How to Install a USB-to-5GbE Adapter to Your Synology NAS

Guide: Using the Wavlink USB-to-5GbE Adapter on a Synology NAS

If you’re looking to upgrade your Synology NAS’s network speed without investing in expensive native solutions, you can connect a Wavlink USB-to-5GbE adapter. While this adapter isn’t officially supported by Synology, users have developed workarounds to make it function. This guide will walk you through how to set up the adapter and get faster speeds on your NAS.

Note – Full Video Installation of the USB-to-5Gb/s and Synology NAS Setup Guide HERE on YouTube

Important Warning: Proceed with Caution!

Before diving into the steps, it’s critical to understand the risks involved:

• Warranty Void: Installing a third-party driver and modifying your NAS could void your Synology warranty. If anything goes wrong, Synology won’t provide support, and you may lose access to official updates and assistance.
• System Instability: Using unsupported hardware can cause system crashes, network instability, or make your NAS unusable. Proceed at your own risk and always back up your data before attempting any changes.

You can buy the Wavlink USB-to-5GbE Network adapter HERE for $39.99 on AliExpress, or HERE on Amazon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Backup Your Data

Make sure to back up all important data from your NAS before proceeding. Any system modification runs the risk of data loss.

Use the video below to see every kind of way to Backup your Synology NAS in DSM:

2. Download the Modified Driver

1. Go to the bb-qq’s GitHub repository and download the Realtek r8152 modified driver package (SPK) that corresponds to your NAS’s CPU architecture.

1. To find your NAS’s CPU and architecture:

• • Navigate to Control Panel → Hardware & Power → General in the Synology DSM.
  • Take note of the CPU model and version of DSM (likely DSM 7.2.x).

3. Enable Third-Party Applications

1. Go to Package Center on your Synology NAS.
2. Click on Settings in the top right corner.
3. Check the box that says Allow installation of packages published by unknown developers.
   • Acknowledge the warning regarding third-party apps.

4. Install the SPK File

1. In Package Center, click Manual Install and upload the SPK file you downloaded from GitHub.

1. The installation will guide you through the process, but don’t panic if it fails on the first attempt. This is expected.

5. Enable SSH

1. Go to Control Panel → Terminal & SNMP.
2. Enable SSH Service.

1. Leave the default port number (22), and apply the settings.
2. Download an SSH client like PuTTY for Windows or use Terminal on macOS to SSH into your NAS.
   • Use the NAS’s IP address and your admin credentials to log in.

6. Run the Necessary Command

1. Copy the command from the GitHub page:

sudo install -m 4755 -o root -D /var/packages/r8152/target/r8152/spk_su /opt/sbin/spk_su

sudo chmod a+rx /opt /opt/sbin

1. Paste the command in your SSH client and run it. This will install the necessary back-end support for the driver.

1. Once the installation is complete, return to the Package Center on your NAS and reinstall the SPK file. This time, it should work without issues.

7. Connect Your Wavlink Adapter

1. Connect the Wavlink USB-to-5GbE adapter to a USB 3.0 port (preferably one on the back of the NAS for better performance).
2. If your NAS only has USB Type-A ports, use a Type-C to Type-A adapter that supports USB 3.2 speeds.
3. After connecting the adapter, check if it’s recognized in the Control Panel under Network.

8. Testing the Adapter

Once connected, you can monitor the new 5GbE adapter’s performance:

1. Open Control Panel → Network → Network Interface to verify the new interface.
2. You may need to restart the NAS for the adapter to become fully operational. If it’s not immediately recognized, re-enable the driver via Package Center.

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Issues You Might Encounter

While using the Wavlink adapter, you could experience several issues, which are important to be aware of:

1. Driver Instability: Each time DSM is updated, the driver may stop working. You’ll need to re-run the installation steps or wait for the community to provide an updated version.
2. Performance Bottlenecks: The 5GbE speed potential depends on the internal setup of your NAS. If you’re using mechanical hard drives or a CPU with limited performance, you might not see the full speed benefits. In some cases, speeds may be limited to around 350-400 MB/s due to the internal hardware.
3. Network Interface Issues: You might face occasional issues like:
   • The adapter not showing up after a reboot.
   • MTU settings disappearing from the network interface configuration.
   • The driver occasionally disabling itself after DSM updates or restarts, requiring manual reinstallation.
4. Potential Data Loss: As with any system modification, instability could lead to data corruption or loss. Always keep regular backups, especially when using unofficial drivers or performing system changes.

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While this workaround enables you to improve the networking speed of your Synology NAS using a Wavlink USB-to-5GbE adapter, it comes with significant risks, including potential voiding of your warranty and system instability. If you’re comfortable with these risks and need the network speed boost, this guide can help you achieve your goal. However, this solution isn’t recommended for mission-critical systems or long-term stability. Always monitor performance closely and back up your data frequently to avoid losing important files. By following the steps above, you can increase your network speeds, but proceed with caution. You’re essentially bypassing Synology’s support and using your NAS in an unsupported manner, so make sure this modification is truly worth it for your setup. If you are interested in learning more about this USB to 5GbE adapter, you can read the full review HERE, the YouTube Review HERE, or just catch he review conclusion below:

Wavlink USB-to-5GbE NIC Review – Conclusion

I think you know what I’m going to say! I really don’t think you can question this device for its $30 price tag, given that you have to spend three figures for a Thunderbolt/USB4 10G adaptor, or maybe buy a 2.5G adaptor and save yourself $5… there really is no competition here, and although the Wavlink is a very good product, we also have to acknowledge that chances are we are about to see an absolute sea of similarly priced and near-identical architectured adaptors like this one arriving on the market anytime now. Bottom line, if they are all going to be as reliable as the Wavlink USB 5G adaptor, let them arrive. I could complain about the lack of a USB Type-A adaptor or the rather modest packaging, but for just $30, this thing is an absolute bargain and a reliable network upgrade if ever I saw one!

Wavlink USB-to-5GbE NIC PROS	Wavlink USB-to-5GbE NIC CONS
Increases network speed up to 5GbE, 5 times faster than standard gigabit adapters. Affordable price point, typically around $30. USB-C interface with backward compatibility for USB 3.1 and higher. Supports multiple network speeds: 1GbE, 2.5GbE, and 5GbE. Compact, lightweight design with aluminum casing for durability and heat dissipation. Plug-and-play functionality for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. Passive cooling system ensures silent operation without the need for a fan. Bus-powered, eliminating the need for external power sources.	No USB Type-A adapter included in the package, limiting compatibility with older devices. Limited NAS system compatibility as of now, with some platforms requiring manual driver installation.

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