Knowledge base

Thank you for entrusting Infomaniak with the management of your Synology NAS server.

This guide allows you to quickly use the essential functions of your new product.

Manage the Synology

• What can you do with a Synology NAS?
• 10 reasons to host a Synology NAS in a data center
• 10 methods to secure access to the Synology NAS

but also...
 

• Security of data on Synology NAS
• Restart and reset a Synology NAS
• Perform a speedtest on Synology NAS

Backup your data
 

• Install a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate on a Synology NAS
• Configure a Synology NAS with Time Machine

but also...
 

• Back up Synology with Cloud Sync on Swiss Backup (Swift)
• Back up Synology with Hyper Backup on Swiss Backup (Swift)

Extend the features

• Link a domain name to Synology Infomaniak
• Create a custom MX (for Synology NAS for example)
• Configure DynDNS with a Synology NAS
• Create a private network between servers
   
• High Availability Synology NAS in a data center in Switzerland
   

but also...
 

• Connect a Synology NAS with a VPN
• Create a VPN in Switzerland with a Synology NAS

This guide details how to back up a Synology NAS using the Hyper Backup application via the OpenStack Swift protocol on Swiss Backup, the backup solution in an independent Swiss cloud.

You can also use Cloud Sync: read this guide (click here).

Prerequisites

• Have an Infomaniak Swiss Backup space with an available device quota (minimum 1) for a Cloud backup.
• Add 1 device of type Cloud to get OpenStack Swift settings.

Configure Hyper Backup for Synology NAS

To configure a new backup:

1. Log in to the administration interface of your Synology NAS (DSM).
2. If necessary, install the Hyper Backup application from the Package Center
   
   .
3. Open the Hyper Backup application.
4. Click on the + to add a new Cloud provider.
5. Choose OpenStack Swift from the list of providers:
   
6. Enter the fields according to the information specific to your device (read this guide - click here) and modify the drop-down menus if necessary as shown below:
   
   
7. Choose the volumes and applications to back up:
   
   
8. Set the backup frequency and check the box to enable encryption (keep the encryption key safe to be able to use your backup when needed):
   
9. Backup rotation prevents overloading your backup location by limiting the maximum number of backups to keep:
   

If you have insufficient backup quota in Hyper Backup or need to remove historical versions of backup data: read this guide

Restore / View Backups

To restore / view your backups:

• You can use any Swift client compatible with Keystone V3, e.g., Cyberduck.
• If your backups are in .hbk format (Synology proprietary format)
  • and you no longer have a NAS, download the .hbk file and use their Hyper Backup Explorer software.
  • consult their official guide to restore on another Synology NAS.

This guide provides instructions for strengthening the security of a Synology NAS.

Need to Secure Your Synology

Synology NAS devices are very popular and therefore are subject to numerous hacking attempts. It is important to properly configure your Synology and protect it with a strong password, otherwise it could be vulnerable to automated scans that search for and detect all Synology devices connected worldwide that have easily exploitable vulnerabilities.

Some best practices to implement to enhance the security of your Synology:

• Always update the Synology operating system (DSM) regularly.
• Open the Security Advisor application and perform a scan to detect security issues. Apply all recommended actions.
• Change the default port, which is set to 5000 (for example, 26753 or 38000).
• Enable and configure the firewall.
• Disable services and modules that are not used and not necessary for your usage.
• Avoid using MyDS if possible.
• Apply these Synology recommendations.

Learn more: https://news.infomaniak.com/securiser-acces-synology/

This guide explains how to create a custom MX record (in our example: mx.domain.xyz, assuming that domain.xyz belongs to you) to use in your NAS's MX configuration.

An MX record cannot be declared directly in the form of an IP address like 178.123.456.789, for example.

Custom MX Record

To access your domain names:

1. Log in to the Infomaniak Manager (manager.infomaniak.com) from a web browser like Brave or Firefox.
2. Click on the icon at the top right of the interface (or navigate using the left side menu, for example).
3. Select Domains (in the Web & Domaine universe).
4. Click directly on the name of the relevant object in the displayed table.
5. Click on DNS Zone in the left side menu.
6. Click on the blue Add a record button.
7. Choose MX as the record type and confirm.
8. Enter the desired MX record ("mx.domain.xyz," for example).
9. Point the record to the desired IP address (target).
10. Click the Save button.

This guide details how to backup a Synology NAS using the Cloud Sync application via the OpenStack Swift protocol on Swiss Backup, the independent Swiss cloud backup solution.

Introduction

• It is recommended to use Hyper Backup instead: read this guide

Configuring Cloud Sync

Prerequisites

• Own a Swiss Backup space from Infomaniak with an available device quota (minimum 1) for Cloud Backup
• Add 1 Cloud device to get the OpenStack Swift settings

To set up a new backup:

1. Log in to the administration interface of your Synology NAS (DSM)
2. If necessary, install the Cloud Sync application from the Package Center
3. Open the Cloud Sync application
4. If necessary, click on + to add a new Cloud provider
5. Choose OpenStack Swift from the provider list:
   
6. Fill in the fields with your device-specific information (read this guide - click here) and modify the dropdown menus as shown below:
   
    
7. Fill in the fields with your device-specific information (read this guide - click here) and modify the dropdown menus as shown below:
   
    
   1. Choose Location (default choice offered)
   2. Choose Container Name (this is the domain name in your device information)
        
8. Task configuration: enter...
    
   1. Connection name (e.g., OpenStack Swift)
   2. Local path (content to backup)
   3. Remote path (folder where your files will be backed up)
   4. Sync direction (transfer only local changes recommended for backup)

This guide explains how to link a domain name to the Synology NAS you rent from Infomaniak.

Associate a Domain

To link your domain name to the Synology:

1. Log in to the Infomaniak Manager (manager.infomaniak.com) from a web browser like Brave or Edge.
2. Click on the icon in the top right corner of the interface (or navigate through the left sidebar menu, for example).
3. Select Synology (in the Cloud Computing universe).
4. Click on the name of the relevant object in the displayed table.
5. Click on Link a Domain Name (in the Associated Domains section).
6. Enter a domain name.
7. Repeat the process if necessary for your other domains.

This guide explains how to restart and reset a Synology NAS (resetting is equivalent to restoring the device to its factory settings) that you rent from Infomaniak.

Restarting the Synology NAS

You can restart the NAS directly from the Manager.

1. Log in to the Infomaniak Manager (manager.infomaniak.com) from a web browser like Brave or Edge.
2. Click on the icon in the top right corner of the interface (or navigate through the left side menu, for example).
3. Choose Synology NAS (under the Cloud Computing universe).
4. Click on the name of the relevant object in the displayed table.
5. Click on Restart server (under Quick actions).

Resetting the Synology NAS

You can request the reset of your NAS from the Manager:

1. Log in to the Infomaniak Manager (manager.infomaniak.com) from a web browser like Brave or Edge.
2. Click on the icon in the top right corner of the interface (or navigate through the left side menu, for example).
3. Choose Synology (under the Cloud Computing universe).
4. Click on the name of the relevant object in the displayed table.
5. Click on Reset server (under Quick actions).

Two reset modes

You can choose one of the following two reset modes:

1. SOFT RESET: reset the administrator password and network settings
   Partial reset may be necessary if you no longer have access to the "admin" account. It allows you to redefine a password for the "admin" account.
2. HARD RESET: reset the operating system
   Complete reset is necessary when there is no longer access to the admin account due to erroneous configuration in the DSM firewall, etc. Resetting the DSM allows you to revert to factory settings. This operation generally does not affect disk data.

More details on the procedures here: https://www.synology.com/en-global/knowledgebase/DSM/tutorial/General_Setup/How_to_reset_my_Synology_NAS

Canceling the reset request

Once the reset is requested, wait and an "in progress" element will appear on your dashboard. At the same place, you can cancel this reset if necessary.

This guide explains how to perform a speed/iperf test in CLI between your computer and your Synology NAS. Speed tests can be useful to determine the download and upload speeds of the Internet connection to the Synology NAS.

Configure the Speed Test

1. Install the SynoCli Monitor Tools Package

1. On the DSM interface, go to the Package Center
2. Click on the Settings button in the taskbar, then go to the Package Sources tab
3. Click on the Add button
4. Enter Name: SynoCommunity
5. Enter Location: https://packages.synocommunity.com/
6. Confirm both windows by clicking the OK button
7. Then go to the Community tab in the left menu that has been added
8. Install the package: SynoCli Monitor Tools

2. Open SSH Connection

1. Go to the Control Panel of the DSM interface
2. Click on the Terminal & SNMP tab in the left menu
3. Check the box "Enable SSH service" on the right side of the screen
4. Confirm by clicking the Apply button
5. If you do not need the SSH connection, you can uncheck this box at the end of the test

3. Start iperf Server

1. On your computer, open the console (Terminal on macOS, Shell on Linux, PowerShell/Command Prompt on Windows)
2. Run the command: ssh dsm_username@ip_syno
3. Enter your user password and press Enter
4. Once connected via SSH, run the command iperf3 -s

4. Start the Test

1. On your computer, download the iperf3 client from the official website
2. Open a new console
3. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the iperf3 executable
4. Run the command iperf3 -c ip_syno
5. The test results will be displayed after a few seconds, showing the upload and download bandwidth between your Synology NAS and your computer

This guide explains how to connect to the operating system of a Synology NAS hosted by Infomaniak.

DSM Access

To activate and manage an Infomaniak Synology NAS:

1. Log in to the Infomaniak Manager (manager.infomaniak.com) from a web browser like Brave or Edge.
2. Click on the icon at the top right of the interface (or navigate using the left side menu, for example).
3. Choose Synology NAS (in the Cloud Computing universe).
4. Click on the name of the relevant object in the displayed table.
5. Click on the Activate my Synology button.
6. Wait for your Synology to activate.
7. Click on Manage my Synology from the Quick Actions block.

Afterwards, it is recommended to follow this guide to secure your Synology NAS.

This guide details the support offered by Infomaniak regarding the Synology NAS offer.

It is important to distinguish between the services offered by Infomaniak and those offered by Synology. Infomaniak focuses on the hardware management of Synology servers, while Synology focuses on the development and support of their operating system and software. In case of software-related issues, it is recommended to directly contact Synology support for appropriate assistance.

Hardware vs Software

Infomaniak is a company that provides hosting and server management services. In the case of Synology NAS, Infomaniak handles only the hardware part of the servers, also known as "hardware." This means the company focuses on the physical management of the server and not on software or system management, taking care of various tasks related to setup and maintenance.

Setting up Synology in our datacenter

Firstly, Infomaniak installs the server in its datacenter, which is a facility designed to store and manage servers and data.

Installation of hard drives

Next, Infomaniak installs the hard drives into the server, which allows for storing data and files.

Hard drive replacement

Infomaniak can also replace a hard drive if necessary. This might be required if a hard drive fails or if an upgrade is needed to improve server performance. In such cases, Infomaniak replaces the faulty or outdated hard drive with a new one and configures the system to function properly.

Rebooting Synology (hardware reboot only)

Additionally, if a hardware reboot is necessary to resolve an issue with the server, Infomaniak can also perform this task. Hardware reboot is a complete restart process of the server, which requires physical intervention on the server itself. Infomaniak is capable of safely carrying out such reboots to prevent any data loss.

Resetting Synology

Finally, Infomaniak can reset the NAS if needed. This involves wiping all data and files from the server to reset it to its default settings. This procedure is sometimes necessary to resolve technical issues or to prepare the server for new usage.