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193 posts

Master Geek

#705686 24-Oct-2012 13:27

Thanks

Bought QNAP 410 and a Netgear GB switch and couple of WG drives. I'm ready to go.......

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#705694 24-Oct-2012 13:41

I just got a Synology 213+ and am having serious geekgasims :) Have run into the same problem where I am out of LAN ports though but by the looks of it I can uplug my printer from the network, plug it in to the NAS and then set it up to print like normal as well as from iPhone / iPad devices which will be great if it works.

Also got a new QNAP TS-469PRO for under my desk at work with 8 terabytes of storage and am seriously impressed with that as well. I think I got it right as Synology seems aimed at home users and QNAP box seems more like its feature set is aimed at business users.

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DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#705764 24-Oct-2012 15:54

Yes, it's a bit like "pity the fool" who doesn't have a NAS. :-)

Synology has the 213+ listed in their 'Standard Business Line' so as a two disk NAS it'd be a pretty bespoke purchase for the home, but good on you if you have one. Sweet that it's documented as supporting 2 x 4TB disks.

Think my QNAP TS-112 would be too small for any business environment these days, but still OK for very basic home use.

My next NAS would have to have dual 1GBit Ethernet(10Gbit would be better) , as there is no point in having a HDD read rate exceeding a 1Gbit Ethernet, as no one mentions CDMA/CD on a shared LAN even if it is switched, then there is 802.11ac (CDMA/CA aside) which'll probably never impact a 1Gbit Ethernet LAN connection by itself, but on a 1Gbit 4xport LAN switched router with 802.11ac and clients to match.... Dude, like that little puppy (NAS) is going to have to learn how to sing... and quick.

I have to plug in a USB CF/SD card reader into my TS-112 as I don't have a card reader built in. :-(
An SD card reader would have been nice [QNAP, are you reading this!!!!])

I have TVHeadend and a Hauppauge's WinTV-USB plugged into my QNAP TS-112 so I can watch TV on my Android phone and/or schedule recording from my phone.

I'm running out of USB ports on my NAS and considering getting a USB 3.0 powered hub.
Have Gigabit switch kicking around somewhere so LAN wise I'm sorted.

USB CF card reader
USB SD card reader
USB 802.11n WiFi
USB WinTV
USB Printer
USB IDE and SATA 2.5" HDD
USB Flash sticks.
USB LG DVD read/writer (which I can't find a working ipkg for :-( ...yet.. )

Even though my TS-112 only has USB-2.0 my thoughts are that a USB-3.0 hub 'should' obey the standards and provide 900mA power to a USB port compared to 500mA on USB-2.0. A lot of desktop PC provide more than 500mA on a USB-2.0 port and thus can spin up most USB HDD on a USB-2.0 port, but a lot of hubs skimp and only provide 500mA. If you strip the case off a USB HDD and look at the amps required, it's mostly 0.55A and some IDE HDD I have in enclosures are 0.70A (waste not, want not). So a USB 3.0 should be good to go using one powered USB cable.

I haven't even looked at what could be shared on a eSATA or spun up going down that path.

Yet to be seen if this is a cunning plan that'll not end in tears as I have no idea how many external USB 'entities' can be 'mounted'. I say that cause each partition on a 2.5" HDD is seen as a USB mount point to my TS-112.

The one good thing with QNAP and Synology and probably others too is, even the most basic entery level device comes with the same software applications across the range. Hardware dependant on RAID and etc of course.

Anyway, just time to start searching if a USB Bluetooth adapter is supported... :-)

Yorkshirekid

193 posts

Master Geek

#707852 28-Oct-2012 12:24

Ok - I'm [technically] stuck.

RTFM - done that. But still can't figure out out to configure the NAS and need advice please.

The basic config is done, but I don't understand how to get the NAS into a state where it can reach it from the www. Meaning I want to be able access it from my iPhone or cafe in Auckland, Wellington, TimBuk2... And anyone else in the family too.

It's the setting up of the DDNS that i can't figure out. I believe I need to do this via my ISP or some other service? If it is from 'some other service' then is there a free option? I need a step by step instructions or a friendly Geek that can guide me though this process please.

nickb800

2721 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#707859 28-Oct-2012 12:36

Yorkshirekid: Ok - I'm [technically] stuck.

RTFM - done that. But still can't figure out out to configure the NAS and need advice please.

The basic config is done, but I don't understand how to get the NAS into a state where it can reach it from the www. Meaning I want to be able access it from my iPhone or cafe in Auckland, Wellington, TimBuk2... And anyone else in the family too.

It's the setting up of the DDNS that i can't figure out. I believe I need to do this via my ISP or some other service? If it is from 'some other service' then is there a free option? I need a step by step instructions or a friendly Geek that can guide me though this process please.

Nothing to do with your ISP, but yes you will need to sign up for a free service. If you go into the DDNS settings page on your router or NAS, then see what services it supports. Its probably easiest if you do this from your router's admin page rather than the NAS. It will probably support services like freedns, dyndns, tzo, or no-ip. Choose one of these services, sign up for a free account and domain (will be something like yourname123.no-ip.tv for example) and then chuck in that address and your login details for that service into the DDNS page on your router admin.

Technofreak

6531 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#707868 28-Oct-2012 13:11

Yorkshirekid: Ok - I'm [technically] stuck.

RTFM - done that. But still can't figure out out to configure the NAS and need advice please.

The basic config is done, but I don't understand how to get the NAS into a state where it can reach it from the www. Meaning I want to be able access it from my iPhone or cafe in Auckland, Wellington, TimBuk2... And anyone else in the family too.

It's the setting up of the DDNS that i can't figure out. I believe I need to do this via my ISP or some other service? If it is from 'some other service' then is there a free option? I need a step by step instructions or a friendly Geek that can guide me though this process please.

If you have a static IP address from ISP then you probably don't need DDNS

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DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#708179 29-Oct-2012 02:21

Yorkshirekid: Ok - I'm [technically] stuck.

RTFM - done that. But still can't figure out out to configure the NAS and need advice please.

The basic config is done, but I don't understand how to get the NAS into a state where it can reach it from the www. Meaning I want to be able access it from my iPhone or cafe in Auckland, Wellington, TimBuk2... And anyone else in the family too.

It's the setting up of the DDNS that i can't figure out. I believe I need to do this via my ISP or some other service? If it is from 'some other service' then is there a free option? I need a step by step instructions or a friendly Geek that can guide me though this process please.

Hmmm, Cafe in Auckland.... not sure about Timbuktu, but Mopti doesn't have a whole lot of Internet happening. ;-)

So... I'd set up a DDNS on the router. A lot of routers have predefined services and you can select one. I chose DynDNS.

This just marries a private IP address with a Global IP address.

This will give you access to your home LAN from an external Global IP address.

You can now drill (port-forward) data over port 80, 8080, 21 and etc into your LAN. I would strongly suggest NAT outside of well know ports, thus slowing down port scanners slightly.

This is extremely insecure and even with source/destination IP address filtering one is still prone to attack. Not recommended.

The best approach is to create a VPN Server in your local LAN and then use the likes of OpenVPN(best)/PPTP(weak security) with the appropriate firewall/IP filtering in place.

QNAP or Synology NAS both support OpenVPN and PPTP servers.

As the NAS holds ones precious things, one could elected to use a router as an OpenVPN and PPTP server and then add one last IP filter on the NAS Ethernet. This just gives one more level of separation from the world to your data.

If you are heading out beyond Bamako, then OpenVPN is the only real answer, oh and a good battery.

All this works fine in an Android, TomatoUSB and QNAP(most probably Synology too) environment.

ADSL2+ upload at ~850Kbits is the biggest party pooper in the whole package. ;-)

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Yorkshirekid

193 posts

Master Geek

#708181 29-Oct-2012 05:24

Technofreak - If you have a static IP address from ISP then you probably don't need DDNS

DrStrangelove - So... I'd set up a DDNS on the router.

Yorkshirekid - I need a step by step instructions... that can guide me though this process please.

So guys, now I'm more confused as I'm getting conflicting advice along with techno talk I don't understand.

Do I set up DDNS on the router or not? If so, how do I do this?

And then if i do that [DrStrangelove], you say it isn't secure - and preferably should VPN. Aghhh... how do I do THAT !!

And then - there's the message I get when trying to do anything [see attached].

Sorry to sound thick but I'm trying to learn this technology.

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#708273 29-Oct-2012 11:22

Ok. Lets walk and talk.

If we go through the whole process using only your NAS, we can create the solution you require.

This has no consideration for hardened security and is just to provide a solution, so that a process can be understood.

1). Create a Dynamic DNS name.

   We will use www.dyndns.com. You will create an account with the organisation and you will register a global DNS IP host name you have chosen.
    i.e. dogon.dyndns-home.com

   This DNS name is then mapped to your ISP IP address currently being used.

    This is my DDNS. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
    My DDNS is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
    My DDNS, without me, is useless......

2) Create a DDNS connection from your QNAP NAS.

   System Admin -> Network -> DDNS.

   Now fill in the field with the information you have from creating your DDNS entry on www.dyndns.com

   DDNS Server: www.dyndns.com
   Username:
   Password:
   HostName: hostname you created on www.dnydns.com

   Apply.

3) Check status.

   Your NAS should now see a path to the network and should say, "DDNS update success" in the Recent DDNS Update Result display.

4) You will now access your NAS by addressing it as dogon.dyndns-home.com on the IP port of the service you wish to access. 21/20 for FTP, 80 for HTTP or 443 HTTPS etc.


Set up DDNS Service for Remote Internet Access to QNAP NAS

Now you will read, that you have to enable access from the outside world through your modem/router to your NAS.

This means granting the _WORLD_ access to your NAS on the services you select.

This could be:
Port 80 or 8080 for web access if you are hosting a Web server on your NAS.
Port 21 and port 20 for FTP depending on configuration.
Port 23 for mail
Port 3306 for MySQL data access.

And the list goes on.

This would mean a Username/password on your NAS is the only thing stopping a hacker from uploading hacker software to your NAS and converting it into a zombie bot. If that doesn't scare the living daylights out of you it should!!!

To slow the hackers down..a bit, you _MUST_ enable IP network filtering on your modem/router/NAS or bespoke firewall to restrict IP source/destination addresses to a manageable 'group'.

Assuming you're a home user and not a corporate providing a Web service, the above would just be madness and a recipe for disaster.

Now using a secure tunnel, namely a VPN comes to the fore. The QNAP NAS supports PPTP (easy to setup and use, but weak security) and OpneVPN which is more secure with client/server certificates.

Using a VPN removes the requirement to open well know IP ports on you modem/router; which light up like a lighthouse to any would be hackers. You now only have to open the PPTP port and GRE IP protocol or OpenVPN port to gain access to your NAS. This provides a security challenge before your even get to the User/password level of your NAS.

Again, this is not ideal as all this is happening ON your NAS and as any security person would tell you, security vetting should be done as close to the access point(ISP) as possible to limit the risk of forced access.

However, a VPN on a NAS is the best of a bad thing and would be the minimum level of security I would have in place before I allowed an access to my NAS/LAN.

In an ideal world the postman delivers mail to the post-box at the entrance to your property. He/she does NOT deliver your mail to your bedroom. (Unless you have an arrangement ;-)

All the above assumes you have a stable switched/routed LAN environment with no other problems related to TCP/IP data traffic.

This is just the tip of what is involved in setting up LAN access from the Internet.

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#708311 29-Oct-2012 12:06

thats a great write up, nice work.

I use a windows rras server to vpn into the home network and connect to everything externally via that. Works well with all the iPhone apps that synology put out. Using the built in one on the NAS is the next best idea...not ideal as you point out but better than nothing.

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DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#708601 29-Oct-2012 18:11

gjm: Works well with all the iPhone apps that synology put out.

True, the same goes for Android and QNAP.

Only a few years ago there was no way you could pop down to the corner shop in the chuckle wagon for a six pack of medicine and still be able to check the CPU, Memory, Ethernet I/O, event logs, system processes or schedule downloads on your NAS at home.

Gosh, if I had decent upload bandwidth (currently only ADSL2+) I could listen to FLAC encode music, watch mkv videos or even watch TV from my NAS. Mounting a folder on my NAS as a local folder on my phone is only a two finger press operation. Even accessing 1GB AES-256 encrypted document containers from the NAS remotely on my phone is starting to lose it's thrill. ;-)

48C for my HDD is hot. Or as Paris would say if she was a techie, "That's hot!"
Got a WD 3TB red on the way.

jaredmc

19 posts

Geek

#713231 6-Nov-2012 22:31

I'm considering buying a DS212j but I have a few unanswered questions. Hopefully someone can help me out.

I want to use the NAS as storage for all my music and video files. Then I want to access the videos using DLNA on my TV. And access the music with iTunes on my laptop.

When transferring files to the NAS does it automatically and immediately update the DLNA server? Or does this need to be done manually? Or is it done periodically. Does it scan the whole HDD again, or just the new files? With my current solution (Ext HDD plugged into modem) I need to update this manually. And so it scans the whole hard drive before the content is available to watch on the TV. This takes a bit of time, so it is what I am trying to avoid.

I assume that this unit can play 1080p videos with no buffering/stuttering/problems.

When using the Download Manager, how many connections does it use for HTTPS downloads? It would be ideal if I can download directly to the NAS. Rather than download to the laptop and then transfer wirelessly to the NAS. Is there the ability to unrar files?

TechSol

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

Technical Solutions Aust

#713343 7-Nov-2012 08:53

jaredmc:

I'm considering buying a DS212j but I have a few unanswered questions. Hopefully someone can help me out.

I have a DS212+ so some of this applies

jaredmc:
I want to use the NAS as storage for all my music and video files. Then I want to access the videos using DLNA on my TV. And access the music with iTunes on my laptop.

No problem - no problem - never tried but can't see a problem

jaredmc:

When transferring files to the NAS does it automatically and immediately update the DLNA server? Or does this need to be done manually? Or is it done periodically. Does it scan the whole HDD again, or just the new files? With my current solution (Ext HDD plugged into modem) I need to update this manually. And so it scans the whole hard drive before the content is available to watch on the TV. This takes a bit of time, so it is what I am trying to avoid.

The DS212+ seems to automatically and immediately update the DLNA server.... I believe it is a periodic check however - I just think it's so often as for me to not notice. To do it manually is also very easy though.

jaredmc:
I assume that this unit can play 1080p videos with no buffering/stuttering/problems.

DS212+ has no problems, and I can't see it being a problem with the J either

jaredmc:
When using the Download Manager, how many connections does it use for HTTPS downloads? It would be ideal if I can download directly to the NAS. Rather than download to the laptop and then transfer wirelessly to the NAS. Is there the ability to unrar files?

Not sure about HTTPS downloads, but unfortunately it only uses one connection per file on FTP as far as I can find

jaredmc

19 posts

Geek

#713767 7-Nov-2012 20:08

Thanks heaps for the fast reply.

Sorry to be anal but this is quite important to me.

So have you copied a file over and then been able to play it immediately through DLNA?

Or do you typically copy your files over and then play them at a later time and date, so you haven't really noticed the speed that it updates.

I expected 1 connection only for the Download Manager. This is a shame as I would get nowhere close to my line speed.

TechSol

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

Technical Solutions Aust

#714096 8-Nov-2012 11:52

jaredmc: Thanks heaps for the fast reply.

Sorry to be anal but this is quite important to me.

So have you copied a file over and then been able to play it immediately through DLNA?

Or do you typically copy your files over and then play them at a later time and date, so you haven't really noticed the speed that it updates.

I expected 1 connection only for the Download Manager. This is a shame as I would get nowhere close to my line speed.

To be honest, I can't remember.... I think once I tried and it hadn't updated, but another time I tried it did it instantly.... I've had two different firmware versions since I have owned it (since August) so it's possible the new firmware is faster.

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