Approaching The Scene 284: How to Use Synology Drive as Your Own Free NAS Cloud Data Server

(LINKS BELOW): The third in my series of videos on using fast 10Gbe Network Attached Storage (NAS) for creative users, this video details how you can use your NAS to create your own cloud storage system. Using ‪@synologyinc‬ Drive’s PC, Mac, Android and iOS apps then enables you to upload, download, back up, sync and share data on your own cloud server from anywhere in the world, all with no storage limits or monthly fees.
My NAS setup video: • Approaching The Scene ...
My NAS/Backblaze backup video: • Approaching The Scene ...
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Thanks to everyone for the great questions you are sending in. Keep them coming either in the comments below or by emailing me directly. I hope to see you in the next Office Hours session.
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LINKED TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Intro to ATS 284
02:27 Quick review of setup and backup of a Synol
04:44 You need a 10Gbe switch between your 10Gbe NAS & computer
07:56 Setting up Synology Drive to create your own cloud sever
14:51 Setting Up & Using Mac & PC Synology Drive cloud storage apps.
19:39 On-demand sync, locally pinned files and sharing files
22:41 What if the power goes out? It will restore itself
23:45 Synology Drive’s app for phones & tablets (Android or iOS)
29:25 Join our Office Hours session next week!

[@shane9634]

Unbelievable timing - I have a Synology 1522+ being delivered today, I watched your setup video last night and after q morning coffee sat down at my computer to discover ATS 284. Think I'll dash down to the shops and get a lottery ticket.

[@luisfaustino]

lol, I also ordered that ds1522+ after those initial ATS NAS videos. I would suggest one getting a UPS device to protect against grid power loss and RAID data becoming corrupted, it’s almost mandatory.

[@ath3263]

This is so thoroughly put together with the earlier videos is the best I have come across to explaining the benefits

[@kennethscheepers1616]

Excellent addition to my NAS. Thanks Hudson, the instant syncing of working folders, on both my PC and Laptop is awesome, ensuring I'm always using the most current information/edits no matter what device I'm using plus having edited JPEGs on my iPhone no matter where I'm at. Thanks again for all you do, sharing your wealth of information.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

Excellent. I’ve used Synology for years as my personal I iCloud, though their Photos app leaves a lot to be desired! Happy 2024 to you all

[@luisfaustino]

Great video Hudson!

[@jimlarson4899]

Great info, Hudson. I have the DS-923 with a 10G card in it. I'll need to explore some of the sharing feature you covered. Very cool!

[@jerryhammond373]

Thanks! Just what I was looking for.

[@bernardjohnwright]

Great video and useful info. I've been using Synology for 10 years now and they are very reliable and super flexible. I still have them backing up to paid cloud storage as another safe option though am less concerned about the cost tbh.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yeah. Having 30TB online makes backblaze a much more reasonable option, plus it's best practice to have 2 versions in the studio and one in the cloud anyway so Goodsync/Backblaze works perfectly for me.

[@stevendente9270]

Excellent discussion of an important topic for photographers. Thanks for doing the work on this Hudson. I ended up doing a lot of research on my own. Your tutorial would have saved me a great deal of time. I did want the safety and capacity of a RAID attached storage device for my home computer. I don't need to share access, or have remote access, so I opted for the speed and ease of use a Direct Access Storage device (DAS) similar to what you said you originally wanted. I ended up with a very simple 2 drive box RAID box with 24 terabytes giving me 12 terabytes of storage. I have it protected with a UPS, and directly backed up off line without the intermediate drive you mentioned. Setting up is super easy with basically a DIP Switch hardware setting system. You have said that Synology doesn't offer this option, but other brands do if people are interested. I will not mention the device brand I used in case that conflicts with your channel. I just thought some might find a DAS more suited to their needs.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Oh yeah, there's plenty of DAS options out there, but many suffer from slower speed connections. Thunderbolt can be great, but most brands offering that arent truly dual platform compatible at speed. I couldn't be happier with the NAS over 10gbe myself though. It is blazing fast and can just grow and grow and grow so easily. The anytime anywhere access is icing in the cake.

[@stevendente9270]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Yes, NAS is clearly the right solution for your needs. No question on that.

[@Tryanphotos]

Great video explaining the practical applications of Synology Drive. When you touch on the topic of losing mains power to the NAS, for security of your data a UPS battery backup is essential. There is a higher risk that with storage pools, the NAS can become corrupted if data is moving when the NAS loses power. You really need a UPS for solid data protection. You can go into power settings in DSM and setup the UPS (get one with a USB connectivity to it can talk to and from the UPS/NAS) and create tasks so it shuts down the NAS at a given time should the power go off.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Great tip! Thanks

[@Tryanphotos]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto No problems! Just be sure to fine one that allow USB connectivity from the UPS to the NAS - In your power settings on the NAS you can control and fine tweak there :)

[@luisfaustino]

@@Tryanphotosyep super easy. Plug a usb cable, switch on the settings and you’re done. Spacerex as a short video on it.

[@johnarnsdorf]

Your videos are always thorough and well done, thanks! Quick question - do you import photos using Lightroom to the NAS and work on them from there? Or do you import/edit photos locally then migrate to the NAS for long term storage?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Yes I do!

[@gscharlach]

Thank you. I have been waiting for this for my Synology NAS. Can you load iPhone photos directly to the NAS as you would do to Apple iCloud? Best G

[@gscharlach]

Sorry, think I saw you do it.

[@sylvainalain6637]

Yes with Synology Photos. The app even call up iCloud so that you can download your whole pictures/videos collection.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

I'm not a huge fan of Synology's Photo app, but it works and the Drive app is great and allows that too very simply in the settings.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

tip: if you use the Synology SSD drives - the ones that plug in underneath, you can also use them as another storage volume! I added two 1Tb SSD there! superb! One day Synology will jet you use 3rd party drives without complaining about the warranty

[@tomwestbrook]

Do you cover moving photos to this NAS thing and how to fix Lightroom to find the photos in the new location?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

At the linked setup video. ;)

[@TheGSummit]

Am still having issues with setting up the quickconnect. Any help would be appreciated. I it says I have DNS issues go to network and I followed your video when setting the 10gbs card.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Hmmmm, I've had dozens follow it without issue. You connected over the standard ports to set up the DSM and hardware before switching settings to use the 10gbe port? You may need to reach out to synology. It may be a unique issue with your setup.

[@TheGSummit]

I have a feeling I didn’t enter the IP address as I should’ve when I entered it setting up the 10gpe card.

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

You can reconnect via the standard line to trouble shoot...

[@JDLVHIGHROLLER]

So I have tried 4 times now to download the desktop app for my Mac but I will not download - the mobile app downloads just fine to my iPhone. My permissions allow from App Store and known developers - so I would not think that is the issue? Any ideas?

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

You downloaded the Drive package in the DSM via the web portal and hit the link for desktop apps from there?

[@JDLVHIGHROLLER]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Yes sir - there is no App in the Apple App Store - I looked for it there when the linked one in the DSM did not work

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

@@JDLVHIGHROLLER hmmm. I'd search Synology's site. It was fine on my Mac... 🤔

[@JDLVHIGHROLLER]

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Figured it out!! my computer was not allowing ANY downloads - because the OS needed to be updated and apparently it blocked all downloads until that was completed. Once I upgraded the OS I have been able to download everything.

[@truenorth5072]

Unbelievable details and patience in explaining everything! Not seen any guy that can explain in such clear manner. Not even the IT professionals! Bravo!🫡

[@HudsonHenryPhoto]

Thanks so much for that!