How I use my Synology NAS (settings, apps, backups, and more)

My Synology NAS is at the center of everything I do, so in this video, we dive into the exact settings, applications, and backup tools I use.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this video has been self-taught through years of technical tinkering. While we do our best to provide accurate, useful information, we make no guarantee that our viewers will achieve the same level of success. WunderTech does not assume liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to damage caused directly or indirectly from its content or associated media. Use at your own risk.

WunderTech is a trade name of WunderTech, LLC.

0:00 Intro
0:54 DSM (Storage Pool, Volume, Snapshots, Backups)
2:18 Synology Applications
2:29 Synology Drive
3:39 Cloud Sync
4:28 Synology Photos
4:50 Device Backups
5:49 Miscellaneous Tools
6:53 Proxmox Backups
7:35 Final Thoughts

[TechMeOut]

Loved the video Frank. Your setup is very strong, cohesive and spot on. As always, everything is explained beautifully and definitely fun to watch. keep it up buddy.

[xellaz]

Which Synology NAS do you have? You need to use data checksum integrity with data scrubbing and schedule it to run regularly to avoid your files getting corrupted. Unfortunately you said you are using SHR and this option is only available for raid 5, 6, and F1 in a Synology NAS. Have you tried Syncthing also? I feel it's the best app for syncing files securely locally and remotely. Anyway pretty nice set up you got there! 👍

[RobertM]

I enjoyed the video.
One question: I noticed you have one volume for everything. I’ve often wondered when to pick more than one volume and the same for storage pools.
I suppose having more than one storage pool is only needed if you have a need for different RAID types but not sure if there’s a reason to have multiple volumes.

[petermarin]

This is a great video - here's a video idea for you to consider (as I'm sure many of us are in this position, and you already cracked it).

Synology NAS <---> miniPC with Prox + Jelly + Transcoding

How did you set this up (from a hardware + software configuration perspective to have it reliable, performant and secure)?

It's not straight forward at all for someone to know what the LXC/ VM settings to pick + how to configure the Jelly inside for e.g. N100 mini PCs which are getting super popular.

[MichaelwAEL]

Would love to hear more on your use of Jellyfin, what does it do, how does it work, etc. need v101. I use Plex and looking to confirm what I have is still the right solution. Thanks

[Sapious]

Great video. I'm doing much of the same, especially treating the NAS as the core of my data storage. I have a well spec'ed Dell XPS handingling Proxmox, Docker, VPN, VM's. I'm backing up the XPS to the Synology and the Synology to the XPS on sight, also using BackBlaze B2 for offsite NAS data storage. I also hung a 4 TB USB drive on the Syno for Hyperbackup of the NAS, just in case ;-)

[tommye.]

Frank, great video! I'm a big fan. I'm also a synology owner, I'd love to hear about your overall storage (tb's) and how much is used (tb's). A more specific overall have & used space. I'm running a DS1621 with 2x4tb and 4x14tb, lots of video/media, big family so lots of phone photos and other archived digital photos. And I seem to run out of space. I have another 1621 with identical HDDs as a backup (nas to nas) but seems like my snapshots + HB clone seems to be HUGE.

[MagDag_]

Thank you! I'm using my NAS like domain controller to share access to my folders, outside of my network.

[facialplastic]

Looking forward to see your review about the new nases that will come this year.

[QuikTechSolutions]

Excellent video Frank. Thoroughly enjoyed watching.

[NiElsir]

Great video - always interesting to see how others use there Synology NAS's. I have a slight question on your backup strategy that I did not quite understand - you are using Active B4B to backup your windows machines to the NAS. Are you then backing up those Active Backup for Business backups using Hyperbackup? Or if not, is there a better way to get the backup of the windows machines into 3rd location or cloud storage without taking a backup of a backup?
Good work with the channel pal - it's come a long way and been a big help and resource for me many times. Cheers

[MichaelAlderete]

I’d be really interested in a deeper explanation of why you use NFS instead of SMB for your backup volume connections. It sounded like it makes permissions easier? That sounds off to me, like I missed something or there’s extra nuance or something.

Isn’t NFS ancient at this point? I know that SMB is still evolving, moving forward, and so seems like the more modern approach. What am I missing?

[marcelmancl]

Hello, excellent channel, with your experience you recommend using tailscale to make backups in two different locations ?? THX

[sylvainalain]

Hi Frank, do you plan to use Raid6 or SHR2 on your next 6-8 bays ? Do you plan to migrate your current NAS or your 5 bays will be use as local backup ? Buying new HDD is a big investment too. What’s your experience on migrating versus starting from scratch when you need more space with a new unit.

[DeanDetton]

I have a DS-918+ that runs all of my synology based services and docker containers. Just added a DS-1522+ that is used exclusively as a backup nas. The 1522+ handles time machine backups from local macs. It also handles ABB backups from local macs and PCs. Additionally, the 1522+ backs up the DS-918+ using ABB. I also use Hyper Backup to send important files to Backblaze B2. Is there a reason why you are not using ABB for your DSM backups? I've just recently added the 1522+ but so far, all appears to be working fine.

[wagnonforcolorado]

With the "new kids on the block" aggressively upping hardware in their upcoming NAS units, I hope Synology has plans to spec better/more expandable hardware in their next generation.

[dduhnut]

Great content but it would help if you showed the screenshots/illustrations for more than just a few seconds. You took the time to create them and edit them into the video, so you just need to extend the onscreen time to improve the flow and make it less jarring .

[claudebeazley]

Just a question, why are you considering Raid 6 over SHR2 ?

[iamnotapoet]

Thanks, as always, for the fantastic video. I see you use Synology drive to sync your DOCUMENTS folder to a Synology share. Does this work on macOS Sonoma with ICloud Desktop & Documents enabled. For my primary data it’s all ICloud Desktop and documents to a 2tb iCloud account for that and Photos too. But I have always been fearful or implementing two sync services (iCloud & drive at same time ). Is that safe? Are there kinks and conditions? Does apples new “Apple File Provider” cause problems. I know tag has wrecked havoc on Dropbox and One drive (which can no finger get backed up by Tie Machine and/or Backblaze . Do you have any words and wisdom on these kinds of sync services conflicts. PS. I am also DESPERATELY waiting for the DS1824+ that is 6 months late. Thanks for words of wisdom.
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[JohnBerthoty]

I'd like to use Active Backup for Biz, but whew... setting it up is proving to be bewildering. Gave up.