Set Up QNAP Network Attached Storage

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Note

• 28 Apr 2022: OpenVPN connection added.
• 25 Apr 2022: Created.

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Intro

A network attached storage is self complete with hard disks, ram and CPUs but without monitor screen to store files. It can be networked to computers and smartphones for viewing and file management.

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Connect from Windows on the same local area network

Open File Explorer on Windows computer connected to the same local area network of a properly set up NAS (setting up described later below)..

Click "Network" oOpen File Explorer on Windows con the folder tree to find that the NAS appears as a connected device.

Click its icon.

Enter the username, password and confirm remembering the credential for subsequent connections.

The shared folders should appear for use.

Map the top shared folder to a drive number for easy access.

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Connect from Windows from internet using OpenVPN

Install OpenVPN services if not already installed.

Copy the OpenVPN configuration file (obtained from the NAS after setting up as described later below) to Windows' C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config\.

Unlike others, this configuration file connection needs manual connect.

To start this manually every time after rebooting, or re-connect after loss of connection after sleep or hibernation:

• Click "^" on the bottom task bar to pop up the small window
• Right-click the OpenVPN GUI icon
• 
• Click the configuration file name, and click Connect
• 
• Enter user name and password for the first time.

A message will appear if connected successfully.

Open file manager and enter \\10.7.0.1 to access the files.

Map folders to drive names for easy access.

Do not manually connect for other automatically connected configuration files.

If not connected successfully due to insufficient number of TAP-Windows adapters, search Windows as follows, add a new adapter and connect again:

If connection is still not successful, try opening Windows' command prompt and execute ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew, and connect again.

Restart Windows as the last resort.

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Map drive for quick access

Define a drive to be listed in the file manager directory to represent the server:

• Open file manager and enter \\10.8.0.1 to access the vpn server.
• Right-click the desired folder.
• Click Map network drive.
• Choose a drive name to represent the folder.
• Click Finish.

 

Map the top shared folder to a drive number for easy access.

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Set up QVPN to connect from internet

On computers, download "QVPN Device Client" from https://www.qnap.com/en/utilities/networking.

Set up as follows:

Set as follows:

• The profile name can be decided by the user.
• The Username should be the user name registered on the NAS. He will be able to access folders and files owned by him or shared with him.
• The Pre-Shared Key should be the same as that set on the NAS (described later below).
• The VPN Port should be the external port of the router connecting the NAS which can be the default port of "443" but should preferably be another port.
• Note the selections of blue bullets.

Adjust "Connection" settings as follows, and select "Save" to connect:

Open Windows' File Explorer.

Click "Network" on the folder tree.

Enter "10.6.0.1" at the top to display the shared folders (if successful):

Map the folder to a drive number:

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Install new hardware

Insert hard disks in the storage case.

Connect to a computer through router.

Connect to power supply and switch on the NAS.

Download Qfinder Pro from Essentials | Utilities | QNAP on computer and install.

Use Qfinder Pro to search for the NAS on the same network.

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Update the firmware

Click the row showing the existence of the NAS to bring up the following to start smart installation:

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Initialise

Enter the user name and password of the first user to become the administrator to replace the default "admin":

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Create storage volume

Log in as the new administrator:

Click "+" against "No Volume" to create new volume:

Select "Change Type":

Select "Static volume" to use full disk size (backups are done elsewhere not in this NAS):

Unclick "Alert threshold" (optional).

Select "Set to Max".

 

A single volume without name is created.

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If create thick volume (not used)

If "Thick volume" was selected, click "+" against "Create Storage Pool":

Storage Pool 1 is created (not in the case of static volume):

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Create storage pool

Do not enable "Create SSD secure storage pool" if no SSD:

Click to select both hard disks:

Select "RAID 1" meaning two hard disks contain the same data and either disk can stand alone to function if another disk is faulty:

DataVol1 being created for static volume:

DataVol1 being created for thick volume:

Datavol 1 is created for thick volume:

Final result:

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Disable snapshot backup

No snapshot volume created yet:

Snapshots are used to capture the current data and their changes. Since backup of the data is done on other media, no snapshot is to be set here.

If snapshots are enabled and huge volume of data is imported to the hard disks for the first time, the snapshots taken during the long time of import will use up the snapshot space and may cause system hang and downgrading of the RAID system.

Unclick all three in green to disable "Smart Snapshot Space Management" and "Snapshot Directory" since the full disks are to be used for live data:

Select "OK":

View to ensure correct selections:

Scroll down the page to view the rest.

Select "Apply" to confirm:

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Set general settings

Change the default System port of "8080" to another port to reduce the chances of unauthorised access, change the external port of the router, apply proper port forwarding from the router port to the NAS port:

Set date and time format:

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Set up network

Select "Network & File Services" as shown on the left above.

Select "Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV":

Set Microsoft Networking as follows and select "Advanced Options" for connection by Windows computer on the same local area network::

Set as follows:

Set NFS Service as follows for mounting as a drive on linux computers::

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Set up shared folder

Select "File Station" on desktop:

Select "Create folder":

Select "Shared Folder":

Define folder name and access privileges:

Folder is created:

Edit shared folder permissions:

Click open "Advanced Permissions" menu:

Select "NFS host access" (select "Microsoft Networking hot access" later):

Select "Access right" and add "*" to enable all hosts and IPs:

Select "read / write", and "Apply":

Check and apply Microsoft Networking host access as follows:

Enable as follows:

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Set up QVPN service

Select "QVPN Service" on NAS desktop:

Enable QBelt service as follows:

Enable OpenVPN service as follows:

• Change the default VPN client IP pool of "10.8.x.x" to "10.7.x.x" to avoid conflict with that used by OpenVPN on the server (not NAS).
• Change the default Sever Port of "1191" to another port to reduce the chances of unauthorised access.
• Change the external port of the router to the same.
• Apply proper port forwarding from the router port to the NAS port:
• Download configuration file (from the left box) for use.

 

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Set up myQNAPcloud

myQNAPcloud is another way to access the NAS from the internet whereby an QNAP ID is given to link to the NAS through the internet.

QNAP ID can be used on computers and smartphones, and can connect to home computers without fixed external IP addresses.

However, myQNAPcloud requires access by administrators, and should not be used by non-administrators.

Select "myQNAPcloud" on the NAS:

Select 'Get Started":

Download and install "Let's Encrypt":

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