Can I connect Synology Diskstation NAS directly to a Mac?

Last updated on 28 Sep 2022 📧 Subscribe

Can I connect Synology Diskstation NAS directly to a Mac?

 

Hardware Used in today’s Tests

 

If you have WiFi and Ethernet connectivity on a NAS, this will simplify things. Otherwise, while you are connected directly to a Synology you would not have Ethernet/Internet access (Only Qnap allows to pass through Ethernet/Internet through additional LAN ports).

 

TIP: For this job, you may need an Ethernet crossover cable (but most modern systems come with auto-detection and this may not be required)  UK  USA     

If you are planning to connect your Synology NAS to your PC over USB, then no, you can not. NAS means network-attached storage and is being connected to a network. Once added as a network drive, the new drive will appear in your drive list on your PC or Mac.

If you want to connect your NAS directly, you can do it. Set up manual IP  on your PC and NAS with one in the same IP range. Then use the Synology finder app or type IP in the address bar and it’s done. The maximum speed for a regular network cable is 1Gb/s which is around 115MB/s in real life.

For example, Your NAS IP could be 192.168.1.100 and computer 192.168.1.101. 

You should use the same range as your computer IP. How to find your local IP? Type “Ethernet” in the search box and open Ethernet settings. Then click on your adapter connection icon and scroll down to IP address.

 

 

 

 

Then head to Synology

  • Login to your NAS
  • Open Control Panel
  • Open Network
  • Select Network Interface from the tabs above
  • Select LAN, click on Edit
  • and choose manual configuration
  • you can provide your NDS server (router IP, which you found next to IP settings earlier)

You should be able to already connect via browser to your NAS under new IP. Or you can use “Synology Assistant” app on desktop. Or search

You can then map it to your computer under this IP.

 

 

 

 



If you like this service, please consider supporting us.
We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you. Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which is used to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H. You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks! To find out more about how to support this advice service check HERE   If you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver   Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

☕ WE LOVE COFFEE ☕

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US
     

locked content ko-fi subscribe

DISCUSS with others your opinion about this subject.
ASK questions to NAS community
SHARE more details what you have found on this subject
CONTRIBUTE with your own article or review. Click HERE
IMPROVE this niche ecosystem, let us know what to change/fix on this site
EARN KO-FI Share your knowledge with others and get paid for it! Click HERE

ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE!

4 thoughts on “Can I connect Synology Diskstation NAS directly to a Mac?”

  1. Hi.
    I can connect, with the “Cmd-K” to my Synology 218J, and it works fine, but after a reboot, I have to mount again, how can I set it to remember the mouting?

    Reply

    1. To make sure that your Mac automatically connects to your Synology 218J after a reboot, you can follow these steps:

      Open Finder on your Mac.

      Click on the “Go” menu and select “Connect to Server…” or simply press the “Command” and “K” keys on your keyboard.

      In the “Server Address” field, enter the IP address or hostname of your Synology 218J preceded by “smb://”. For example: smb://192.168.1.100

      Click on the “+” button to add this server to your list of favorites.

      Optional: If you want this server to be automatically mounted every time you start up your Mac, check the “Add to favorites” and “Reconnect at login” options.

      Click on the “Connect” button.

      Enter your Synology login credentials if prompted.

      Once connected, the Synology 218J server will appear on your desktop and in the Finder sidebar.

      Reply

  2. Hello

    I have a Qnap connected directly to my Mac via 2.5gbe. I have used static IP addresses and it works very well. My question, can I get access to the the internet using this method? My iMac is connected to the internet with wifi. The router is downstairs and therefore not accessible and using ethernet cables through the house is not practical.

    Reply