How to Set Up NAS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device may seem overwhelming, but it’s actually a lot simpler than you might think. Here, we’ll guide you through the process of installing a NAS, including its dedicated operating system DSM and basic configurations.

First, unbox your NAS, in this case a DS1019+. Make sure the package comes with an AC power cord and adapter, installation guide, two RJ-45 LAN cables, hard drive tray keys, and 2.5-inch hard drive screws. Before connecting to your NAS, you need to install hard drives first.

Pull out the drive bay, remove the fastening panels from the sides of the drive tray, place the drive into the drive tray, and then insert the fastening panels to secure the drive in place. For 2.5-inch hard drives, use the 2.5-inch hard drive screws to secure them. To learn more about hard drive compatibility, visit Synology’s website for a full compatibility list.

Afterwards, insert the drive tray back into the drive bay until you hear a click when the tray is locked into place. You can use the key to lock the tray to prevent pulling out the hard drive during operation. Connect the AC adapter to the power port of the NAS, and use the LAN cable to connect the NAS to your switch, router, or hub.

Make sure your NAS and laptop are connected under the same domain. Now, press the power button to power on your NAS. To find your NAS via the Web Assistant, enter the following URL on your browser: find.synology.com. If the NAS is connected to the same domain, your DS1019+ will be found.

If you cannot find your NAS with the Web Assistant, visit Synology’s Download Center to download Synology Assistant. Click “Set up” to enter the DSM installation page and click “Install Now”. Please note, all data in your hard drives will be erased. Click OK to install DSM. During the installation process, please do not switch the power off. The NAS will restart automatically right after the installation, and you will hear a short beep when it’s done.

Now you have to create your DSM administrator account. Enter the server name, username, and password. You need to use these credentials to log into your Synology NAS and its corresponding services. Select an update frequency you prefer. It’s recommended to automatically install the latest DSM version to ensure your NAS is always up-to-date. Click “Skip this step for now” and we will explain how to set up QuickConnect later. Click “Yes”, and the DSM installation is complete. Click “Go” to start using your NAS.

If you’re using the NAS for the first time, you need to create a volume to store all the packages and files. Here we’re going to create one using Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR). Open Storage Manager and select “Volume” on the menu. Click “Create” and follow the instructions from the wizard. If you need to manually select the RAID type, select “Custom”, or select “Quick” to maximize storage capacity with SHR.

If you have four or more hard drives, select “SHR-2” to provide two-drive fault tolerance. Then, select the hard drive you wish to create the volume with and click “Next”. Make sure you understand that all data from the selected hard drives will be erased and click “OK”.

Select a file system. “Btrfs” is recommended because it can provide more advanced features to your NAS. Click “Next” and “Apply” to finish the settings. Once the volume creation is complete, the system will automatically run a parity check, and you can still use your NAS without any interruptions.

Now, we’ll guide you through how to set up a QuickConnect ID to connect to your NAS without complex network configurations. To get started, you need a Synology Account, which you can register for anytime from account.synology.com. With a Synology Account, you can access all Synology related services in one portal.

Go to “Control Panel” > “QuickConnect” > “Enable QuickConnect”, and log into your Synology Account. Enter your preferred QuickConnect ID and click “Apply” to finish the settings. Now you can access your NAS anytime and anywhere with this QuickConnect ID.

Synology NAS is an all-round solution for all your storage needs. Open “Package Center”, where you can find and install a variety of packages, such as backup, collaboration, multimedia, and more. Besides Package Center, you can also download the corresponding mobile apps via Google Play and App Store.

With your QuickConnect ID, you can connect to your NAS and access all the services and files anytime and anywhere. We hope you enjoy the installation of NAS. To learn more about Synology NAS, visit their website.