Configure Synology NAS for RAID storage involves several steps:
Step 1: Choose the appropriate Synology NAS model
Select a Synology NAS model that supports RAID functionality. Synology offers a wide range of NAS devices suited for different storage requirements.
Step 2: Install hard drives
Install the required number of hard drives in the NAS. Make sure the hard drives you choose are compatible with the selected Synology NAS model.
Step 3: Access the DSM (DiskStation Manager) interface
Connect your Synology NAS to your network and access the DSM interface. You can do this by entering the IP address of the NAS into a web browser.
Step 4: Create a RAID volume
In DSM, go to the "Storage Manager" application. Click on "Volume" and then "Create" to start creating a RAID volume.
Select the RAID type you want to use (e.g., RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, etc.). Each RAID type offers different levels of performance, data redundancy, and capacity utilization. Read the documentation to understand the pros and cons of each RAID level.
Step 4.1: RAID level-specific configuration
Depending on the RAID level chosen, you may need to configure additional settings:
- Set the number of drives to include in the RAID volume.
- Assign a RAID group name.
- Select the appropriate RAID type-specific options, such as stripe size or hot spare.
Step 5: Configure RAID volume settings
Once the RAID volume is created, you can configure additional settings such as:
- File system type (ext4, Btrfs).
- Volume label.
- Encryption options.
- Advanced options like iSCSI, SSD cache, or automatic data scrubbing.
Step 6: Initialize and format the RAID volume
After configuring the RAID settings, the NAS will initialize the disks and format the volume.
Step 7: Set up file sharing
Configure the file sharing protocols (e.g., SMB, AFP, NFS) and permissions to allow access to the RAID volume over the network.
Step 8: Set up data protection
Consider configuring data protection features such as snapshots, versioning, or backup tasks to ensure data safety and availability.
Following these steps, you will have successfully configured your Synology NAS for RAID storage.
