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Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers are mainly intended for backing up and storing files, but they can also do a lot more. I’ve been using a two-bay Synology DiskStation DS718+ NAS for close to a year now, and I’ve found some cool ways to make it more than just a data dumping ground. Many people try to use home servers as full replacements for cloud services, usually with self-hosted instances of NextCloud and other similar tools. I’m not quite there yet—I don’t want to be my own IT guy for all my important data. For now, I’m mostly interested in...

A network-attached storage — or NAS for short — may sound like something only IT folks would use. But there are plenty of home NAS models that blend so well into your everyday digital life that you’d wonder why you didn’t get one earlier. A NAS doesn’t just give you peace of mind with backups — this small box can literally save the day when something goes south one random evening, like your laptop crashing or someone accidentally deleting years of photos. And no, you don’t have to be a techie to take advantage of a NAS and its various...

Your NAS operating system is a treasure trove of customization options and a myriad of settings that make a lot of things possible. But it’s easy for certain things to fall through the cracks — and if one of those is small yet critical, it could leave your NAS exposed to potential security risks. These tiny little settings can make or break the security system you’ve built for your NAS if you leave a low-hanging loophole in plain sight. Below are some important settings on your NAS that you must check to close such security loopholes. 7 Ditch default logins...

Storage company Synology is seeking candidates to test its Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices as part of a new campaign. Image: Synology To take part, Australian-based candidates must first submit their ‘vision’ of how they would use Synology devices to enhance their workflow – detailing how the storage devices can improve day-to-day tasks as a photographer. From these ‘visions’, three to five candidates will be selected by the company to receive a Synology NAS for ‘review’ – which they will also be allowed to keep. The selected photographers will have 90 days to work with their devices and publish their reviews...

Having enough storage space is incredibly important for our digital lives, whether it’s for documents, pictures, or other important files. We can handle this storage in many ways, from external hard drives, cloud storage providers, and networked storage like NAS devices. Plus, don’t forget about the 3-2-1 backup rule, which is just as important as the storage in the first place. Now, if you’ve only just started running out of space on your primary device, you might be tempted to pick up an external HDD or SSD to store the extra. That’s fine to begin with, but you will soon...

For years, pre-built NAS units from brands like Synology, QNAP, and Asustor have been the go-to for anyone looking to set up home or small office storage. They’re sleek, easy to set up and come with polished software. However, there comes a time when your requirements outgrow the capabilities of pre-built devices. Clearly, I’m not alone in this thinking, as the DIY NAS community is in an upward swing. More so, keeping in mind the increasing popularity of NAS-oriented operating systems like TrueNAS and Unraid. With that in mind, here are five reasons why I no longer buy a pre-built...

Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) is among the most beginner-friendly operating systems of any NAS brand. It guides you through the setup process to make it easy, even for first-time NAS users, and has a Windows or Linux-like interface so that you have minimal trouble figuring your way around the OS. While DSM is proprietary, many of its features have cross-platform alternatives that you can use on any NAS, be it pre-built ones like those from QNAP and Terramaster or your own DIY NAS running TrueNAS. Here are some of the best Synology features that you can install and use on...

Have you ever found yourself juggling external drives, struggling to share files with teammates, or worrying about losing critical media during a project? For video editors, these challenges can quickly derail creativity and productivity. Whether you’re part of a collaborative team or an independent creator managing multiple projects, finding a reliable, scalable solution for storing and sharing your work is essential. That’s where a Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) comes in. It’s not just a storage device—it’s a fantastic option for organizing your workflow, especially when paired with Final Cut Pro. But how do you set it up for seamless...

Summary Instead of spending thousands on a pre-built NAS, eBay offers great deals on enterprise-grade servers if you’re willing to do a little work. Enterprise-grade server hardware offers numerous benefits, like additional processing power, higher RAM capacities, and more expandability over desktop NAS systems. For an operating system, Unraid is user-friendly, simplifies setting up shares, utilizes parity drives, and supports virtual machines. I needed a lot of storage for home media, photos, videos, documents, and more. Instead of buying an extremely expensive Synology server, I went an entirely different route and built my own storage server for a fraction of...

Deciding between SSDs and HDDs for your network-attached storage (NAS) can prove challenging if you’re just starting out or are looking to do some upgrades. I’ve considered the move from HDDs to SSDs a few times now, but I always come back to the trusty mechanical hard drive. My reasoning involves costs, capacities, performance, and longevity (depending on workload). Here are some that prevent me from making the switch, though I’m sure I will do eventually. 4 You can store more on a hard drive They typically have higher capacities Try finding a consumer-grade PCIe or SATA SSD that beats...