upgrade – NAS Compares https://nascompares.com Simply passionate about NAS Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:04:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://nascompares.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-nctabimage-32x32.jpg upgrade – NAS Compares https://nascompares.com 32 32 107135767 Synology RAM upgrade not working https://nascompares.com/answer/synology-ram-upgrade-not-working/ https://nascompares.com/answer/synology-ram-upgrade-not-working/#comments Tue, 17 May 2022 15:50:54 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?post_type=answer&p=57824

Synology not recognizing RAM. Same RAM others claim to be working.

Few potential things to try before sending your RAM back to the shop:
-Try RAM installed before DSM7 upgrade
-RAM not working because CMOS has an error from a previously tried the incompatible RAM (if trying few different brands)
-HDD cache has logged failed RAM. Replace with original RAM before trying a new brand
– run Synology ram check via Synology assistant
-disable virtual machine RAM before removing physical stick
-RAM is physically damaged (static shock etc)
-RAM comes from different factories and different firmware
-RAM somehow didn’t click in a slot
-dual single rank RAM even though it sounds exactly the same by model

– remove original RAM before upgrading

-leave it for 10 minutes for RAM test to complete

https://kb.synology.com/en-global/DSM/tutorial/Why_is_there_a_startup_delay_after_a_memory_upgrade
https://kb.synology.com/en-me/DSM/tutorial/How_to_upgrade_memory_capacity_for_Synology_NAS

 

Synology Unofficial Memory On DSM 7.1 – DS920+, DS220+, DS720+, DS420+ And DS1520+ NAS – https://nascompares.com/guide/synolog…

 

 

 

 

Memory I tested in this video (with Amazon links):

Other Memory that has been tested and worked:

 

 


Samsung D4NESO-2666-4GDDR4 CL19 2666MHz CL194GBDS920+DSM 7.1OPEN↗ 26th Apr
▲ 100%
Kingston KSM26SED82666MT/s DDR4 ECC CL19 SODIMM 2Rx82666MT/s DDR4 ECC CL19 SODIMM 2Rx8DS923+DSM7OPEN↗ 19th Nov
▲ 100%
DUOMEIQI 1x8G-12800SLPC3-12800 DDR3 1600Mhz 8GB4+8GBDS918+DSM 7.1-42661OPEN↗ 1st Jun
DUOMEIQI PC3-12800 DDR31600Mhz 8GB 2Rx8 1.35V CL118GBDS918+DSM 7.1-42661OPEN↗ 22nd Jul
Crucial CT2K32G4SFD82662666 MHz CL192x32GBDS1821+7.0.1-42218OPEN↗ 27th May
▼ 0%

 



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]]> https://nascompares.com/answer/synology-ram-upgrade-not-working/feed/ 55 57824 Synology Release DSM 7.2.2 – Should You Upgrade? https://nascompares.com/news/synology-dsm-7-2-2-update-a-major-shift-in-multimedia-support/ https://nascompares.com/news/synology-dsm-7-2-2-update-a-major-shift-in-multimedia-support/#comments Mon, 26 Aug 2024 10:50:00 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?post_type=news&p=73457 Synology DSM 7.2.2 Update: A Major Shift in Multimedia Support

Synology has just released the DSM 7.2.2 update, and it’s causing quite a stir among NAS enthusiasts, especially those who rely on their Synology NAS for multimedia purposes. With significant changes to how multimedia is handled, this update could be a turning point for many users. Let’s dive into what this update means for your NAS experience, particularly focusing on the multimedia aspects.

Current issues people face after upgrading [Update on 27th August 2024]:

Based on the provided information, here are the issues people have encountered so far with the DSM 7.2.2 update:

  1. Removal of Video Station Support: The update no longer supports Video Station, which has upset users who rely on this feature for media management and playback.
  2. Incompatibility with Plex: The DSM 7.2.2 update has caused issues with Plex, requiring users to update to a new version of Plex specifically compatible with DSM 7.2.2.
  3. iDrive Package Incompatibility: Users have reported that the iDrive package is not compatible with DSM 7.2.2, causing it to stop working on some systems.
  4. Issues with HEIC and HEVC Media: Newly uploaded HEIC photos and HEVC (H.265) videos may not be processed correctly, which is a concern for users managing high-efficiency media formats.
  5. Problems with DDNS and Hyper Backup: External access via DDNS for Hyper Backup does not work properly, affecting remote backup capabilities.

PLEX FIXES

Recent discussions on Reddit reveal that Synology’s decision to discontinue support for Video Station (DS Video) has left many users disappointed. The removal of Video Station from the Package Center, especially after the DSM 7.2.2 update, has created frustration among those who relied on it for viewing family videos through Quick Connect. The app was known for providing a simple, out-of-the-box solution for media playback, including the generation of video thumbnails, which enhanced the user experience by showing previews before playing videos.

Users have expressed concerns about the lack of a clear alternative, with some suggesting that Synology Photos or third-party options like Plex and Jellyfin could fill the gap. However, these alternatives may not provide the same seamless integration or specific functionalities, such as subtitle support and ease of use for non-technical family members, that Video Station offered. The discontinuation is seen as part of Synology’s broader move away from supporting certain media codecs due to licensing costs, which is viewed by many as a step back for consumer-focused features. This shift has led some long-time Synology users to reconsider their loyalty, as the company appears to be focusing more on business clients rather than home users.

DSM 7.2.2 breaks Plex for whatever reason.

Plex has released a new version, specifically for DSM 7.2.2+ but the link is only available for Plex pass users…

So here are the direct links:

ARMv7:
https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.41.0.8911-1bd569c5f/synology-dsm72/PlexMediaServer-1.41.0.8911-1bd569c5f-armv7neon_DSM72.spk

ARMv8:
https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.41.0.8911-1bd569c5f/synology-dsm72/PlexMediaServer-1.41.0.8911-1bd569c5f-aarch64_DSM72.spk

Intel/AMD 64-bit:
https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.41.0.8911-1bd569c5f/synology-dsm72/PlexMediaServer-1.41.0.8911-1bd569c5f-x86_64_DSM72.spk

The recent DSM 7.2.2 update for Synology NAS systems has sparked significant concern among users due to changes in how HEIC photos and HEVC (H.265) videos are handled in Synology Photos. Unlike previous versions, where the NAS handled the generation of previews and thumbnails for these file formats, the latest update offloads this task to client devices. This shift requires users to install the Synology Image Assistant extension on their desktops or enable specific settings in the Synology Photos mobile app to view and manage these files effectively. This change was not clearly communicated in the release notes, leaving many users surprised and frustrated when their media files didn’t display as expected after the update.

For many iPhone users, who commonly use HEIC and HEVC formats, this update significantly impacts the usability of Synology Photos. The requirement to install additional software or use specific apps adds complexity, potentially affecting the seamless experience users expect from Synology’s ecosystem. Users have voiced concerns that the move away from NAS-handled background processing could slow down media access and increase the storage and processing load on individual devices. This is particularly problematic for those with large media libraries who rely on the NAS to efficiently manage and optimize file storage.

The update has also highlighted a broader shift in Synology’s focus, from catering primarily to consumer needs to targeting small and medium-sized business clients. Long-time users feel that Synology is deprioritizing consumer-centric features in favor of business-oriented functionalities, leading to frustration among those who invested in Synology products for their ease of use and comprehensive media management capabilities. This sentiment has prompted some users to explore alternative software solutions or consider creating custom workflows to maintain the functionality they require. As the community continues to voice its concerns, it remains crucial for Synology to address these issues and provide clearer communication and support to ensure user satisfaction.

Key Changes in DSM 7.2.2

  1. No More Video Station: One of the most notable changes is the removal of Video Station from DSM 7.2.2. Synology users have long relied on Video Station for managing and streaming their media libraries. With this update, Video Station is no longer available, forcing users to find alternative ways to stream their videos. Synology suggests using third-party apps like Jellyfin or Plex for media streaming, but this means users will need separate apps for different functionalities—one for backing up photos and videos, and another for streaming.
  2. Shift of Media Processing to End Devices: Starting with DSM 7.2.2, processing of media files using popular codecs such as HEVC (H.265), AVC (H.264), and VC-1 will now be handled by end devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. This shift aims to reduce the workload on the NAS system and improve overall efficiency. However, it also means that devices must support these codecs, or users will face limitations in media playback. This could be problematic for those with older devices or those trying to stream high-quality 4K content.
  3. Transcoding Limited to Specific Models: Transcoding capabilities, which allow media files to be converted on the fly for compatibility with various devices, are now restricted. Only VA series NAS models and the Surveillance Station application will continue to support server-side transcoding of AVC (H.264) streams. For all other models, transcoding must be handled on the receiving device. This change might hinder the experience for users who need to stream high-resolution media remotely, as it requires sufficient processing power and bandwidth.
  4. No Downgrading After Update: An important note with this update is that once you install DSM 7.2.2, you cannot downgrade to a previous DSM version. Users need to carefully consider if the new features and changes align with their needs, especially those who heavily rely on multimedia capabilities.

Impact on Multimedia Experience

The removal of Video Station and the shift to device-side media processing significantly impact how users interact with their Synology NAS for multimedia. Those who used Synology for its robust, integrated multimedia solutions might feel the need to explore other platforms or third-party applications to maintain the same level of functionality.

Workarounds and Recommendations

  1. Third-Party Media Servers: With the phasing out of Video Station, Synology recommends using third-party media servers like Jellyfin or Plex. These platforms offer robust media streaming solutions, though they come with the caveat of managing and setting up additional software.
  2. Upgrade End Devices: To adapt to the shift in media processing, ensure that your end devices (TVs, smartphones, tablets) are capable of handling HEVC (H.265), AVC (H.264), and VC-1 codecs. This might involve updating software or purchasing new hardware that supports these standards.
  3. Consider Your Streaming Needs: If remote streaming of high-resolution content like 4K videos is crucial, assess your network upload speeds and the capabilities of your receiving devices. Synology’s recommendation to handle transcoding on receiving devices might not be feasible for everyone, especially those with slower internet connections or less powerful devices.

Conclusion

The DSM 7.2.2 update marks a significant change in how Synology handles multimedia. While the focus on reducing system resource usage and improving efficiency is understandable, it does present challenges for users who have come to rely on Synology’s integrated multimedia features. As always, it’s important to assess your specific needs and adjust your setup accordingly. This might mean embracing third-party solutions, upgrading devices, or reevaluating how multimedia fits into your NAS strategy.

Stay tuned for more updates and guides on how to make the most of your Synology NAS with these new changes!

In the conversation about DSM 7.2.2, specific details were discussed regarding SSD volumes (or SSD pools) and their behavior after the update:

  1. Compatibility Issues with SSD Volumes:
    • After updating to DSM 7.2.2, one user, kaj, reported that their NAS began beeping continuously and displayed a message indicating that the drives in Volume 2 (an SSD volume) were incompatible. This issue prevented access to Volume 2.
    • The NAS system flagged the SSDs as incompatible post-update, which is a common issue when using non-Synology or third-party SSDs in certain NAS models, especially after major DSM updates that might change how the system handles hardware compatibility.
  2. Using Compatibility Scripts:
    • To resolve this issue, kaj had a script set up to handle compatibility with HDD/SSD drives, which was intended to run at startup. However, even with this script, the drives were not recognized after the update.
    • Kaj downloaded an updated version of the compatibility script and set it as a startup task. After implementing the updated script and rebooting the NAS, the system recognized the SSDs, and access to Volume 2 was restored.
  3. General Advice and Observations:
    • The issue discussed highlights the importance of having updated scripts or workarounds in place, particularly for users who modify their NAS setups with non-standard components or configurations. The update to DSM 7.2.2 might have altered how the system checks for drive compatibility, necessitating updated scripts to ensure continued operation of SSD volumes.
    • Another participant, FrostByte, noted that their specific model (DS1821+) did not require any hacks or scripts to recognize SSD volumes, suggesting that the impact of the update on SSD compatibility might vary between different NAS models or setups.
  4. Performance and Management of SSD Volumes:
    • While not explicitly detailed in the provided conversation snippets, the general concerns around SSD volume management post-update likely relate to maintaining performance and ensuring that the NAS can effectively use SSDs for tasks such as caching, storing high-demand data, or running applications that benefit from faster storage access.

Version: 7.2.2-72803

(2024-08-26)

Important Note

  1. After installing this update, you will not be able to downgrade to a previous DSM version.
  2. This update will restart your Synology NAS.
  3. For the models below, you can only download the upgrade patch from Synology Download Center because you won’t receive notifications for this update on your DSM.
    • FS Series: FS3017, FS2017, FS1018
    • XS Series: RS18016xs+, RS4017xs+, RS3617xs+, RS3617xs, RS3617RPxs, RS18017xs+, DS3617xs, DS3617xsII, DS3018xs
    • Plus Series: RS2416RP+, RS2416+, DS916+, DS716+II, DS716+, DS216+II, DS216+, DS1817+, DS1517+, RS2818RP+, RS2418RP+, RS2418+, RS818RP+, RS818+, DS1618+, DS918+, DS718+, DS218+, RS1219+
    • Value Series: DS416, DS416play, DS216, DS216play, DS116, RS816, DS1817, DS1517, RS217, DS418play
    • J Series: DS416slim, DS416j, DS216j, DS418j, DS218j, DS419slim, DS119j
  4. Starting from this version, the processing of media files using HEVC (H.265), AVC (H.264), and VC-1 codecs will be transitioned from the server to end devices to reduce unnecessary resource usage on the system and enhance system efficiency. These codecs are widespread on end devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. If the end device does not support the required codecs, the use of media files may be limited. Refer to this article for workarounds. In addition, please note the following exceptions:
    • Surveillance Station on DSM will continue to support server-side processing of AVC (H.264) streams, see the release notes.
    • Deep Video Analytics (DVA) series models and VisualStation clients will retain support for AVC (H.264) and HEVC (H.265) codecs.
  5. To ensure package compatibility, Advanced Media Extensions (AME), File Station, Media Server, Surveillance Station, Synology Drive, Universal Search, Synology Photos and Snapshot Replication will automatically update to the latest version.
  6. Video Station is not available on DSM 7.2.2. Refer to this article for workarounds to stream videos to end devices.
  7. Updated Storage Manager to 1.0.0-00502 to fix issues. For more information, see the release notes.

Compatibility & Installation

  1. The following third-party packages are currently incompatible with DSM 7.2.2. Compatible package versions will be released in the future, and this list will be updated accordingly:
    • BRAVIA Signage
    • TeamViewer

What’s New

  1. Added support for selecting whether to verify response or assertion signatures for SAML SSO clients.
  2. Supports customization of package installation, upgrade, and uninstallation wizards for third-party package developers. Learn more

Fixed Issues

  1. Enhanced protection against deletion of immutable snapshots.
  2. Enhanced file system error recoverability.
  3. Fixed an issue where backing up WriteOnce shared folders in Hyper Backup might occupy extra space.
  4. Enhanced the performance of Thick Provisioned LUNs when the volume is nearly full.
  5. Enhanced file search performance when there are a large number of files with the same name.
  6. Fixed an issue where restarting the system during an entire system backup could prevent volumes from mounting properly.
  7. Fixed an issue where scheduled tasks of emptying recycle bins might fail to delete folders only containing the “desktop.ini” file.
  8. Fixed an issue where triggering Adaptive MFA or entering incorrect account credentials might cause the auto block function to count login attempts abnormally.
  9. Fixed an issue where users might not be able to set up OTP for login.
  10. Fixed an issue where uploading IdP metadata might fail when setting up SAML SSO clients.
  11. Fixed an issue where users might not return to DS cam or DS finder after using OIDC SSO login.
  12. Fixed an issue where users might not receive emails with emergency codes when using 2FA for DSM login.
  13. Fixed an issue where data synchronization might fail when creating backup or replication tasks to a remote target server via Snapshot Replication, Hyper Backup, or other packages.
  14. Fixed an issue where login might fail when creating backup or replication tasks to a remote target server via Snapshot Replication, Hyper Backup, or other packages.
  15. Fixed an issue where OpenVPN might fail to disable gateways.
  16. Fixed an issue where using SAML SSO for DSM login might fail if the IdP’s response was too long.
  17. Fixed an issue where the system might become unresponsive when setting up OIDC SSO clients.
  18. Fixed an issue where Resource Monitor might display abnormal connection times in Connections > Connected Users.
  19. Fixed an issue where users might not be able to use a hardware security key for DSM login.
  20. Fixed a security vulnerability regarding ghostscript (CVE-2024-29510).
  21. Fixed security vulnerabilities regarding netatalk (CVE-2024-38439, CVE-2024-38440, CVE-2024-38441).
  22. Fixed a security vulnerability regarding Terrapin Attack (CVE-2023-48795).
  23. Fixed a security vulnerability regarding glibc (CVE-2023-4911).


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We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you. Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which is used to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H. You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks! To find out more about how to support this advice service check HERE   If you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver   Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

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]]> https://nascompares.com/news/synology-dsm-7-2-2-update-a-major-shift-in-multimedia-support/feed/ 313 73457 Minisforum MS-01 6x M.2 Upgrade Card Review https://nascompares.com/review/minisforum-ms-01-6x-m-2-upgrade-card-review/ https://nascompares.com/review/minisforum-ms-01-6x-m-2-upgrade-card-review/#comments Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:03:14 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?post_type=review&p=73014 The 6x M.2 NVMe SSD Card Upgrade Card for the Minisforum MS-01 Workstation Review

The Minisforum MS-01 is celebrated for its compact design and robust performance capabilities, featuring a 13th generation Intel CPU, DDR5 memory, and dual 10G Ethernet ports. Despite these powerful specifications, users found the device’s storage capabilities limited due to its three M.2 slots with varied lane configurations (3×2, 3×4, and 4×4). In response to this feedback, MSI Forum developed a prototype upgrade card designed to significantly enhance the MS-01’s storage potential. This article delves into the intricacies of this prototype, covering its installation, lane and power distribution, buffer and clock management, performance testing, and future prospects.

Prototype Overview

The upgrade card aims to expand the MS-01’s storage by converting the three existing M.2 slots into six M.2 NVMe slots, each measuring 2280 in length.

This conversion directly addresses initial criticisms about the limited and varied lane configurations of the original M.2 slots, which hindered optimal performance, particularly for users looking to fully utilize the 10G ports.

Currently, the upgrade card is in the prototype stage, with no guarantee of it reaching the retail market. The prototype lacks integrated cooling solutions, a critical issue given the substantial heat generated by six M.2 NVMe slots and the Intel i9 CPU. Moreover, a custom BIOS update is required for the card to function correctly, involving extensive communication with MSI Forum to ensure proper configuration.

Design and Installation Challenges

The design of the upgrade card is clean and straightforward but introduces significant cooling challenges. The original cooling system of the MS-01 cannot fit in the casing with the upgrade card installed, and there is limited space for heat sinks for each SSD. This necessitates alternative cooling solutions to maintain optimal performance and prevent overheating.

The installation process involves sliding the prototype card into all three M.2 slots on the original MS-01 and securing it with screws. This process ensures the card is firmly in place and properly connected to the MS-01’s internal architecture. However, the simplicity of the installation belies the complexity of managing heat and ensuring adequate power distribution to the new slots.

Lane and Power Distribution

The lane distribution of the upgrade card is crucial for its performance. The upgrade card redistributes the lanes as follows:

  • One 3×2 slot
  • Four 3×1 slots (sharing a single 3×4 lane)
  • One 4×4 slot

This configuration results in varied bandwidth capabilities across the slots.

The four middle slots (M.2 slots 2, 3, 4, and 5) share the bandwidth of a single 3×4 lane, effectively making them 3×1 each. This setup can impact the performance of these slots, particularly when all are in use simultaneously.

M.2 Slot Lane Distribution
Slot 1 3×2
Slot 2 3×1 (shared 3×4)
Slot 3 3×1 (shared 3×4)
Slot 4 3×1 (shared 3×4)
Slot 5 3×1 (shared 3×4)
Slot 6 4×4

Power distribution is another critical aspect. The power distribution involves converting 12V to 3.3V where necessary, ensuring each NVMe slot receives the appropriate voltage. The provided diagrams detail the internal power management and distribution system, highlighting how power is routed from the MS-01’s M.2 slots to the upgrade card.

Buffer and Clock Management

Buffer management is essential for maintaining data flow between the M.2 slots and the connected card. A centralized buffer ensures that each NVMe slot receives the necessary data without bottlenecks.

The diagrams illustrate these management systems, showing how data is routed and buffered effectively. Clock management is equally important, ensuring synchronization across all NVMe slots. Proper clock management maintains data integrity and consistent performance across the storage system.

Performance Testing

Performance testing was conducted using Unraid, focusing on both write and read speeds. The varied lane configurations resulted in different performance capabilities for each slot. The testing yielded the following results:

  • Write Speeds:
    • 3×2 slot: ~780 MB/s
    • 3×1 slots (shared 3×4): ~1.4 GB/s collectively, ~350 MB/s each
    • 4×4 slot: ~4.4 GB/s

  • Read Speeds:
    • 3×2 slot: ~810-820 MB/s
    • 3×1 slots (shared 3×4): ~1.6 GB/s collectively, ~400 MB/s each
    • 4×4 slot: ~5.8-5.9 GB/s

Lane Configuration Write Speed Read Speed
3×2 ~780 MB/s ~810-820 MB/s
3×1 (shared 3×4) ~350 MB/s each ~400 MB/s each
4×4 ~4.4 GB/s ~5.8-5.9 GB/s

The test results indicate that the upgrade card can significantly enhance the storage capabilities of the MS-01. However, the shared bandwidth of the 3×1 slots (slots 2, 3, 4, and 5) suggests that performance might be limited when all these slots are in use simultaneously.

External Performance Challenges

External performance, especially with 10G connections, faced notable challenges. Single SFP 10G connections achieved full saturation, but dual 10G connections, whether using SFP or Thunderbolt to 10G adapters, encountered issues.

Testing with a 40G Ethernet card led to hardware crashes, which were attributed to the 40G card used in the test setup rather than the MS-01 or the upgrade card itself. An update on this test is expected soon, with plans to reattempt using a different test machine.

Future Prospects

The development of the prototype upgrade card showcases MSI Forum’s commitment to addressing user feedback and exploring innovative solutions. Despite the challenges, such as cooling issues and the need for custom BIOS updates, the project demonstrates a clear effort to enhance the MS-01’s functionality significantly.

Conclusion

The prototype 6x M.2 storage upgrade card for the Minisforum MS-01 represents a promising step towards meeting the storage needs of high-performance users. While still in the prototype phase, the card has shown potential in significantly expanding the MS-01’s storage capabilities. The installation process, while straightforward, poses challenges in cooling and power distribution, which need to be addressed before the card can be considered for retail. Performance testing has shown promising results, particularly in write and read speeds, though the shared lanes in the middle slots may limit performance under full load. External performance testing highlighted issues with higher bandwidth connections, specifically with the 40G Ethernet card, but these are expected to be resolved in future testing phases. This article is a work-in-progress review of the MS-01 6x M.2 Card prototype and will be updated soon with more detailed findings and future developments. Stay tuned for the next installment as we continue to explore the capabilities and potential of this innovative upgrade.

Where to Buy the Minisfoum MS-01?

  • Minisforum MS-01 i9 Model (no RAM) $560 (AliExpress) – HERE
  • Minisforum MS-01 i9 Model (1TB SSD + 32GB RAM) $665 (AliExpress) – HERE
  • MInisforum (Barebones Model) $849 (Amazon) – HERE

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If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  
 
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  ]]> https://nascompares.com/review/minisforum-ms-01-6x-m-2-upgrade-card-review/feed/ 45 73014 Upgrading QNAP TS-h973AX (no HDMI) with TrueNAS Scale: A DIY Guide and Hardware Upgrade Journey https://nascompares.com/answer/upgrading-qnap-ts-h973ax-no-hdmi-with-truenas-scale-a-diy-guide-and-hardware-upgrade-journey/ https://nascompares.com/answer/upgrading-qnap-ts-h973ax-no-hdmi-with-truenas-scale-a-diy-guide-and-hardware-upgrade-journey/#comments Fri, 21 Jun 2024 10:26:36 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?post_type=answer&p=72577 This was all done on a QNAP TS-h973AX, I can’t tell you if this would work on any other non-HDMI device or if the DOM I purchased would work in any other system. So try this at your own risk, if you kill your machine, that’s all on you and your decision to try this. 

  1. The DOM that comes with the TS-h973AX is 8gb, TrueNAS requires a minimum of 16Gb. So getting a new DOM is necessary. Here is my setup I got from Ebay. 
    1. DOM Link This was a SUPER hard decision to make, I was not able to find ANY references to the stock DOM, but needed a larger one. I took a big risk (IMO) choosing this and plugging it into the NAS.
    2. Cable Link

 

  

  1. Install TrueNas Scale onto a 16GB (Minimum) USB stick using balenaEtcher.
  2. Install the USB stick and the DOM/USB cable combo into USB ports on the back of a PC. I had better luck with the ports directly on the back of the computer than I did with my USB hub (YMMV) 
  3. Reboot to BIOS.
  4. Set PC boot to the 16G USB stick, save settings and reboot.
  5. Set the 9-Pin DOM as the installation path (Mine shows as eMMC). Be sure of which one you’re setting as the INSTALLATION path; You don’t want to overwrite your main drive OS.
  6. Do the installation of TrueNAS Scale as normal.

 

  1. After you set the Administrator password and the installation is completes, SHUT DOWN the PC. Do NOT Reboot the PC

 

 

 

  1. Remove both the DOM/USB cable combo and the USB stick from the PC. (Set your PC BIOS back to boot to your regular boot drive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prep the TS-h973AX

  1. Remove power, all connections and all the drives from the TS-h973AX. 
  2. Remove the cover and then the drive cage. 

 

 

  1. Note there is a cable and a PCIe riser from the drive cage connected to the main board.

 

 

  1. CAREFULLY remove the stock 9-Pin DOM. There will be a goo holding it in. You’ll need to cut the goo away from the upper part of connector, being very careful to not cut anything else. (It’s just a non-conductive adhesive to prevent the DOM from coming loose.)
  2. Disconnect the TrueNAS DOM from the USB cable and install the TrueNAS 9-Pin DOM into the TS-h973AX.
  3. During this phase, since the unit is pretty disassembled, I upgraded my RAM to 64Gb of OWC EEC RAM, and the rear fan to a Noctua 140mm . NF-A14 PWM Chromax Black
    1. RAM Link
    2. Fan Link

  1. Reassemble the TS-h973AX
  2. Install the drives, connect your network cable (IMPORTANT), and your power cable. 
  3. Boot up the device. This will boot the TrueNAS OS installed on the DOM and should detect all of the TS-h973AX hardware. This phase doesn’t need any input from the user at all.
    1. This 1st boot can take upwards of 20 min for everything to initialize and an IP address to be assigned.
  4. Use a network device scanner (I use Fing on my Android phone) to locate the TrueNAS device. You can use something like Advanced IP Scanner, a free tool (Thanks Robbie from NASCompares and his installation video from HERE
  5. You can now access the device from your browser to start setting TrueNAS up. 

 



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We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you. Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which is used to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H. You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks! To find out more about how to support this advice service check HERE   If you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver   Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

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]]> https://nascompares.com/answer/upgrading-qnap-ts-h973ax-no-hdmi-with-truenas-scale-a-diy-guide-and-hardware-upgrade-journey/feed/ 20 72577 A UPS Buyers Guide for NAS (Synology / QNAP / Asustor / Terramaster NAS) https://nascompares.com/2024/03/04/a-ups-buyers-guide-for-nas-synology-qnap-asustor-terramaster-nas/ https://nascompares.com/2024/03/04/a-ups-buyers-guide-for-nas-synology-qnap-asustor-terramaster-nas/#comments Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:00:36 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?p=70620 An Easy Guide to Buying the Right UPS for your NAS System

The popularity of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) has risen significantly in recent years. Not just for businesses, but for home users as well, who often have limited power setups such as houseboats, pop-up offices, and mobile homes. The value of having a safety net for your power-consuming devices is undeniable. Additionally, for those whose data is critical and whose business or personal life relies on constant access and read/write operations, a UPS can provide peace of mind. In the past, power failure solutions were only accessible to large enterprises and high-level businesses, with prices starting in the five figures. However, with the rise of network-attached storage (NAS) in homes and the increased efficiency of mass production techniques, owning a UPS device to protect data in both homes and businesses has become more affordable. However, choosing the right UPS for your NAS device, such as a QNAP or Synology, and finding one that fits within your budget can be challenging. In this guide, we will address the three commonly asked questions by users considering a UPS but unsure of which device to choose: 1) How does a UPS work and how will I benefit? 2) How do I determine the right Watts, Volts, and Amps to choose the best UPS? 3) How much will a UPS cost? We hope this guide is helpful for NAS buyers looking at brands such as Synology, QNAP, Asustor, Terramaster, and others, and also for anyone looking to choose the right UPS for other devices.

Click HERE to Skip ahead to the Recommended UPS for different NAS drives

What Are the Factors I need to consider when buying a UPS for my NAS?

Choosing the right UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your Synology or QNAP NAS (network-attached storage) can be a complex task, as there are many factors to consider. However, by following a few key guidelines, you can ensure that your NAS is protected against power outages and other issues that could cause data loss or corruption. The first thing to consider when choosing a UPS for your NAS is the amount of power that your NAS requires. Desktop NAS devices with external PSUs typically have a power consumption of around 60-120 watts and rackmounts generally 250W and above, although this can vary depending on the specific model and the number of hard drives that are installed. It is important to choose a UPS that can provide at least this much power, as well as a bit extra to account for any other devices that may be connected to the NAS. Another important factor to consider is the runtime of the UPS. This is the amount of time that the UPS can keep your NAS running in the event of a power outage. The runtime of a UPS is typically measured in minutes, and you should choose a UPS that has a runtime that is long enough to allow you to properly shut down your NAS in the event of a power outage.

Another important feature to look for when choosing a UPS is the ability to communicate with the NAS. Some UPS’ have built-in USB or serial ports that allow them to communicate with the NAS and provide status information. This can be very useful in case of power outage, as it can allow you to monitor the status of the UPS and take appropriate action. Finally, you should also consider the size and weight of the UPS, as well as its overall design. A UPS that is smaller and lighter may be more convenient to deploy, but you should also make sure that it is well-designed and built to last. When choosing a UPS for your NAS, it is important to consider the amount of power that your NAS requires, the runtime of the UPS, the ability to communicate with the NAS, compatibility and the size and weight of the UPS. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your NAS is protected against power outages and other issues that could cause data loss or corruption.

What is a UPS and Why Should I Buy One for my NAS?

The most frequently asked question about UPS is typically “What exactly is a UPS and what does it do?” UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply and many users believe that purchasing a UPS means they can run their devices and access data from their NAS, DAS, or SAN for hours after a power failure. While this is technically true, it would require a significant financial investment in the form of a 5-figure sum. In reality, most users do not require hours of protection for their read/write data operations on HDD media. Instead, what is often needed is enough time to safely shut down the server or RAID storage. This can be achieved by spending only hundreds of pounds, not thousands, as it depends on the number of devices drawing power, their specific needs, and the efficiency of the chosen UPS. For more information on UPS and how to choose one, please watch the video below.

How Does a UPS Draw Power and How Do I Connect My Devices?

This topic can be challenging for some, so we will break it down and explain it in a simple way. Before delving into technical terms like Watts, Volts, and Power, let’s use an analogy that’s easy to understand. Imagine receiving electricity to your device as drawing water from a tap.

 

To understand this concept, we can use an analogy of a tap and water. Just like a tap needs water and pressure to deliver it through the pipe, an electrical circuit needs electrons and voltage to deliver electricity to a device. The water represents the electrons that carry electricity from the power source to the destination device, like a NAS, DAS, or PC. The tap represents the destination device and the water/electrons are going around in a circuit back to the water/power source, which is mostly unseen in the cables.

The pressure in the analogy represents the VOLTAGE, which is the strength of the electricity being pushed by the electrons in the circuit. It’s important to measure this as some devices are designed to only accept a specific amount of voltage. If the voltage is too high or too low, the device will not function correctly.

AMPS represent the amount of electrical charge that passes a given point in a second, similar to how much water passes through the pipe per second.

So, now we need to know the WATTS of the device. This is compiled with the following equation:

 

AMPS x VOLTS = WATTS

or

Water Volume x Water Pressure = Water Power

How a UPS works with your NAS smartIf you’ve ever experienced weak water pressure in a shower while living in an apartment on a higher floor, this is likely due to the water pressure not being strong enough to deliver the water to the destination device. Similarly, a smaller battery pack is often measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), which represents the amount of charge available, rather than time. Using the analogy of water, this would be like a large drum of water. The amount of water and how fast it travels from the drum is not as important as the available water that can be carried over to the tap. The output and result is heavily affected by the AMPS and VOLTS, similar to the pressure of water and the maximum or minimum amount of water the tap can receive.

Choosing the right UPS Battery for your Home or Office

The majority of UPS devices have a similar setup. You connect one end to your main power outlet (3 Pin, 2 Pin, etc) and the UPS has multiple ports for connecting your destination devices (PC, NAS, etc). Inside the UPS chassis, there is one or more batteries that are charged from the wall plug, while your devices are powered directly from the wall and not drawing from the batteries unless there is a power failure. In the event of a power failure in your home or business, the destination devices will switch to drawing power from the batteries, giving you time to save your data and shut down your devices safely, protecting your digital storage from corruption or loss. It’s worth noting that when buying a UPS, there are many figures to consider, but the power drawn by computing equipment is typically measured in Watts or Volt-Amps(VA).

How a UPS works with your NAS diagram

BUT

The power in Watts is the real power drawn by the equipment.Volt-Amps are called the “apparent power” and are the product of the voltage applied to the equipment times the current drawn by the equipment.

Inexpensive UPS devices typically have a shorter running time because they don’t provide as much charge. Mid-range UPS devices, on the other hand, offer longer charge times, more features, and additional functionality such as network alerts, internet alerts via SMS or email, an LCD display, USB connectivity for maintenance, and the ability to automatically save or shut down certain NAS or PC machines in the event of a power failure, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

There is more to choosing the right UPS than matching the WATTS of your destination device and that of the UPS

UPS capacities are giving in VOLT-AMPS , not WATTS

Remember again,

VOLTS x AMPS = WATTS

Well, Resistance present in electrical load means that the WATTS cannot be matched Like for Like. So:

How long does a UPS lastHow do I Choose the Correct VA for the Watts on my NAS, PC and more?

You will need to consider a UPS with a VOLT-AMP 50-70% higher than the WATTS present on your destination device. Don’t forget to factor into your consumption any other devices that are drawing from the UPS, as this consumption is not per device, but TOTAL.

What is Line Interaction on a UPS?

Some UPS devices have a “Line Interactive” feature that can strengthen a weak or inconsistent power supply, particularly useful for those in remote areas where maintenance may be less frequent. When it comes to sizing a UPS, it’s important to note that equipment nameplate ratings are often in VA which can make it difficult to determine the Watt rating. To avoid oversizing the UPS, it’s recommended to configure the system such that the VA rating of the load is no greater than 60% of the UPS VA rating. This will prevent exceeding the Watt rating of the UPS. However, this approach may result in an oversized UPS and a longer run time than expected.

– Battery Packs, Listed in VOLTS and can be added to an existing UPS

– Replacement Battery Cartridges, an Internal Upgrade, RANGE specific

– Available in Desktop or Rack mount

What Are the most popular brands in the UPS Market?

There are many brands that provide UPS (uninterruptible power supply) devices in the market, but some of the most popular ones include:

  1. APC (American Power Conversion) – APC is a well-known brand that has been providing UPS devices for many years. They offer a wide range of UPS devices, including standalone units, rack-mount units, and network-grade units. They also offer a variety of software and accessories to help manage and monitor their UPS devices.
  2. Tripp Lite – Tripp Lite is another well-known brand that provides UPS devices. They offer a wide range of UPS devices, including standalone units, rack-mount units, and network-grade units. They also offer a variety of software and accessories to help manage and monitor their UPS devices.
  3. Eaton – Eaton is a well-established brand that provides UPS devices. They offer a wide range of UPS devices, including standalone units, rack-mount units, and network-grade units. They also offer a variety of software and accessories to help manage and monitor their UPS devices.
  4. CyberPower – CyberPower is a brand that provides a wide range of UPS devices, including standalone units, rack-mount units, and network-grade units. They also offer a variety of software and accessories to help manage and monitor their UPS devices.
  5. Schneider Electric – Schneider Electric is a brand that provides a wide range of UPS devices, including standalone units, rack-mount units, and network-grade units. They also offer a variety of software and accessories to help manage and monitor their UPS devices.
  6. Liebert – Liebert is a brand that provides a wide range of UPS devices, including standalone units, rack-mount units, and network-grade units. They also offer a variety of software and accessories to help manage and monitor their UPS devices.

These are just a few examples of the many brands that provide UPS devices in the market. There are many other brands available, each with their own set of features, specifications, and pricing options, so it is worth researching different options to find the one that best suits your needs.

How Do Synology, QNAP, Asustor and Terramaster NAS work with a UPS?

Almost all NAS drive brands support the use of a smart UPS, connected via USB for monitoring or via the network. That said, how each NAS system reacts to a power cut and switching to the UPS battery does differ. I recently tested the CyberPower 1500 system with a selection of 4-Bay UPS systems to see how each NAS brand’s hardware and software react. Below is the video for each brand. Just click the video, or you can open them up in a separate tab by clicking the title.

Synology NAS UPS Test

 

 QNAP NAS UPS Test

 
Asustor NAS UPS Test

 

 Terramaster NAS UPS Test

Recommended UPS for Different NAS Drives from Synology, QNAP, Asustor or Terramaster

Below are a number of tiered UPS systems for your individual power needs and budget. These are based on the Watts you need to cover and based on a single NAS  of different size each. This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg and for more precise advice based on a whole office or server room of hardware, we recommend getting in touch with us directly using the Free Advice section (no commitment and the advice is totally impartial) so we can save you money as well as provide you with a solution that will help you sleep at night! All solutions that I recommend below have to arrive with at least 2 Years of Manufacturers’ Warranty, 2 Years of Battery Warranty/Replacement Coverage, USB and/or Network Support, NAS compatibility, provides at least 10-20mins of continued client operation in a power-cut, support of line interaction and AT LEAST 6x mains power points for devices

Budget/Basic UPS (No Frills!) for Value and/or ARM-Based NAS

For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.

  • 1-4 HDD NAS Drive with 90-120w PSU
  • 1x Desktop PC with 250W PSU and Laptops/tablets
  • 1x Router 30W internal PSU
  • + Misc Other Office Equipment (50W avg)
  • Floor or Tower Versions
  • No LCD available

Option – The Amazon Basics UPS, Available in different versions that cover 400VA to 1500VA,  6-8 Ports – Starts at $49

Find it on Amazon HERE

 

Best UPS for a 1-2-Bay NAS Drive for Home or Home Office Use

For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.

  • 1-2 HDD NAS Drive with 60-90w PSU
  • 1x Desktop PC with 250W PSU
  • 1x Router 30W internal PSU
  • + Misc Other Office Equipment (50W avg)

Option – The APC BE600M1 , Available in different versions that cover 550VA to 850VA, 7 Ports – Starts at $99

Find it on Amazon HERE

 

Best UPS for a 1-2-Bay NAS Drive for Business

For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.

  • 1-2 HDD NAS Drive with 60-90w PSU
  • 1x Desktop PC with 250W PSU
  • 1x Router 30W internal PSU
  • + Misc Other Office Equipment (50W avg)

Option – The APC BE650G2, Available in different versions that cover 185W to 520W, 8 Ports – Starts at $169

Find it on Amazon HERE

 

Best UPS for a 4-8-Bay NAS Drive for Prosumers

For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.

  • 4-8 HDD NAS Drive with 100-250W PSU
  • 2x Desktop PC with 250W PSU
  • 1x Router 30W internal PSU + Switch with 25W PSU
  • + Misc Other Office Equipment (100W avg)
  • Battery/Coverage Insurance ($500,000 Connected Equipment Guarantee)
  • Tower Style

Option – The CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS System, Available in different versions that cover 850-1500VA (1000W), 10-12 Ports – Starts at $389

Find it on Amazon HERE

 

Best UPS for an 8-12-Bay NAS Drive for Medium Large Business and Video/Photo Editors

For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.

  • 8-12 HDD NAS Drive with 250-350W PSU
  • Rackmount entry point (factor in dual/Redundant PSUs)
  • 3x Desktop PC with 250W PSU
  • 1x Router 30W internal PSU + 10GbE Switch with 90W PSU
  • + Misc Other Office Equipment (400W avg)
  • Rackmount Style (Desktop alternatives available, but cap at 2000VA)

Option – The Tripp Lite SU3000RTXL3U Sinewave UPS System, Available in different versions that cover 750-3000VA (2400W), 7-9 Ports – Starts at $799

Find it on Amazon HERE

How Long do UPS Batteries Last?

The lifespan of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) battery can vary depending on several factors, including the type of battery, the quality of the battery, the usage, and the environment in which the UPS is used. However, on average, a UPS battery should last between 3-5 years with proper usage and maintenance. Lead-acid batteries, which are commonly used in UPS systems, have a typical lifespan of 3-5 years. However, this lifespan can be shortened or extended depending on the usage and maintenance of the battery. For example, if the battery is frequently discharged to a low level, this can shorten its lifespan, whereas proper charging and maintenance can prolong it.

It’s important to note that the lifespan of UPS batteries can also be affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and the amount of use. High temperatures and humidity can shorten the battery life, while keeping the UPS in a cool and dry environment can extend it. It’s also worth noting that most of the UPS batteries have an end-of-life indicator, which will alert you when the battery is no longer performing as well as it should. This will give you an idea of when the battery needs to be replaced.

In conclusion, the lifespan of a UPS battery can vary depending on several factors, including the type of battery, the quality of the battery, the usage, and the environment in which the UPS is used. On average, a UPS battery should last between 3-5 years with proper usage and maintenance. Keeping an eye on the end-of-life indicator and maintaining the battery in a cool and dry environment can help to extend the battery’s lifespan.

 

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]]> https://nascompares.com/2024/03/04/a-ups-buyers-guide-for-nas-synology-qnap-asustor-terramaster-nas/feed/ 91 70620 Synology BeeStation Hard Drive Upgrade – Complete Guide https://nascompares.com/guide/synology-beestation-hard-drive-upgrade-complete-guide/ https://nascompares.com/guide/synology-beestation-hard-drive-upgrade-complete-guide/#comments Sun, 11 Feb 2024 13:24:32 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?post_type=guide&p=70562 How to Upgrade the Hard Drive in Your BeeStation

Why Would You want to change the hard drive in the Synology Beestation? Whether you are an existing owner of the Synology Beestation or a potential NAS buyer who is considering moving away from public cloud services onto your own personal cloud, the Beestastion and BSM provide a fantastically user-friendly alternative to the Synology Diskstation and DSM solutions that the brand has been releasing for almost 25 years. The Beestation can be set up in minutes, sets up all the apps, storage and services in 3 clicks and is BY FAR the most user-friendly NAS system I have ever used! However, it DOES have 1 weakness… one rather sizable Achilles heel… THAT 4TB hard drive inside! The Synology Beestation (At launch – so that might change as time goes on) arrives with a single 4TB Synology HAT3300/3310 5400RPM Hard Drive for storing all your data. This can lead to a lower glass ceiling when it comes to your long-term storage – fun fact, The latest iPhone Pro models supports upto 48MP Apple ProRAW images, which captures more dynamic range at the cost of much larger files, around 75MB for each image. That would still allow just under 60,000 images on a 4TB drives – but once you factor in video backups, PC backups and more, 4TB of capacity is actually going to run out quicker than you think, especially if you connect the maximum 8 supported users. Then there is the performance barrier of a single 5400RPM HDD. Hardware are not great for larger simultaneous input/outputs (e.g lots of individual write operation tasks happening at the same time) and the response times and smoothness of the BSM/BeeStation experience will be diminished. You are also losing out on RAID failover, something that is largely unavailable in a 1 bay, but short of using a dual drive cage adapter (more on that later on) this is unavoidable.

This brings us neatly back around to the subject of changing the HDD inside the Synology Beestation to something with a higher capacity, maybe a Pro series drive with 7200RPM and more cache. or perhaps even a faster SSD instead of an HDD? Synology has not allowed this system to support hot swapping or easy accessibility to the drive media (understandable, as a 1 Bay system). Synology have released this device as an entry-level product that is not designed for more specialized use, so providing the means to upgrade the media and migrate system processes over to a new drive is NOT a straightforward process. Additionally, we should also take some time to discuss the risks and Synology’s position on this.

IMPORTANT WARNING!

This is a really, really important point. Taking apart the Synology BeeStation runs a significant risk of not only damaging your data but also completely nullifying any hardware or software support that Synology will provide you. The BeeStation was designed to be a closed system and not targeted towards higher-end tech enthusiasts, and therefore does not allow the same easy dismantle procedure that you find in the DiskStation range. This Synology BeeStation was provided to me by Synology UK, and I am dismantling the system without their assurance or without their authorization to do so; the same needs to be applied to your own BeeStation system if you intend to follow the steps in this guide to tear down and dismantle it. This system was not designed to be taken apart, and taking it apart may result in the following:

  • You might cause damage to the hard drive inside via static electricity, motion, or physical pressure
  • The Beestation uses a passive cooling system and strategic heatsinks around the internal components, allowing the system to be low noise thanks to a lack of active cooling fan. But changing the storage media inside might compromise this passive cooling system and therefore lead to unpredictable internal system temps or a detrimental effect of the system as a whole.
  • The BeeStation casing is an exceptionally tight-fitting enclosure, and dismantling it will almost certainly leave marks and clear indications that you have done so, which will invalidate any hardware support available to you as you have tampered with the system and performed actions that are not covered by the hardware warranty.
  • You run the risk of scratching the internal motherboard, PCB, or delicate components during the dismantling of the BeeStation, which will result in complete system failure at worst and detrimental performance drops at best if this occurs.

Do not proceed with dismantling your Synology BeeStation unless you are happy to run the risk that it may be deemed inoperable or that your support by Synology may cease as a result.

Additionally, the Synology BeeStation includes numerous measures to back up the content of the system’s data and set up to the Synology C2 cloud, a connected USB drive, or at an object file/folder level to third-party cloud services. It is extremely recommended that you have an up-to-the-second backup in place before you attempt any of the steps in this guide. Any data loss resulting from following the steps in this guide is purely at your own discretion, and myself and NAS Compares cannot be held accountable. Bottom line, be aware that what you are doing right now is outside of what this system was supposed to do, and that you are doing so at your own risk. Understand? Good. Let’s get on with dismantling the BeeStation and tear down this cost-effective NAS.

Also, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you read through the steps completely first, before you begin dismantling your BeeStation NAS, as it’s decent bits more layered in the access compared with a normal Diskstation NAS system.

What Do You Need for this Guide

There are actually not too many things needed for upgrading your Synology BeeStation Drive. I recommend the following:

  • A Synology BeeStation (duh?)
  • A SATA HDD (or SATA 2.5″ SSD with 3.5″ physical Adapter – EXAMPLE)
  • A crosshead Phillip screw driver – the longer the better!
  • The Synology Assistant Client Tool for Windows, Mac or Linux (installed on a system that is on the same local area network as the Beestation) – HERE
  • A downloaded copy of the latest Synology BSM Software .pat file – Download it HERE

The Firmware is optional, as it depends on the upgrade path you choose, but it doesn’t hurt to have it downloaded and ready.

BACKUP YOUR DATA FIRST – How To Backup Your Beestation Personal Cloud NAS

It is INCREDIBLY important that you backup any important data that is already on your Synology Beestation, as the process of installing a new HDD or SSD into the system will result in it replacing the original 4TB HDD. Luckily, there are a couple of great options for backing up your data for restoration when your new HDD/SSD is up and running. The most extensive (and large) one that will ultimately save you time later re-creating shares and folder structure is using the system backup in the System Configuration menu. This allows you to create a full system backup to either the Synology C2 Cloud (subscription cloud service, but does include a trial period) or to a connected USB drive. Later in the guide, I will explain how to restore a full USB backup.

Alternatively, if you are not especially fussed about the system configuration and want a more file/folder-specific backup that only backs up the core/important data (ie you don’t have/want a 4TB backup, but just want some select files/folders), you can use the USB Backup or Cloud Backup options in Beefiles. These are chiefly designed to backup an area of storage from a 3rd Party Cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive) or USB with a specific BeeFiles Folder (you can create multiple). This also has the feature of ensuring the data is 2 way synchronized, which means you CAN use this to copy data form the NAS to the Cloud/USB automatically.

Personally, I would recommend using the System level backup if you can ensure you have a large enough C2 Storage/USB. But also, you should have at least TWO copies of your data, as the system level backup will be in a Synology BSM/Beestation format and will only work in another Beestation system – it won’t be visible via a traditional DAS/Direct connect method.

The last thing to discuss before we begin the Hardware portion of this guide is how you wish to disconnect from the BeeStation system. Installing a new HDD/SSD will also require the system to be formatted. This will happen during the re-initialization when you install a new drive, so you have two options before this. The first is to unlink the Beestation from your Synology Account (as the system is connected via a serial number to your synology account). You will then reconnect with it later on during re-initialization. The main benefit of this method is that Unlinking with the system will KEEP your data on the 4TB hard drive inside – which means if you need to reverse all this (or even just want the old data as a OS-level backup of sorts), this process will be easier and ensure your data is still in place.

Alternatively, you can opt to just fully factory reset the whole device, which will not only disconnect your Synology Account but also delete all the data from the 4TB Hard Drive. After you have chosen the option that suits your needs. Safely power down the device via the GUI or after the system restore. Then you need to leave the system alone for a few minutes (to allow the 4TB HDD to spin down) and then disconnect all USB, Ethernet and power cables.

How To Upgrade Your Beestation HDD – The Start

First thing you need to do is disconnect all ethernet (LAN), power cables and USB devices and give the system sufficient time to allow the HDD inside to spin down. Then carefully turn the device up and have the base vent panel face up. Again, be CAREFUL as this system features a mechanical HDD inside and that can be susceptible to shock/motion damage.

Next you need to slowly and carefully peel back the rubber foot panel located at the base, at the front of the Beestation (i.e the single LED light side). It is held in place with strong adhesive, but you can replace it back after opening the case up later, as the rubber foot sits in a grooved panel and the adhesive has plenty of reuse!

Under the rubber panel are two Phillips/cross-head screws. There are the ONLY external means to open up the enclosure/casing of the BeeStation.

Remove each of these screws (keep them to one side and make sure to remember they are the base screws, as the system has 2 kinds of screws in it’s construction and mixing them up with rip the screw holes to pieces!

Removing these two screws will allow you to apply a small above of pressure to leverage the front panel of the BeeStation NAS to be removed. Important – do this carefully (that word again!) as the entire casing is made up of 2 pieces and it’s super easy to crack it in two!

The top part of the front panel is actually an L-shaped panel that has the fully ventilated dust panel attached. Mkae sure that your ease the panel off carefully enough not to break those 4 hooks at the top, as these are what align the top panel with the rest of the casing.

Slight side note, but for those that care about dust build up on 24×7 systems like the BeeStation, this can be quite useful to perform cleaning. Anyway, carrying on!

Next up os removing the Hard Drive that the Beestation Personal Cloud arrives with. The first thing you need to remove is the 2 smaller screws located around the edge of the casing. DO NOT REMOVE THE 2 LARGER SCREWS IN THE MIDDLE!!! These larger screws hold the HDD in place and you need to do this much later, or else risk the drive moving around during the dismantling.

Each screw will be easy to remove, however there are actually 3 more screw located around the base of the framework. They are tricky to reach, and a longer screwdriver would be recommended, but it can be done with an ordinary 15cm + screwdriver will get the job done.

At the front base area, you can find two black Phillips/cross-head screws that you need to remove. You will need to come at there from a slight angle if you only have a short screwdriver. Important – DO NOT USE AN ELECTRIC/AUTOMATIC SCREWDRIVER!!! Notwithstanding that you will tear the soft screw to pieces, you might cause vibration that will be damaging to the HDD next to the screw! Do it the OLD SKOOL way!

The last screw is much harder to spot and reach, it is located at the bottom-back of the enclosure, on the NON-Motherboard side. You will need to come at it from a slight angle, even with a longer screwdriver. Note, you COULD have removed the top panel attached to the HDD in order to get to the screw a little easier, but I personally would rather the HDD remains in an immobile cage throughout this part of the Beestaion teardown. It’s your call!

That is the last screw that you need to remove and , once it is done, you can begin the removal of the HDD clip/cage.

The HDD Clip/cage will slide out sideways (with a little resistance). BE CAREFUL with the removal of the HDD cage/clips, as the right-hand side will have the controller board (which has the heatsink on top of the CPU, and a bare PCB – which can be super susceptible to static and moisture!

One you have removed the HDD Cage tray, you will now have three components on the table:

Next, removing the Hard Drive from its plastic handles. The HDD is held in place by 4 screws that go directly into the same four screw holes that are usually used by HDD bays on Diskstastion NAS that utilize trays. Ther are four screw in each corner. Important note for later – Make a note of the clips and direction that are on either side of the HDD – whether you want to reassemble this Beestation to the factory build OR you are considering exploring larger HDDs, getting these clips the wrong way around or in the wrong direction will, at best, mean it won’t for back together and you need to redo them, or at WORST, you end up damaging the controller board and casing as you attempt to re-insert the drive.

Each screw uses a counter-sunk system and also arrives with a rubber washer between the screw head and the plastic. This means that you do not need to fully remove the screw, as there is a small % of space left. Regardless, just remove the four screws and each of the side panels should come off very easily.

Once again, make sure you keep track of which panel goes with each side of the HDD – As this will be a right pain during reassembly. An important area of note here is that IF you are considering adding larger/alternative drives to the Beestation and you have your heart set on an SSD, you are going to need a 2.5″ to 3.5″ HDD adapter, as the screw holes that the tray clips AND the PCB Backboard are not available on a 2.5″ SSD. This does also open the door to the potential for a Dual 2.5″ SATA SSD to 3.5″ SATA Adapter case, which would provide the performance benefits of 2x SATA SSD in a RAID 0, or the redundancy benefits of 2x SATA SSDs in a RAID 1, if the case supports internal RAID 0/1). Here are two options:

2.5″ to 3.5″ SATA Adapter ($7.99+)

Find on Amazon HERE

 SYNOLOGY ASSISTANT NOT CONFIGURED PICTURE

Find on Amazon HERE

However, there is considerably more to adding a new hard drive to the BeeStation than just the physical injection!

The one we want to focus on is the HDD tray/cage. Carefully turn it around and lay the drive facedown on the table.

Once the drive is ‘face down’, you need to carefully (yes, THAT word again! Take a drink) remove the two silver screws, Try to touch the blue PCB controller board as little as possible.

Once you have removed those two screws, you need to either slide the controller board away from the Hard drive, or slide the hard drive away. You are doing this to disconnect the SATA connector that is soldered to the controller board. Do NOT leverage the hard drive upwards/downwards, as you run the risk of breaking the connector.

The controller PCB should come away very easily and with little resistance. But before we move forward, it’s worth checking the SATA connector is unharmed.

Place the controller PCB delicately to one side and then get your new storage media drive (your new HDD or SSD) unpacked and ready

Slot the new SATA drive into the PCB via the SATA slot.

Then flip the drive and board over, then screw in the two silver screws to attached the PCB to the HDD. Next, reattached the two tray clips to either side of the new HDD – gain, make sure you select the correct clips for either side and in the correct direction.

Then slot the drive cage back into the base Beestastion black plastic casing. It will be a very specific alignment and you will know it is correct, as the back ports will be completely flush with the rear port cavities on the casing

Screw the 3 base screws in place once again. plus then re-screw the two top placement screws

Then slide back into place the L-shaped top panel. Ensure the 4 hooks at the top slide in neatly and the LED cover at the front/base will meet flush with the other plastic panel.

Re-screw the two silver screws that hold the L-shaped panel in place and then re-attached the rubber foot panel.

Reconnect the local area network/internet connection, as well as the USB drive (if you have a USB backup) and finally the power cable. Then press the power button and now move over to your network connection PC/Mac/Linux desktop and we can start the reinitialization.

Re-Installing BSM on your BeeStation

When the device begins booting, after a few minutes you will hear the system beep. However, instead of heading to the usual Synology Bee Portal site page, you need to open up the Synology Assistant tool. It will scan the local area network and it will find the Synology BeeStation, but it will say that it is in the process of ‘Upgrading’

Now the amount of time this takes will depend on a lot of factors (drive size, download speed if the system is collecting the BSM software online. After some time has passed (10-20 mins tops), the system will reboot ( you will hear the drive spin down and the light on the system will change from a flashing orange light to a slow white light.

1 – UPGRADING

 2 – REINITIALIZING

After a few minutes, the synology assistant should now show the message ‘Starting Services’. Don’t forget to click the ‘search’ button at the top left to rescan to see any new changes to the system status.

After a period of time, the system will now show a new message that indicates that the system needs configuration in the synology assistant:

Now you just need to double-click the Beestation listing on the Synology Assistant tool, and it will open up a new tab on your web browser that will guide you through the original BSM installation process, via the Synology Beestation Portal web site:

When you have logged into your Synology Account and have gone through the first 4 steps of the installation, you will be asked if the system is showing an orange light. If it does not, you will need to follow to on-screen restart prompts using the reset button, which will all the system to reboot into ‘find’ mode. Once you have the On-screen serial number prompt and the light on the BeeStation is Solid orange (not flashing) you can go through the usual system setup prompts and connect the BeeStation with your Synology account as normal and log in as you would have before.

What if my Synology BeeStation does not boot into the usual installer?

There IS a chance that your BeeStation will instead display a message saying ‘Not Configured’ upon the first power on after installing your new drive, typically caused by a lack of facility to download the latest firmware (i.e the network connection is not present or restricted on your network). This will result in the system booting into a similar system setup window as found on the Synology Diskstation/DSM devices.

If this occurs, double-click the BeeStation listing on the Synology Assistant tool, and it will open a new tab on your web browser that shows the manual installation steps for BSM on your BeeStation system via the LAN. Just follow the steps on the screen to select the downloaded BSM image you have on your PC/Mac machine, as well as begin the installation to the new HDD/SSD – This will wipe the contents of the drive, but that is normal and you should be using a new/blank drive anyway.

This will install the latest BSM software and the system will restart after 10 mins and you can follow the steps outlined in the previous section to setup the Beestation with your new HDD/SSD for the first time.

How to Restore Your Data to the Upgraded Drive BeeStation?

Now that your BeeStation is up and running, with your new HDD/SSD, you might have a backup of your data on USB or on the Cloud that you want to restore. If you want to use the BeeFiles Backup services for USB/Cloud, you can do this easily with the options in the BeeFiles tool and your cloud sync or USB that you created earlier can be re-connected and the data will be sent back to the Beestation. However, if you have opted to do the system-wide backup in the System settings menu, you will need to head in the system config page and select the Restore Tab on the left hand side of the page:

Next, select the Restore option, ensuring that you either have the USB Backup drive you used connected to the BeeStation system, or you have established a connection with your appropriate Synology C2 account.

Next, you need to go through the list of Backup Images (if you have multiple) and select the appropriate system backup image you want Then you need to select the backup and proceed with restoring this system image

It is worth noting that this process can take a great deal of time (depending on the size of the backup, whether it is cloud/local based and the filled % of the capacity that back was of the original 4TB drive. In my tests, it took 35 mins to restore the system that had 300-400GB of data – it is a slow by methodical process.

Once that is done, the system will reboot and when it has finished, you will need to re-enter and connect your Synology Account. After you log back into the system, you can go into the system setting and BeeFiles again, and you will see that not only is all the data restored, but also that the Synology BSM software has resized the partition to ensure that you are not losing any of the extra space that is available on your new possibly larger HDD (i.e it does not reinstall the 4TB system image, then ignore the extra HDD space – it expands the volume to the full available space of the drive)

And there you go! You have now installed a new HDD or SSD in your Synology BeeStation. REMEMBER, this is NOT authorized by Synology as use for the BeeStation system and will result in the brand not supporting you in the event of issues encountered as a result of installing non-recommended configurations such as this. The Beestation is a simplified cloud alternative to Synology DSM systems. If you want to experiment with more complex configurations, larger storage and faster systems, you should look at the Synology Rackstation and Diskstation systems.

I hope you enjoyed this guide and found in useful/informative! REMEMBER, I did this to show you what the inside of your BeeStation Personal Cloud looks like, so YOU DON’T HAVE TO! If you have any further questions, you can reach out to me on robbie ( at ) nascompares.com, or use our free advice section located on the right hand side of the page. Alternatively, you can reach us on our Discord HERE, our community forum HERE, or for faster and more personal support over on KoFi Commissions HERE. If you use and/or share the content of this guide online, please help us spread awareness of our platform and the work we do by backlinking us appropriately! Thanks for reading!

Synology BeeStation Personal Cloud Review – Quick Conclusion

READ THE FULL BeeStation Review HERE

Synology has clearly done their homework on the development and presentation of the BeeStation private cloud. They are targeting a whole new audience with this system, and therefore, criticisms based on experiences with their other hardware are likely to fall on deaf ears. The BeeStation is probably one of the best middle grounds I have ever seen between an easy-to-use and exceptionally easy-to-set-up private cloud system, while still managing to provide smooth and seamless features for accessing and sharing your private cloud’s storage securely. Looking at this system with a more network-savvy microscope kind of defeats the point, and I’ve tried to be fair in my assessment. The lack of LAN access by default seems a little odd, and launching the BeeStation series in this single-bay, 4TB-only fashion may be a bit of a marketing misstep, but overall, what you’re seeing here is an effectively priced and scaled private cloud system. It’s a fantastic alternative to third-party clouds and existing simplified NAS systems. With many users keeping an eye on their budgets and tightening costs, Synology, known for its premium position in the market, had a challenge scaling down to this kind of user. However, I have to applaud Synology’s R&D for creating a simple and easy-to-use personal cloud solution that still carries a lot of their charm and great software reputation. It may not be as feature-rich as DSM, but BSM does exactly what it says it will do, and I think the target audience it’s designed for will enjoy the BeeStation a great deal!

UPDATE – You can watch the FULL YouTube Review of the Synology BeeStation HERE

Or Read the FULL Massive Beestation Review HERE

SOFTWARE - 7/10
HARDWARE - 8/10
PERFORMANCE - 7/10
PRICE - 10/10
VALUE - 10/10


8.4
PROS
👍🏻User-friendly setup, ideal for beginners or those seeking a simple cloud solution.
👍🏻Secure data handling with encrypted data transmission.
👍🏻Comes with 4TB of storage included, offering good value.
👍🏻Compact and lightweight design, enhancing portability.
👍🏻Quiet operation, suitable for home or office environments.
👍🏻Integrates seamlessly with popular cloud services like Google Drive and OneDrive.
👍🏻Affordable pricing at $199, a cost-effective alternative to third-party cloud services.
👍🏻Supports remote access, allowing data management from anywhere and across client devices/OS
👍🏻Synologys reputation for quality and reliability is still clear on this smaller scale.
👍🏻Several client tools (BeeFiles, BeePhotos and Desktop sync tool) for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android available for tailored access
👍🏻System configuration backup option to USB/C2 (Often absent in budget cloud solutions)
👍🏻AI Photo Recognition in BeePhotos for faces, Objects and geo data scraping + Advanced filter/search
CONS
👎🏻Lacks the extensive app support and customization found in Synology\'s DSM platform.
👎🏻Only available in a single-bay, 4TB configuration at launch, limiting expandability.
👎🏻Single 5400RPM HDD running everything leads to slowdown more than you think!
👎🏻LAN access is disabled by default, which may not suit all users.
👎🏻Designed for a specific user base, may not meet the needs of more advanced users.


DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?

Synology 4TB Beestation NAS (BF) Amazon UK UK 11% OFF – £221.37 (was £249.89) [LINK]

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  ]]> https://nascompares.com/guide/synology-beestation-hard-drive-upgrade-complete-guide/feed/ 47 70562 FAN replacement for DS218+/ ds220+/ Ds220j / DS920+ and other models https://nascompares.com/answer/fan-replacement-for-ds218-ds220-ds220j-ds920-and-other-models/ https://nascompares.com/answer/fan-replacement-for-ds218-ds220-ds220j-ds920-and-other-models/#respond Wed, 05 Jan 2022 14:20:21 +0000 https://nascompares.com/?post_type=answer&p=54525