How can you configure a Synology DiskStation DS920+ for automated cloud backups?

The Synology DiskStation DS920+ is a robust and versatile network-attached storage (NAS) option that caters to both personal and business needs. Whether you're looking to safeguard personal photos and files or ensuring the continuity of your business data, configuring this NAS for automated cloud backups can save you a great deal of time and worry. In this article, we'll take you through the steps to set up your Synology DS920+ for automated cloud backups, ensuring your data is continually protected and easily accessible.

Setting Up Your Synology DS920+ NAS

Before diving into the configuration for automated cloud backups, it's essential to properly set up your Synology DS920+ NAS. This process includes initial setup, configuring the file system, and installing necessary applications.

After unboxing your Synology DS920+, connect it to your network and power it on. Download Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) software on your computer. DSM is a web-based operating system tailored for Synology NAS. Open a web browser and type in the address: http://find.synology.com. This will guide you through the DSM installation process.

Once DSM is set up, create your admin account. For added security, enable two-factor authentication. This setup ensures that you have a secure foundation to start with before delving into automated backups.

Next, create your shared folders where you'll store your files and photos. Navigate to the Control Panel > Shared Folder > Create. Here, you can assign user permissions to control access to different folders. Setting permissions ensures your backup files are secure and accessible only to authorized users.

Installing and Setting Up Synology Drive

Synology Drive is a powerful tool that allows you to manage and sync your files across multiple devices. It's pivotal for cloud backups as it enables seamless synchronization between your NAS and cloud services.

To install Synology Drive, open the Package Center in DSM. Search for "Synology Drive" and click Install. Once installed, you'll need to configure the Drive Server. Open Synology Drive Admin Console, navigate to Team Folder, and enable the folders you want to sync.

Next, install Synology Drive Client on your computer. This client lets you manage sync tasks between your devices and your Synology NAS. Open Synology Drive Client, click Start Now, and follow the prompts to connect to your NAS. You'll be able to choose which folders on your NAS you want to sync with your computer.

For mobile access, download the Synology Drive app from your device's app store. The app offers the same functionality as the desktop client, ensuring you can access your files from anywhere.

With Synology Drive set up, you're now ready to configure automated cloud backups.

Configuring Hyper Backup for Cloud Backups

Hyper Backup is an essential tool for creating comprehensive backup tasks. This includes backing up your files, folders, applications, and system configurations to various destinations including cloud storage services.

Open the Package Center and install Hyper Backup. Once installed, launch Hyper Backup and click Create. You'll see a list of backup destinations, including public clouds like Amazon S3, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Select your preferred cloud service and enter the necessary credentials to link your account.

After linking your cloud account, choose the folders and applications you want to back up. Hyper Backup offers a variety of features such as backup rotation, integrity check, and encryption, ensuring your data is both secure and efficiently managed. Configure your backup settings, including encryption, compression, and schedule. You can set backups to run daily, weekly, or at custom intervals.

One of the standout features of Hyper Backup is its Snapshot Replication, which allows you to create point-in-time copies of your data. This feature is especially useful for protecting against ransomware attacks and ensuring you can quickly restore your system to a previous state.

Utilizing Cloud Sync for Real-Time Synchronization

Cloud Sync is another powerful utility that synchronizes your NAS with various cloud storage services in real-time. This ensures that any changes made to your NAS or cloud storage are reflected across all platforms immediately.

To set up Cloud Sync, go to the Package Center and install Cloud Sync. Launch Cloud Sync and choose your preferred cloud service. Enter your credentials to link your cloud storage account.

Once linked, you'll need to configure the sync task. Choose the folders on your NAS that you want to synchronize with your cloud service. You can also set specific rules for file types, sync direction (upload, download, or bidirectional), and schedule.

One advantage of Cloud Sync is its support for multiple cloud services. This means you can create multiple sync tasks for different cloud services, ensuring your data is redundantly backed up across various platforms.

Cloud Sync also provides detailed logs and notifications, helping you monitor the status of your sync tasks and resolve any issues promptly.

Leveraging Time Machine for Mac Users

For Mac users, Time Machine offers an efficient way to back up your system to a Synology NAS. Time Machine is an integrated backup solution that allows you to restore your entire system or individual files effortlessly.

To configure Time Machine with your Synology DS920+, go to Control Panel > File Services > SMB/AFP/NFS and enable AFP. Next, navigate to Control Panel > Shared Folder, select a shared folder or create a new one for your Time Machine backups.

Go to the Control Panel > User, and create a new user dedicated to Time Machine. Assign this user permissions to the shared folder created. Then, open the Control Panel > File Services > Advanced Settings, and enable "Enable Bonjour Time Machine broadcast via AFP."

On your Mac, open System Preferences > Time Machine and select Add Backup Disk. Choose your Synology NAS and enter the user credentials you created. Time Machine will now use your Synology DS920+ for automated backups.

With Time Machine, you can schedule regular backups, ensuring your Mac data is always protected. Moreover, Time Machine integrates seamlessly with Hyper Backup and Cloud Sync, providing an additional layer of protection and redundancy.

Configuring your Synology DiskStation DS920+ for automated cloud backups involves several steps, but the result is a robust and reliable backup solution. By setting up Synology Drive, Hyper Backup, Cloud Sync, and Time Machine, you ensure that your data is continually protected, easily accessible, and redundantly backed up.

The combination of these tools provides a comprehensive backup solution that caters to various needs, whether you're backing up personal photos or critical business files. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll have a secure and efficient backup system that gives you peace of mind.

In today's digital age, ensuring the safety and availability of your data is paramount. The Synology DS920+ offers an array of features and applications that make this task manageable and efficient, safeguarding your valuable data against any unforeseen events.