Idiots Guide to synology NAS

[Dan_1981]

So took the plunge and purchased a synology DS218J

Now looking for a bit of advice how to get the best of it...

Want it to handle the back ups of my mobile phone, my wifes mobile, a laptop and a desktop PC.

Mainly just photo's and general data from all of them

Do I need to install a particular package onto each device?

If so which one.

Next stage is to set up the images for remote access via the 'cloud' again how do I do this from our mobiles?

Thanks in advance!

[KamSandhu44]

I back my phone photos using the DS File mobile application, works a treat.

As for my laptop, I moved all my data on to the NAS and use DS Cloud to sync it to my laptop. Not exactly a backup, but if my laptop died, I would not lose any data.

Also, consider backing up you NAS, I use Synology's C2 cloud service and run weekly backups.

Sorry I cannot help with the images stuff.

[Dan_1981]

Thanks.

Managed to get DS File on my mobile last night.

It's working a little bit - in that it finds some image files - mainly ones rom whatsapp or editted / downloaded from other apps.

However it won't locate my main images file for some reason.

Phone is an android Huawei P20 pro.

[KamSandhu44]

In the Photo Backup section in DS File, it should let you specify the paths you want to backup. Point it to the DCIM folder on your phone.

[woots787]

Also check the settings, it can default to a fairly small max file size which might explain why whatsapp compressed pics save but normal ones don't.

[Dan_1981]

KamSandhu44 said:

In the Photo Backup section in DS File, it should let you specify the paths you want to backup. Point it to the DCIM folder on your phone.

It lets me select the folders it think I want but doesn't let me specifiy a path. When I go to the custom set up to select folders DCIM is in there but it doesn't pull over any images.

woots787 said:

Also check the settings, it can default to a fairly small max file size which might explain why whatsapp compressed pics save but normal ones don't.

Doesn't appear to be any settings within the ap to select file size applicable?

[KamSandhu44]

Ah yes, there is no path options, I had to have another look.

Are you sure your photos are being saved to the DCIM directory? Silly question, but might be worth checking.

[Dan_1981]

KamSandhu44 said:

Ah yes, there is no path options, I had to have another look.

Are you sure your photos are being saved to the DCIM directory? Silly question, but might be worth checking.

Thanks for the ongoing assitance!

I checked....

They in a folder within the DCIM folder, so it goes DCIM - CAMERA - (All images are here)

Also inside the dcim folder are two other folder - Facebook & Restored.

And a single file - 'edge.ppmx'

No idea what that is? or even if any of it is relevant?

[KamSandhu44]

Try setting off a manual backup through DS File, see if that copies accross the pictures.

[Dan_1981]

Downloaded DS Cloud instead of DS File and it seems to work OK - lets me select the actual file.
Can't actually test as i'm away from a wi-fi network at the moment but will see how this goes this evening....

[KamSandhu44]

Becareful of DS Cloud, it is not a proper backup tool, if you accidently delete something, it will delete it from both ends.

Try DS Photo, that also has a backup option.

[Dan_1981]

Ah Thanks. Did notice the upload / download sync options and turned off the downstream one.

Will give photo a go too.

[Dan_1981]

DSphoto won't work at all won't let me log in.

DSfile update....

Took a couple of new pictures and they are being backed up from the dcim file - so it is picking up new images but not old ones for some reason?!

[Dan_1981]

Final update...

Fixed / sorted all done.
Both android and IOS phones now backed up to the NAS.

Next question - is there a way to automate this every day / week whatever or do I need to manually open the app?

[KamSandhu44]

For DS Photo to work, you need to install Photo Station on the NAS.

RE: Backups, they should automatically backup when you take a picture. I have 'Upload on Wi-Fi only' enabled and it automatically backups everytime I connect to my WiFi.

[Crasher242]

KamSandhu44 said:

Also, consider backing up your NAS, I use Synology's C2 cloud service and run weekly backups.

^ this

All very well backing up your devices to your NAS, but you should also consider backing up your NAS too!

I use the Synology C2 cloud service, as well has having local backups to an attached USB drive, that i swap out/rotate on a weekly basis. 4 devices all in rotation, with 1 put in the fire safe at home, and 2 always kept offsite.

Experience has taut me 2 lessons:
1 - you can never have too many backups
2 - never keep all your backups in one place

[durbster]

I use Synology Moments to back up photos from my phone. The app itself is a bit like Google Photos and can do all the automatic location and face recognition stuff which is handy when you're looking for pictures. Like a lot of Synology software, it's impressive.