drive family. The available documentation does not establish a universal drive list, RAID behavior, usable-capacity calculation, or model recommendation, so verify those items in the documentation for your hardware before buying or creating a pool.
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Decide what belongs on the NAS
Write down the data categories and recovery priorities first. Examples include household documents, photographs, media, and computer backups. Decide which users need read access, which need to modify files, and which folders should be private. This plan makes the later shared-folder and permission screens easier to configure.
Consider power continuity without assuming a requirement
A UPS may help a NAS ride through short power interruptions and shut down cleanly, but the sources for this guide do not establish a specific UPS requirement or a universal compatibility rule. If you use one, verify that the UPS model and connection method are supported by your NAS and that the shutdown behavior is configured as intended.
Initialize storage and create the first volume
Why the storage pool and volume come first
Synology describes shared folders as the basic directories used to store and manage files. DSM’s storage manager must have a configured storage pool and at least one volume before those folders can hold data. The exact storage layout and redundancy options depend on the NAS model and installed drives.
During first-run setup, follow DSM’s storage wizard to create the storage pool and volume. Record the usable capacity shown by DSM rather than calculating it from the sum of drive labels. Filesystem overhead, redundancy, reserved space, and model-specific options can change the number.
Create a shared folder in DSM 7
In DSM 7, open Control Panel > Shared Folder > Create > Create Shared Folder. Choose a descriptive name and the volume where it should live, then review the options presented by your model.
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- Recycle bin: Enable it where accidental deletion is a concern, and plan how it will be emptied so it does not consume unexpected space.
- Encryption: Consider it for sensitive data, but document the key-management and recovery process before storing the only copy of a key on the NAS.
- Permissions: Grant access by user or group after the folder’s purpose is clear.
- Advanced visibility options: Treat these as convenience settings, not access controls.
Create folders around actual use rather than making one giant share for everything. For example, separate household documents, media, and computer-backup data when their users, retention needs, or access rules differ. A hidden shared-folder name is not a security boundary: Synology’s help explains that hiding a folder from a network view does not prevent an authorized user from reaching it through its path.
Add users, groups, and permissions
Use individual accounts
Create an account for each person or service that needs access instead of sharing one administrator login. Individual accounts make it possible to remove one person’s access without changing everyone else’s credentials and provide clearer audit information. Keep administrative work in a separate administrator account rather than using it for everyday file browsing.
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Assign access by group and folder purpose
Where several users have the same role, create a group and assign the shared-folder permission to that group. Give users only the access required for their work: read-only for reference material, read/write for active project folders, and no access to private folders. Review inherited permissions and any application-specific access controls before testing.
Test from a non-administrator account
After saving permissions, sign in from a computer or mobile app as an ordinary user. Confirm that the intended folders open, that a test file can be created only where expected, and that private folders are denied. This catches the common error of testing with an administrator account that bypasses the restrictions ordinary users will experience.
Configure a separate, versioned backup with Hyper Backup
Why NAS storage is not automatically a backup
If the only copy of a file is on the NAS, a disk failure, accidental deletion, malware event, theft, fire, or other incident can still remove it. Hyper Backup can create scheduled, multi-version copies, but those copies must be sent to a destination that is meaningfully separate from the source. A second folder on the same volume improves organization or version history, not protection from failure of that volume.
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Choose a destination
| Destination | What it provides | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Local shared folder | Versioned copies on the NAS or another mounted local location | Convenient restores, but a destination on the same storage system may share the same physical failure or security event. |
| External USB disk | Hyper Backup can write multi-version copies to USB-attached storage. | It is a useful separate local destination, but a disk kept connected and in the same building does not protect against every theft, fire, power, or malware event. |
| Another NAS or file server | Copies can be sent to a remote Synology system or supported file server. | Requires a reachable second system and enough capacity; separate-site placement improves disaster resilience. |
| Public cloud | Off-site storage without maintaining a second NAS. | Recurring service charges, upload time, provider limits, and restore bandwidth affect the recovery process. |
Hyper Backup’s supported destinations and features vary by model and operating system. Confirm that the destination type you choose is available in your DSM version and that its capacity, connection, and restore tools match your needs.
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Create the task
In DSM, install or open Hyper Backup, then create a new backup task. The labels can vary slightly by package version, but the workflow is:
- Select the destination type: a local shared folder, USB storage, remote Synology system, file server, or supported cloud service.
- Enter the destination connection details and run the connection test. For a remote Synology destination, Hyper Backup Vault must be installed on the destination NAS.
- Select the shared folders to protect. Include application data or packages only when you understand how that package is restored.
- Set a schedule that matches the rate of change. Daily runs suit many household documents; high-change data may need more frequent runs.
- Choose notifications so failed or skipped jobs are visible rather than silently ignored.
- Enable compression when its storage savings justify the additional processing time and restore work.
- Configure versioning and retention. Set a maximum version count or a rotation policy based on how much data users can lose and how far back they may need to recover.
- Save the task and run an initial backup while monitoring its completion and destination usage.
Remote-NAS requirements
When the destination is another NAS on a different network, the remote workflow may require Hyper Backup Vault on the receiving NAS and firewall or router configuration. Required ports depend on the selected destination method and the two networks; do not copy a port list from an unrelated setup. Check the current DSM and Hyper Backup documentation for the exact service, port, encryption, and firewall requirements.
Test recovery, not just backup completion
A green job status proves that a task reported success; it does not prove that the files you need can be recovered in the form you expect. Periodically restore a representative document, a folder with its permissions, and—when relevant—application data to a test location. Record how long recovery takes and whether the destination, credentials, encryption key, and version history are available when the production NAS is unavailable.
Choose remote access by the workflow you need
Synology’s external-access guidance describes QuickConnect, DDNS, and router port forwarding. The right choice depends on the application, network topology, and whether you need a supported app or a general network protocol.
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QuickConnect: easiest for supported Synology apps
QuickConnect uses an ID-based connection so supported client applications can reach a Synology NAS over the Internet without manually setting up port-forwarding rules. It is useful when users work through supported DSM services and apps and want a simpler setup.
QuickConnect is not a universal tunnel. Synology’s supported-services documentation excludes third-party services and services that require a direct IP address or domain name. Explicitly unsupported use cases include mapping the NAS as a Windows network drive or Mac Finder location and connecting through SMB, AFP, FTP, NFS, or WebDAV. If your requirement is ordinary file-protocol access, do not assume that enabling QuickConnect will make it work.
DDNS: a stable hostname for direct connections
Dynamic DNS gives the NAS a hostname that can follow a changing public IP address. It is useful when a client or service needs a domain name for direct connectivity. DDNS does not, by itself, create a secure application tunnel or grant protocol access; you still need the appropriate service, firewall rules, encryption, and authentication.
Port forwarding: direct router-to-NAS mapping
Router port forwarding maps an external router port to a service on the NAS. It can support direct access for protocols that QuickConnect does not support, but it also makes the selected service reachable from the Internet and leaves you responsible for the router, NAS, service, certificate, authentication, patching, and firewall configuration. Open only the specific service and port required by the workflow, and follow the current vendor security instructions for your exact DSM version and router.
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Replacing a router or changing an Internet provider can alter the public address, firewall behavior, or inbound connectivity. Recheck DDNS status, port-forwarding rules, certificates, and application settings after such a change. A setup that worked on the old network is not proof that the new path is configured correctly.
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Remote-access decision table
| Need | Most appropriate starting point | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Access files through a supported Synology app with minimal router work | QuickConnect | The exact app is on the current supported-services list and does not require a direct IP or domain. |
| Reach a service that needs a hostname | DDNS, with the service’s approved secure access method | Hostname updates, certificate coverage, authentication, and firewall scope. |
| Use SMB, AFP, FTP, NFS, or WebDAV from outside the home or office | Direct access such as DDNS plus carefully configured forwarding, or the vendor’s current VPN guidance | Protocol support, encryption, router rules, NAS firewall, account security, and exposure to the Internet. |
| Connect two NAS systems for Hyper Backup | Hyper Backup’s remote-destination workflow | Hyper Backup Vault on the destination, reachability, firewall rules, required ports, and restore testing. |
Connect local computers after permissions are tested
For local access, use the protocol supported by the operating system and the NAS. Create the connection with the ordinary user’s account, not the administrator account used during setup. Confirm that the mapped share points to the intended shared-folder path and that users cannot browse into folders they were not granted.
Do not use a hidden share name as a substitute for permissions. If a user knows or discovers the path and has authorization, hiding the name from a network browser does not block access.
Common setup failures and recovery steps
The NAS appears online but no share is available
- Verify that a storage pool and volume exist and are healthy.
- Confirm that at least one shared folder was created on that volume.
- Check that the account has permission to the folder and is using the correct server and share name.
- Test locally before troubleshooting Internet access.
A user can see a folder but cannot write
- Review the user’s direct permission and any group permission.
- Check for a deny rule or inherited permission that overrides the expected access.
- Test with a newly created file and confirm that the volume is not full or read-only.
Hyper Backup fails or stops running
- Check the destination connection, available capacity, credentials, and task notifications.
- For a remote NAS, verify Hyper Backup Vault, firewall rules, router reachability, and the method-specific ports.
- Confirm that the source folders and selected packages still exist.
- Run a small test task to isolate a destination or permission problem before restarting a large job.
A backup completes but a restore cannot be found
- Open Hyper Backup’s restore interface and select the correct task and version.
- Verify that encryption keys or passwords are available.
- Check that the destination disk or remote NAS is connected and that the account still has access.
- Document the successful restore procedure for other administrators.
QuickConnect works in an app but a mapped drive fails
This behavior is expected when the mapped drive uses SMB or another unsupported protocol. QuickConnect supports only the Synology services and applications listed by Synology; it is not a general-purpose replacement for direct protocol access. Choose the vendor’s current direct-access or VPN instructions for that workflow instead of repeatedly changing QuickConnect settings.
Remote access stopped after a router change
Check the NAS’s local address, router forwarding rules, DDNS record, firewall policy, and certificate. Re-test from a network outside the home or office, because a local test can succeed through a different path than an Internet client.
Security and maintenance checks
- Use unique passwords and individual accounts; reserve administrator privileges for administration.
- Grant each shared folder only the access its users need.
- Keep DSM, Hyper Backup, Hyper Backup Vault, and client applications updated according to the vendor’s current support guidance.
- Review backup notifications and destination capacity on a schedule.
- Keep at least one backup destination separate from the NAS, and consider a separate location for protection from site-level incidents.
- Test restores after changing the NAS, backup destination, encryption settings, or network.
- Review remote-access exposure whenever the router, Internet provider, NAS model, DSM version, or application changes.
How to choose among storage and backup designs
Storage design is constrained by the NAS model, number of bays, compatible drives, redundancy options, and usable-capacity target. Because those values are model-specific, use the current compatibility and storage documentation for the exact hardware rather than relying on a generic RAID promise.
Backup design is a separate decision. A local shared-folder copy is convenient but may share the same failure domain. A USB hard drive attached to the NAS offers a practical removable destination and is explicitly supported by Hyper Backup, but it should not remain the only copy for data that must survive a site-wide event. A second NAS or cloud destination adds location separation, while also adding network, capacity, recurring-cost, or restore-time considerations.
Remote-access design follows the application. QuickConnect minimizes setup for supported Synology apps. DDNS supplies a stable name for direct connections. Port forwarding can expose protocols that require direct connectivity, but it increases configuration and security responsibility. None of these choices removes the need for strong accounts, current software, limited permissions, and tested recovery.
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Final setup checklist
- Confirm the exact NAS model, compatible drives, expected users, applications, and usable-capacity target.
- Create the storage pool and volume in the NAS storage manager.
- Create purpose-specific shared folders through Control Panel > Shared Folder > Create > Create Shared Folder in DSM 7.
- Create individual users and groups, assign least-privilege access, and test with a non-administrator account.
- Create a Hyper Backup task to a destination that is separate enough for the risks you are trying to survive.
- Set schedule, notifications, compression, and version-retention limits.
- Complete a test restore before treating the backup as dependable.
- Select QuickConnect only for supported apps; use DDNS or carefully controlled direct access for workflows requiring a hostname or general file protocols.
- Recheck firewall, router, DDNS, certificates, and permissions after network or DSM changes.
Synology’s documented workflows and labels change with DSM releases, models, destinations, and network layouts. The remote Hyper Backup documentation was current September 18, 2026; local and USB backup documentation was current August 10, 2026; the external-access quick-start guide was current June 4, 2026; and QuickConnect support documentation was current October 9, 2025. Check the current documentation for your exact DSM version, NAS model, destination, and router before applying an operational setting.
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