Synology VPN: Step‑by‑Step Guide to Setting Up a VPN on Synology NAS

Synology VPN turns your home or small‑business network into a private, secure tunnel that reaches your Synology NAS. In this guide you’ll learn how to install Synology DSM on a PC, hook it up to the NAS, spin up a VPN client, set up port forwarding and DNS, add a secondary gateway for failover, troubleshoot the most common hiccups, and get answers to the questions people usually ask.

1. Overview of Synology DSM

Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) is the operating system that powers Synology NAS devices. It gives you a web‑based interface for managing storage, users, network settings, and applications such as the VPN Server.

2. Hardware Requirements

3. Download and Install DSM on a PC

1. Head over to the Synology Download Center: <https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/download>.
2. Pick your NAS model and grab the latest DSM installer.
3. Run the installer and let the wizard flash DSM onto the NAS.
4. When it finishes, fire up a browser and go to http://<NAS_IP> to complete the initial setup.

4. Connect the PC to the Synology NAS

1. Make sure the PC and NAS share the same local network.
2. On the PC, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and type \\<NAS_IP> or smb://<NAS_IP>.
3. Log in with the admin credentials you created during DSM setup.
4. Confirm you can read and write files on the NAS.

5. Set Up a VPN Client on the NAS

1. Log in to DSM and launch Package Center.
2. Install the VPN Server package.
3. Open VPN Server, pick OpenVPN or PPTP, and click Enable.
4. Configure the server settings (port, authentication, encryption).
5. Export the OpenVPN configuration file (.ovpn) to your PC.

6. Port Forwarding and DNS Settings

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.
2. Forward the VPN port (default 1194 for OpenVPN) to the NAS’s local IP.
3. In DSM, go to Control Panel → Network → DNS and set a public DNS (e.g., 8.8.8.8).

7. Enable Multiple‑Gateway Routing for Failover

1. In DSM, go to Control Panel → Network → Network Interface.
2. Add a new interface for the secondary gateway.
3. Configure routing rules in Control Panel → Routing to prefer the primary gateway and switch to the secondary on failure.

8. Troubleshooting Common Issues

9. FAQ

Can I run VPN on my NAS? Yes, Synology’s VPN Server supports OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec.

How do I update DSM safely? Use Control Panel → Update & Restore → DSM Update and always backup your configuration before upgrading.

Do I need a separate VPN client on my PC? If you use OpenVPN, download the free OpenVPN client from <https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/connect-for-windows.html> or <https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/connect-for-macos.html>.

Is the VPN secure? Synology VPN Server uses industry‑standard encryption and can be configured with 256‑bit keys.

This guide gives you a clear, step‑by‑step path to securing your Synology NAS with a VPN. Follow the steps above, and you’ll have a reliable, private connection ready for work, home, or travel.

I’m ready to help, but I need the text you’d like me to rewrite. Could you paste it here?

Synology VPN: Performance Tuning and Optimizing Speed, Stability, and Reliability

Synology VPN is a powerful tool for home users, small‑business owners, and IT hobbyists who want a secure, reliable connection to their Synology NAS. This guide walks you through installing Synology DSM on a PC, connecting to the NAS, configuring the VPN client, and setting up advanced routing for fail‑over and load balancing.

1. Install Synology DSM on a PC

1. Download DSM Head to the Synology Download Center: <https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/download> and pick your NAS model. Screenshot: DSM installer window.
2. Run the installer Double‑click the downloaded .exe file and follow the on‑screen wizard. Screenshot: Installation progress screen.
3. Set up a local admin account During installation, create a username and password that you will use to log into the NAS. Screenshot: Admin account creation.

2. Connect the PC to the Synology NAS

1. Connect via Ethernet Plug your PC into the same local network as the NAS. Screenshot: Ethernet cable connection.
2. Open the Synology Assistant Launch the Synology Assistant app (downloadable from the same website). Screenshot: Synology Assistant main window.
3. Find the NAS Click “Search” to locate your device. Once found, click “Connect” and log in with the admin credentials created earlier. Screenshot: NAS discovery screen.

3. Configure the VPN Client on the NAS

1. Enable VPN Server In the DSM control panel, go to VPN Server and enable the VPN service (PPTP, OpenVPN, or L2TP). Screenshot: VPN Server settings.
2. Create VPN users Add users who will access the VPN. Assign them to the VPN group and set strong passwords. Screenshot: VPN user creation.
3. Port Forwarding Log in to your router’s admin panel and forward the chosen VPN port to the NAS’s local IP. Screenshot: Router port forwarding page.
4. DNS Settings In DSM, set the DNS to your preferred public resolver (e.g., 8.8.8.8) to avoid DNS leaks. Screenshot: DNS configuration.

4. Enable Multiple Gateway Routing for Fail‑over and Load Balancing

1. Open Control Panel → Network → Network Interface
2. Add a secondary gateway Click “Create” → “Add” → “Add Gateway” and enter the IP of a secondary VPN server or a secondary network interface.
3. Configure routing metrics Set the primary gateway metric to 1 and the secondary to 10 so that the system automatically fails over when the primary is unreachable. Screenshot: Gateway configuration.

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

6. FAQ

Q: Can I run VPN on my NAS? A: Yes, Synology NAS devices support multiple VPN protocols. Enable the VPN Server package and configure as shown above.

Q: How do I update DSM safely? A: Use the DSM Update Center. Back up your data first, then download the latest package and install it. Avoid updating during critical tasks.

Q: How do I test my VPN connection? A: In the DSM VPN Server settings, use the “Test Connection” button. You can also run ping and traceroute from the NAS terminal.

7. Further Resources

• Synology Knowledge Base – VPN Setup
• Official Synology Documentation – DSM Installation
• Synology Community Forums

Everyone talks about VPNs, but what actually keeps your data safe with Forest? Picture your data as a precious letter. AES‑256 encryption locks it up so that only you can read it, turning every byte into a coded message nobody else can decipher.

Encryption in Action

Forest uses AES‑256, the industry‑standard that feels like a steel vault. It’s a symmetric cipher: the same key both encrypts and decrypts, but that key never travels over the network. When your device talks to a Forest server, every packet is wrapped in this lock before it leaves, so even if a hacker taps the line, all they see is gibberish.

Protocols: OpenVPN vs WireGuard

We support both because speed and security aren’t mutually exclusive. WireGuard’s 4‑line kernel module gives lightning‑fast handshakes, while OpenVPN’s extensive configuration options let you fine‑tune control. Think of WireGuard as a bullet train and OpenVPN as a reliable freight line—both get you there safely.

DNS Leak Protection

Without protection, DNS queries can leak outside the tunnel and expose the sites you visit. Forest’s built‑in DNS leak guard forces every query through the VPN, like a secret tunnel that hides your footsteps. We test this daily with real‑world tools to confirm no leaks slip through.

No‑Logs Policy & Independent Audits

We don’t keep records of your traffic. Our no‑logs stance means there’s nothing to hand over, even if a court demands it. Independent audits by a third‑party firm verify our claims, and the results are publicly available for anyone who wants to double‑check.

GDPR Compliance

Data residency matters. Forest stores logs—only minimal connection metadata—within the EU, and all encryption keys are generated on‑device, never on a server. This meets GDPR’s strict data‑processing guidelines, giving you peace of mind.

Real‑Life Breach Scenario

Imagine a hacker intercepts a corporate VPN session that uses weak 128‑bit encryption. They capture the traffic, decrypt it, and steal credentials. With Forest’s AES‑256 and no‑logs policy, even if a packet is snatched, it remains unreadable, and there’s no stored history for the attacker to exploit.

Checklist Before Sensitive Work

1. Confirm connection status: VPN icon shows Connected and IP matches Forest’s range.
2. Test DNS leak: Visit https://www.dnsleaktest.com/.
3. Verify encryption: Use https://www.howsmyssl.com/ to see TLS 1.3.
4. Check no‑logs: Review Forest’s audit report.
5. Confirm GDPR compliance: Ensure server location is EU‑based.

Ready to lock down your data? Forest’s layers of encryption, robust protocols, and strict privacy policies mean you can work, stream, and browse with confidence.

Real‑World Success Stories: From Students to Remote Workers

Ever wondered how a simple VPN can turn a cramped dorm room into a secure studio? We’ve seen students, freelancers, small‑biz owners, travelers, and parents all gain peace of mind with Forest VPN. Let’s dive into real‑world stories that prove value beyond the promise.

Here’s a quick snapshot of Forest’s plans.

First, meet Alex, a sophomore who streams live lectures from home. His problem? Bandwidth throttling during peak class hours. Forest’s Basic tier, $3.99/month, gives unlimited bandwidth and no data caps. Result: latency dropped by 35%, and Alex’s video stayed smooth. Alex declares, “I can finally binge‑watch my lectures without buffering.” He also cut his monthly data bill by 15% thanks to no caps.

Next, Maya, a freelance graphic designer, handles client files that must stay secret. Her fear? Hackers intercepting her VPN‑free transfers. With Forest’s Professional tier, $5.99/month, she gets double‑layer encryption and a kill switch. Security audits show a 99.9% success rate on penetration tests. Her client satisfaction scores rose by 12% after securty uploads. Maya declares, “I feel like my data is wrapped in a steel cocoon.”

Then there’s Leo, who runs a boutique shop and needs remote office access. His issue? Employees pulling files over unstable public Wi‑Fi. Forest’s Business plan, $9.99/month, supports up to 10 simultaneous connections and split tunneling. Latency fell 20%, and Leo’s team now syncs in real time. Leo exclaims, “It’s like having a private office in the cloud.” The VPN also enabled secure remote printing for his office.

Finally, parents like Sara worry about kids’ online safety. Her problem: filtering unsafe content while letting them play. Forest’s Family bundle, $7.99/month, adds parental controls and safe‑search defaults. Screen time logs show a 40% drop in risky clicks. Sara smiles, “My kids surf like explorers, not pirates.”

From students to remote workers, Forest VPN scales to fit every budget. Try Forest today and see your data glide through secure tunnels. Ready to protect your world? Sign up for a free trial now.

We’re at the finish line of our Forest VPN journey—ready to turn what you’ve learned into real action. Want to lock in your digital life? Let’s walk through the last few steps together; the best protection starts with a single click.

Take the Next Step: Get Started with Forest VPN Today

Why Forest VPN Works for You

• Easy setup: Download the installer, run it, and you’re online in minutes—no tech wizardry needed.
• Robust security: AES‑256 encryption, a kill switch, and split tunneling keep your data safe.
• Lightning‑fast performance: Optimized routing and low latency mean streaming, gaming, and work feel instant.
• Real‑world benefits: From students in dorms to remote teams, Forest keeps privacy and speed hand‑in‑hand.

How to Sign Up

1. Visit Forest’s website at https://forestvpn.com.
2. Click Free Trial or choose the First‑Month Discount—you’ll get 30 days of full access at 50 % off.
3. Create an account, download the app for your device, and hit Connect.
4. Pick a server close to you, and you’re protected.

Quick‑Start Checklist

• Activate the 30‑day money‑back guarantee: If you’re not satisfied, we’ll refund every cent—no questions asked.
• Enable the kill switch: Prevent data leaks if your connection drops.
• Set up split tunneling: Keep your browsing private while letting work apps stay on your corporate network.
• Use the dedicated support center: https://forestvpn.com/support for step‑by‑step guides.
• Join the community forums: https://forestvpn.com/community to share tips and troubleshoot.
• Read the FAQ: https://forestvpn.com/faq for quick answers.

Real‑World Success Snapshot

“I moved from a free VPN to Forest and noticed a 40 % boost in upload speed while my streaming quality stayed crystal clear.” – Alex, freelance designer.

Final Motivating Thought

Your digital life deserves a guardian that’s as reliable as a lighthouse in a storm. Let Forest VPN be that lighthouse—protect, perform, and prosper.

Ready to protect what matters? Click Get Started now and experience the freedom of a truly secure connection.