Expanding Storage on Your Synology NAS: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Expanding storage capacity is a crucial step in maximizing your Synology NAS capabilities. With this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to expand your storage space effortlessly, allowing for efficient data management and storage flexibility. Let's delve into the details and explore the process together.
Step 1: Check NAS Compatibility
Before proceeding, ensure that your Synology NAS model supports storage expansion. Refer to the manufacturer's specifications or user manual to gather detailed information. Some compatible NAS models include:
| NAS Model | Maximum Supported Drives |
|---|---|
| Synology DS218+ | 2 |
| Synology DS920+ | 4 |
| Synology DS1819+ | 8 |
Make sure you have a NAS model compatible with the desired storage expansion.
Step 2: Select Suitable Hard Drives
Choosing suitable hard drives is vital for a seamless storage expansion process. Consider the following factors when selecting your hard drives:
- Capacity: Ensure the new hard drives have the necessary storage capacity you require. It is common to match the capacity of existing drives for compatibility and optimal performance.
- Form Factor: Check the form factor (e.g., 2.5" or 3.5") that your NAS supports and purchase hard drives accordingly.
- RPM Speed: Higher RPM speeds typically result in better performance. Select drives with matching or higher RPM speeds compared to your existing drives.
Step 3: Connect the Expansion Unit
If your NAS model supports an expansion unit, it is time to connect it. Follow these steps:
- Power off your NAS: Safely shut down your NAS before proceeding with any hardware connections.
- Connect the expansion unit: Use the provided cables to connect the expansion unit to your NAS, ensuring a secure and firm connection.
- Power on your NAS: After connecting the expansion unit successfully, power on your NAS and allow it to boot up completely.
Step 4: Use Storage Manager to Expand Storage
Once the hardware is in place, it's time to expand storage through the Synology DSM interface. Follow these steps:
- Open Storage Manager: Log in to your NAS using a web browser and navigate to the DSM interface. Locate and open the Storage Manager application.
- Select Volume: In the Storage Manager, locate the volume you wish to expand and click on "Manage" for that volume.
- Expand the volume: Within the volume management interface, click on "Expand" and follow the prompts to select the new hard drives and adjust storage allocation.
- Complete the process: Review the changes and click on "Apply" to start the storage expansion process. The NAS may take some time to complete the task, depending on the amount of data and chosen configuration.
Congratulations! You have successfully expanded your storage capacity on your Synology NAS. Enjoy the enhanced capabilities and flexibility.
Remember to always consult the official Synology documentation specific to your NAS model for additional guidance and troubleshooting information.
