SUMMARY

A Network Attached Storage device (NAS) is a convenient way to make files available to multiple computers and/or users.  They are like mini file servers you can leave on all the time on your home network and come with pre-installed administration software.  This article is a very brief summary on the steps to get started with the Synology DS220+ Network Attached Storage (NAS).

Installing the Drives

There are two plastic drive holders that can be removed by pressing down on the clip at the top of the unit.  The unit's front cover is held in place by pressure only, so it is easily removed.  For a traditional disc drive, both of the side clips are removed.  They snap on and off with pressure only.

Synology DS220+ Network Attached Storage

Access the NAS Using a Web Browser

Although there are client programs for the Synology NAS released by Synology, the simplest way to access the NAS is with a web browser.   Synology provides a service to locate the NAS the first time at:  find.synology.com

The interface looks like a normal computer "desktop" with a limited program menu and a place to get more apps called the Package Center.  All of the Synology apps are listed first, and then after that there is a section for 3rd Party apps. If you need an app, go to the Package Center for an easy one-touch install.

Synology NAS "desktop" Interface

Setup Drives and Transfer Files

Before you can start transferring files to the file server, you need to prepare the drives.  You may have heard the terms "partitioning" and "formatting" when talking about computer hard drives.  Synology provides a Graphical Program to do these things for you fairly easily.

• Run the Synology app "Disk Station Manager" to prep the drives.
• Use the "Volume Creation Wizard" to create a storage volume.  After naming the volume, you can most likely accept all the default values.
• Use the File Station app on the desktop to create a new shared folder.
• For a local NAS, the fastest way to transfer files is to plug a USB drive into the Synology device and then use a web browser to access the File Station app.

Accessing Files for Common Use

To make your media files more easily accessible, Synology offers software that can serve up your photo, audio, and video files.  Audio Station and Video Station let you browse and play audio and video files over the web interface.  There are two options for photos.  Synology says the Photos Station is for more serious photographers who want to organize their own photos where folders are turned into albums but you have more control.   The app called Moments uses AI to organize photos for you and is branded as more consumer friendly.

While the Synology software is not bad and does give you a nice graphic interface, I use Plex as a media server and think it is far superior.  For both music and video, I think the display and choice of options are better by a large margin.  I did buy a Lifetime Plex Pass, so I don't really know how many features come with the free Plex version and what options are only paid.  The Plex software is available in the 3rd Party section of Package Center.  It is worth giving it a try.

NOTES

The Synology DS22+ is a little pricey at about 300USD (driveless) in 2021 but I'm very happy with it and would recommend it if you are going to get a NAS.  The value you are paying for is not having to go through all the work of setting up your own file server and in the case of Synology, they seem to have the best selection of software.  I am not an affiliate.

If you are not using the RAID system that gives you backup options and/or you want to include a cloud backup solution, there are many services that provide an app for the Synology DS220+.  I used iDrive and it works so far but nothing special about it.  The Synology app "Cloud Sync" has options for Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more.

My experience with a little more details is on my website  https://kimbriggs.com/blog/computers/synology-ds220-nas-initial-setup

A video showing the NAS to scale and how to load the drives is on Bitchute:  https://www.bitchute.com/video/jVWIPvAeKBzO/