Just bought your first Synology NAS enclosure? It’s really easy to get up and running. Synology makes it easy to get started, regardless of which model you purchase. All recent Synology servers are able to run the latest version of Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), the best NAS enclosure OS.
How to set up a Synology NAS
Because Synology NAS enclosures are preassembled, all that’s required is the installation of hard drives. This is a painless process and doesn’t require any tools. After that, plug in the NAS to an available outlet and hook it up to your router. Then follow these simple steps on how to connect to a Synology NAS:
- Turn on the Synology NAS.
- Wait for the unit to boot up (it will beep when ready).
- Go to your PC and enter find.synology.com or the IP of the enclosure. (There’s also the Synology Assistant you can download.)
- You should now be greeted by the DSM install wizard.
- Follow the steps to initialize the drives, install DSM, and set up your account.
- Enter the IP of the enclosure again on your PC.
- Enter your account credentials and hit Log in.
If you provide access to others to the NAS, they’ll also use this login portal. Once you’re in you’ll be greeted by the DSM web interface. This is where you can carry out all NAS-related tasks, much like you would on Windows, Linux, or macOS.
You can install software like Plex Media Server through the Package Manager, configure storage volumes in the settings area, and even connect a surveillance camera or two. Once you’ve spent a good ten minutes browsing around the OS, it’ll feel like home.
If you find yourself hitting a wall, I’d highly recommend checking the help section for useful tips and handy guides if you can’t figure it out alone or using resources on NAS Master.
