Remote Access on the Synology DiskStation
Overview
This article aims to illustrate to the administrator on how to conduct Port Forwarding on the network, for the goal of accessing the Synology DiskStation's Services remotely. Accessing the DiskStation remotely can be used for the following applications
- Provides a location on the Internet to access/retrieve data files on the DiskStation
- To access Surveillance Feeds, Stream Music, Photos to Mobile Devices
- Provide a location where backups can be stored.
- Remotely manage the Synology DiskStation anywhere in the world, where an Internet Connection is available
Notes:
- This article was written on DSM 3.1-1605
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- Conducting Port Forwarding
- Common Services and ports to access remotely on the Synology DiskStation
- Examples of accessing the Synology DiskStation remotely
- Manual Port Forwarding
Aspects of Port Forwarding and Remote Access
What is Port Forwarding?
Essentially speaking - Port Forwarding allows for remote computers over the Internet to access specific computers and/or services within a private LAN. This is handled through a Router, which handles the routing of internet data through specific ports on the network. Ports can be considered as specific access “doors” which various computers will respond to. Much akin to forwarding a phone call from New York, NY to Seattle, WA; Port Forwarding forwards a call from the Internet, to the local network, and into the DiskStation, where the DiskStation (or another computer service) will pick up the call and respond.
How to access services remotely?
To access a DiskStation or remote computer service remotely, knowing the external IP address of the WAN modem is required. This can be determined by visiting whatismyip.com which will display a webpage denoting the current external IP address. Knowing the WAN IP Address - this information can be given to anyone that needs access to the DiskStation Remotely. It is recommended to sign up for a DDNS Resolution service, covered in the next section.
What is a DDNS?
All Internet connections today are assigned an IP address, which may be Static (fixed) IP, or a Dynamic (variable, constantly changing on an interval) IP. To have it where it's easier to remember what the IP address is to a particular location is, names are often used, such as www.synology.com. This process is similar to using a Telephone Directory to find names of a person or service, which will then point to a telephone number.
Signing up for a Dynamic Domain Name Service Resolution is a way of where a new users can acquire a domain name for free or for a service fee - so that it's easier to remember where their network is on the Internet. The following DDNS Providers can be used currently with DSM 3.1, where the DSM can update the DDNS provider with the newest WAN IP Address of the DiskStation on a periodic basis.
- 3322.org
- www.changeip.com
- ddo.jp
- dyndns.com
- dnspod.com
- freedns.afraid.org
- no-ip.com
- selfhost.de
- two-dns.de
- zoneedit.com
Notes about Port Forwarding with ISPs
- Port Forwarding may only be available with specific ISP Contracts
- Ports may be blocked by the ISP
- Accessing the DiskStation remotely may increase or exceed the amount of data consumed within a specified billing cycle, please consult with the ISP to ensure that this limit isn't breached by excessive consumption of Internet Data.
- Please consult with your ISP or a network consultant to determine if Port Forwarding is available with your network
- For Internet Safety, only open ports that you need - and forward services that are designed for Internet Access.
Performance while accessing the DiskStation Remotely
When accessing the DiskStation through a remote network, performance of accessing files is mainly limited by the WAN network itself, as indicated in the above image. While this performance can be improved by purchasing a higher-tier contract - it may not improve the performance as the Internet has multiple routes to reach the final destination. As there are multiple routes - there can be a multiple number of bottlenecks on the Internet which can result in lower performance.
Enable services
The above image indicates common services on the DiskStation can be accessed remotely through Port Forwarding.
The Common Services and ports to access remotely on the Synology DiskStation article will list common ports and services which can be accessed remotely on the Synology DiskStation.
Compatible Router
Using of a Compatible Router with the Synology DiskStation will allow the DiskStation to control the Port Forwarding aspects on the Router. If a non-compatible router is used - and Port Forwarding is needed - then two options can be done
- Purchase a compatible router
- Port Forwarding can still be done manually through the Router Management Console.
Port Forwarding with DSM's EZ Internet Wizard
Overview: This article will guide the administrator in using the Synology DSM EZ Internet Wizard to enable remote access to the DiskStation, and create a DDNS name for the IP Address.
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Further Reading |
How to add additional Port Forwarding Rules to the Router
Overview: This article will guide the administrator in identifying the location of where the router management is handled within DSM 3.1
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How to change the DDNS Provider
Overview: This article will guide the administrator in identifying the location of where the DDNS Provider Administration is within DSM 3.1
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