How I Built My Monster Synology NAS 1821+
Setting up a NAS (Network Attached Storage) server at home has been on my to-do list for a while, and I finally took the plunge with the Synology NAS 1821+. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my journey of unboxing, upgrading, and setting up this beast of a NAS server. Whether you’re a NAS newbie or a seasoned pro, I hope you’ll find some useful tips and insights here.
Why I Decided to Build a NAS Server
It all started with a data disaster. I had stored my travel pictures and drone footage on an external hard drive, only to find out I couldn’t access them when I needed to edit. After a weekend of frantic data recovery, I realized I needed a more stable and reliable solution. That’s when I decided to invest in a Synology NAS 1821+.
A NAS server not only provides centralized storage but also offers redundancy (thanks to RAID configurations) and the ability to access files from anywhere. Plus, with the right upgrades, it can handle demanding tasks like video editing and backups with ease.
What I Bought for My NAS Build
Here’s a breakdown of the components I used for my Synology NAS 1821+ setup:
Synology NAS 1821+
An 8-bay NAS enclosure with a sleek black matte finish.
Highly recommended by friends and tech enthusiasts.
10GbE Ethernet Card
A Synology E10G18-T1 card to enable blazing-fast 10GbE networking.
32GB RAM
Upgraded from the default 4GB to 32GB for better performance.
Hard Drives
Four Seagate IronWolf Pro 16TB NAS drives (with plans to expand later).
Thunderbolt to 10GbE Adapter
To connect the NAS to my CalDigit TS4 dock for high-speed transfers.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Synology NAS 1821+ arrived in a compact box, and unboxing it felt like opening a mini microwave. The black matte finish gave it a premium look, and the build quality was solid. The 8-bay design means I can start with four drives and expand as my storage needs grow.
Step-by-Step Setup Process
1. Installing the Hard Drives
I started by installing the two Seagate IronWolf Pro 16TB drives. The process was straightforward:
Remove the drive trays.
Secure the drives in place.
Slide the trays back into the NAS.
I set them up in SHR for redundancy, giving me 44TB of usable storage.
2. Adding the 10GbE Ethernet Card
Next, I installed the Synology E10G18-T1 10GbE card. This involved:
Opening the NAS enclosure.
Inserting the card into the PCIe slot.
Securing it with screws.
3. Upgrading the RAM
The NAS came with 4GB of RAM, but I upgraded it to 32GB using Crucial RAM sticks. The process was simple:
Remove the existing RAM.
Insert the new sticks.
Secure them in place.
4. Connecting the NAS to My Network
I connected the NAS to my CalDigit TS4 dock using a Thunderbolt to 10GbE adapter. However, I ran into some networking issues.
Troubleshooting the 10GbE Networking Issue
After setting everything up, I couldn’t get the 10GbE connection to work. The Ethernet card wasn’t blinking, and the NAS wasn’t being detected on the network. Here’s how I fixed it:
Switched to a Static IP
Instead of using DHCP, I assigned a static IP to the NAS.
This involved configuring the subnet mask, gateway, and MTU settings.
Reconnected the Ethernet Cable
I switched to the built-in Ethernet port temporarily to access the NAS interface.
Followed Online Instructions
Thanks to a helpful thread by Bob Zelin, I was able to configure the 10GbE card correctly.
Once the settings were in place, the 10GbE connection worked flawlessly. I tested the speed by transferring a 5GB file, and it copied in just 4 seconds!
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Setting up the Synology NAS 1821+ was a rewarding experience. It’s now the central hub for all my data, and the 10GbE connection makes file transfers incredibly fast.
Here’s what I plan to do next:
Transfer all my data from external drives to the NAS.
Set up Time Machine backups for my Mac.
Explore Synology’s photo and video management tools.
Consider adding NVMe SSDs for caching if my workload demands it.
Key Takeaways
Invest in a NAS for Reliable Storage
A NAS server is a game-changer for data storage and accessibility.
Upgrade for Future-Proofing
Adding a 10GbE card and extra RAM ensures your NAS can handle demanding tasks.
Troubleshooting is Part of the Process
Don’t be discouraged by initial hiccups—most issues can be resolved with a bit of research.
Start Small, Expand Later
You don’t need to fill all the drive bays at once. Start with what you need and expand as your storage requirements grow.
If you’re considering building your own NAS, I highly recommend the Synology NAS 1821+. It’s powerful, expandable, and perfect for both beginners and advanced users. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or need help with your own NAS setup!
Thanks for reading, and happy building!