Synology NAS Questions

[Captain Spaulding]

Hi,

I'm thinking of setting up some Synology NAS devices for a client but would appreciate some advice fro someone who has experience with these.

A DS212J at their office and a DS112J at an off-site location. I plan to backup the DS212J to the DS112J.

The client will use the office device to backup their files to and also for some local file storage. They also want to access the storage remotely and backup remotely if possible. When I am getting confused is the connectivity part.

1. They have a broadband connections in the office and the off-site location but without static IP's. How can the synology devices sync with each other without having fixed IP's, is this possible?

2. How can remote users access the office NAS with a static IP, again is it possible?

3. Is it possible for a remote user to backup their files or do they need to be connected to the local LAN?

The docs are a little unclear when it comes to setting these up without a static IP.

Thanks
Captain.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

OK I found the answer with a little hunting you can access it with a dynamic IP, I thought you must have been able to http://www.synology.com/support/faq_show.php?lang=us&q_id=326

 

[drjones]

I'd take a closer look at Netgear ReadyNAS.

I've had very good experiences with them and their product revamp looks very promising:

http://www.netgear.com/landing/storage/index.html

These new devices have Netgear's "Replicate" function built-in; it used to be a paid license, but not anymore. It will allow one NAS to backup/replicate to a remote NAS to create your own offsite backup.

Additionally, I'd have them work off of the in-office NAS directly and not touch the backup at all.

That way you don't have to worry about backing up their PC AND the NAS. If you let them work off of or in any way manipulate the backups, I can guarantee you they will screw it up.

If they want remote access, have them Teamviewer into their work PC, or Netgear has a remote app to directly access the files on the in-office NAS, from anywhere with an internet connection.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Looks like you found the answers BlueFish.....
Yes both can be done using a dynamic ip dns service....since both functions can be used via DNS names.

Synology units rock....IMO the best SOHO NAS units out there, even stepping into enterprise grade. We have an rack mount 2212+ model for our office. SOOOO many features.

 

[Thorstein]

Synology units rock

I would have to +1 YeOldeStonecat. Synology units do rock. I have put several in place for my business and for my customers. Knock on wood, we haven't had an issue yet.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

The client wants to be able to work remotely as well and sync their files to the synology box, kinda dropbox like. The Synology cloud services look ideal, a local folder on their PC which syncs to their home folder on the NAS and also the ability to create shared folders they can can use in the cloud with other chosen staff.

There might be a deal breaker here though, the client is a solicitors and they need their files to be stored and transferred encrypted. It looks like the cloud client can encrypt the files during sync (SSL). Storage is fine on the remote device (laptop) I can use Truecrypt to encrypt the whole disk however my understanding is from reading the forums while you can encrypt shared folders on the NAS you can't encrypt shared folders that are used by cloud services.

The risk is the NAS is stolen and the data in the shared cloud folders is unencrypted.

Is there anyone who knows if this is true or could test it on their device?

 

[scottay]

Unfortunately I can't answer you latest question regarding encryption, but I wanted to step in and add my recommendation for the product.

I was recently in need of a good, inexpensive NAS, so I hunted and read reviews for hours. When I came across the Synology line people seemed very impressed. After much consideration I decided to go with the DS112j for my needs, and went with the Western Digital Red line of drives for it... I couldn't be happier. The things are a breeze to setup, tie in nicely with Active Directory (as well as workgroup networks), have more feature then I could ever need and have options for cloud backup to Amazon S3/Glacier. They have the ability to download extra features, so whatever isn't built in is probably available.

I don't have any experience with the ReadyNAS, but I had a Netgear Stora a few years ago and absolutely COULD NOT stand it... horrible. The ReadyNAS is a completely different product, the Stora just put a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I purchased a DS112j for testing and I have to say first impressions are very good. Initial setup was a doddle.

I like the Cloud Station (dropbox like) feature, the lack of encryption for cloud station folders is a bit annoying but there are ways around this by using something like NetDrive/WebDav to view encrypted shared folders over the internet although not quite so good to keep them synced.

Data Replicator is very good and easy to setup to backup PC files when connected to the LAN and some good options for keeping versions etc.

Setting up private and shared folders is easy, nice and simple to assign individual and group permissions.

I've not had chance to setup the synology to backup to a remote synology yet using the Time Machine feature but it looks a simple process from the notes.

The DDNS setup was a very simple allowing remote access to the Synology from the internet using quick connect no problems with that at all.

There are loads of other packages I've not had chance to look at but the basic features look like they will serve the client well.

There are some small annoyances mainly the lack of encryption for cloud folders but I'm sure that will be added at some point in the future.

Overall very impressed.

 

[Martyn]

I purchased a DS112j for testing and I have to say first impressions are very good. Initial setup was a doddle.

I like the Cloud Station (dropbox like) feature, the lack of encryption for cloud station folders is a bit annoying but there are ways around this by using something like NetDrive/WebDav to view encrypted shared folders over the internet although not quite so good to keep them synced.

Data Replicator is very good and easy to setup to backup PC files when connected to the LAN and some good options for keeping versions etc.

Setting up private and shared folders is easy, nice and simple to assign individual and group permissions.

I've not had chance to setup the synology to backup to a remote synology yet using the Time Machine feature but it looks a simple process from the notes.

The DDNS setup was a very simple allowing remote access to the Synology from the internet using quick connect no problems with that at all.

There are loads of other packages I've not had chance to look at but the basic features look like they will serve the client well.

There are some small annoyances mainly the lack of encryption for cloud folders but I'm sure that will be added at some point in the future.

Overall very impressed.

Yes I have one in my workshop to try and find all the features, i'm still finding them. I set one at a client about a year or so ago and they love it. It is their file server, backup server and I have used 2 x 1TB drives for a raid one along with an external hard drive and backup to Amazon S3 in Ireland. The storage costs with Amazon is about £2 per month for 16GB+ !!!!. It costs for downloads but as my client says he doesn't mind paying for that as it is recovering his data. The restore from Amazon S3 is a pain as they don't support it directly only one file at a time but there is a 3rd program that you can use.

 

[KH58]

What would be next best model, pricewise, to provide RAID (2 drives) and use gigabit Ethernet instead of USB2?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

What would be next best model, pricewise, to provide RAID (2 drives) and use gigabit Ethernet instead of USB2?

You can compare models here:

http://www.synology.com/products/compare_spec.php?lang=uk

The DS212j gives you RAID, Gig Ethernet and USB 2.0