Installing DSM Operating System on Synology NAS: Step-by-Step Guide
Synology NAS devices are popular for their robust performance and versatile features. One key aspect of setting up a Synology NAS is installing the DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of installing DSM on your Synology NAS from scratch, ensuring a seamless setup for your IT support service.
Preparation Steps:
- Ensure your Synology NAS is powered off.
- Download the latest version of DSM from the official Synology website.
- Prepare a USB flash drive with sufficient storage capacity.
Installation Process:
1. Insert the USB flash drive into your computer.
2. Format the USB drive to FAT32 file system.
3. Copy the downloaded DSM file to the root directory of the USB drive.
4. Safely eject the USB drive from your computer.
5. Power on your Synology NAS and insert the USB drive into the designated port.
6. Access the Synology NAS control panel using a web browser.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to locate and install the DSM file from the USB drive.
8. Once the installation is complete, your Synology NAS will reboot with the new DSM operating system.
Post-Installation Configuration:
After successfully installing DSM on your Synology NAS, it’s essential to configure the system settings to optimise performance and security. Some key configurations include setting up user accounts, creating shared folders, enabling network services, and configuring backup solutions.
Tips for Optimising DSM Performance:
- Regularly update DSM to the latest version to benefit from security patches and new features.
- Utilise Synology Package Center to install additional applications and services.
- Implement RAID configurations for data protection and redundancy.
Conclusion:
By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily install the DSM operating system on your Synology NAS from scratch. With proper configuration and maintenance, your Synology NAS will serve as a reliable and efficient solution for your IT support service needs. Stay updated with the latest DSM updates and security practices to ensure the smooth operation of your Synology NAS.

DrayTek Vigor 2962 2.5Gb Ethernet Dual-WAN Broadband Firewall Router, 200 VPN Tunnels, 20 VLANS, QOS, Remote Management, Load Balancing
High Performance Multi-WAN Router - The Vigor 2962 makes full use of FTTP Fibre Broadband at up to 2.2Gbps throughput for single or multi-WAN configurations. With Quality of Service, Firewall and Content Filtering.
Buy Now on Amazon
NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK763S) , Mesh Router & 2 Extenders , Cover Every Room, Up To 6,000 Sq Ft , Improve WiFi Speeds up to 5.4 Gbps & 75 devices , Simple App Set Up
WiFI mesh coverage of up to 6,000 sq ft and up to 75 devices, With each satellite (sold separately) you can extend the range by up to 2,000 sq ft
Buy Now on Amazon
DrayTek Vigor 2865Lax-5G Ethernet Router, WiFi 6 AX3000 Wireless and 5G Failover, Integrated 5G Modem, 5+1 GbE LAN Ports with VLANs, VDSL
VDSL and Ethernet Load Balancer - Connect the Vigor 2865 to Superfast Fibre with the integrated VDSL modem. Use the Ethernet WAN with Cable and Ultrafast FTTP. Load Balance multiple connections to boost performance.
Buy Now on Amazon
TP-Link Archer BE550 Router WiFi 7 BE9300Mbps, Tri-Band WiFi Router, 2.5G Ports,USB Port,Maximized Coverage,VPN Router, Parental Control, HomeShield Security, Private IoT Network,Easy Setup,EasyMesh
Wi-Fi 7 Routers: With powerful Wi-Fi 7 performance, lightning-fast wired connections, and brand-new design
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-253A-4G 2 Bay NAS Enclosure with 4GB RAM - Black (GDPR Compliant)
NAS and iSCSI-SAN unified storage solution for server virtualization
Buy Now on Amazon
WD 16TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra 2-bay NAS - Network Attached Storage RAID, file sync, streaming, media server, with WD Red drives
Centralised network storage: Organise your entire media collection, photos and files in one central, network location
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DX517 5 Bay Desktop Network Attached Storage Expansion Enclosure, Black
Online volume expansion
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-431XeU-8G 4 Bay Short-depth Rackmount NAS Enclosure with 10GbE SFP+ & 8GB RAM
The short depth design is suitable for installing in smaller racks or space-constrained locations
Buy Now on Amazon
Seagate 10 TB IronWolf NAS 3.5 Inch Hard Drive ST10000VN0008 (SATA 6 Gb/s/256 MB/7200 RPM)
Model Number: ST10000VN0008
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-673A-8G 6 Bay Desktop NAS Enclosure - 8GB RAM, AMD Ryzen Quad-core 2.2 GHz Processor - with 2.5GbE connectivity & supporting PCIe expansion
8GB DDR4 RAM (2 x SODIMM slots, max. 64GB, optional ECC RAM support)
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DS1621+ 48TB 6 Bay Desktop NAS Solution, installed with 6 x 8TB Western Digital Red Plus Drives
Accelerated Performance: 174% higher 4K random read IOPS and 76% faster sequential write speeds compared to its predecessor
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DS1823xs+ 8 Bay NAS Desktop: High-Performance Storage Solution
Powerful Performance - Over 3,100/2,600 MB/s sequential read/write throughput and over 173,100/80,800 random read/write IOPS2 support heavier applications
Buy Now on Amazon