Guides Archives - shadowandy

Log Center showing the file movements via WebDAV.

If you have been using DS Cloud to synchronise folders between your Android mobile phone and Synology NAS (on DSM6), you will be disappointed that DS Cloud is not supported on DSM7. The DS Cloud’s two-way folder synchronisation feature enabled me to free up storage space on the mobile by shifting dated files out of the Synology NAS sync-ed folder to another folder. This shift would appear as though the files were deleted on the server-side, prompting DS Cloud (on the mobile device) to delete off the files. It is a niffy trick to manage storage space on the mobile device but it no longer works on DSM7. Fortunately, I managed to replicate this two-way sync using FolderSync Android app and Synology’s WebDAV Server package. Continue reading the guide if you want to know how.

Guides Tech

July 22, 2021 Andy

Automate mounting of external USB storage for Synology Hyper Backup

I have the habit of having additional copies of back ups (partial and not full) from the Synology NAS to an external USB storage device like the Seagate Expansion Desktop. However, I want the external USB storage to be visible (i.e. mounted) to the Synology NAS only when the Hyper Backup task is running and not visible (i.e. unmounted) at other times with the hope of mitigating ill effects of ransomware attacks. I managed to achieve it using Task Scheduler and careful planning of backup windows for Hyper Backup tasks. I have put together this guide to show you how it is done.

Migrating the data from source NAS to destination NAS.

Guides Tech

May 29, 2021 Andy

Migrating to a new Synology NAS using Migration Assistant

Recently, I used the Migration Assistant to migrate data and system settings from the Synology DS1817+ to the DS1821+ NAS. Other than refreshing the NAS, a brand new set of 10TB hard drives replaced the existing 6TB. The migration was seamless and services remained available during the process.

Guides Life Tech

May 21, 2021 Andy

RMA – Brand-new APC BK650 UPS failed after 1.5 month

Around seven weeks back, I installed and wrote about adding the APC UPS backup power to my NAS. The brand-new APC UPS worked for around 1.5 month before it started beeping audibly and the replace battery indicator turned on. It is either a bad APC UPS product or my bad luck in getting a lemon. How was the APC UPS RMA process? It was borderline unacceptable.

Guides Tech

April 29, 2021 Andy

Qualifying hard disk drive for long term use

Do you check if the hard disk drive (HDD) is serviceable before using it? Nowadays, the emphasis on storage reliability has silently increased as more people are leveraging network attached storage (NAS) and external storage enclosures to back up their data. But what makes these storage solutions reliable? The building blocks – HDD! How do one ensure the new HDD is reliable? Personally, I qualify them using a Linux utility call badblocks and I recommend you do something similar too.

Guides Life Tech

September 25, 2018 Andy

Accessories that you should get for Nintendo Switch

I am on a shopping spree for Nintendo Switch’s accessories! Recently, I bought a Nintendo Switch and that started me on the quest for Switch’s accessories and games. Let me share on the loots that I have gotten so far. Well, you might need them too.

Guides Life

February 25, 2018 Andy

Returning items back to Lazada? It’s simple.

Lately, I am on a awesome shopping spree on Lazada Singapore. Buying Raspberry Pi 3 and 8Bitdo gaming controllers for my RetroPie retro gaming platform; buying Merries diapers for my two kiddos; and a bunch of discounted nonsensical stuffs. One of the items was sent wrongly by the seller – 8Bitdo Xtander. I purchased the version for 8Bitdo NES30 Pro but the one for 8Bitdo SNES30 Bluetooth controller was sent instead. I need to return this item for the correct product and that is when I realised that Lazada Singapore’s return process is so darn simple.

Guides Investing Life

January 25, 2018 Andy

Applying for SGS Bond using SRS Fund

Little did I expect that applying for Singapore Government Securities (SGS) bond issues using funds from Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) account is a lengthy process filled with question marks and confused looks from bank staffs. In fact, it is just involves filling up a two-page form but it took me almost two hours at DBS Bedok branch. I reached there at 4.10pm, was attended to at 4.30pm and only left the place at 5.45pm on a Thursday.

Guides Reviews

December 8, 2016 Andy

Synology DiskStation DS916+ Review

The Synology DS916+ is the latest addition to Synology’s “Plus” series of NAS appliances. It is for IT professionals and small businesses who wants an affordable four-bay network storage with growth in the future. With the Synology DX513 expansion unit, the DS916+ becomes a nine-bay NAS that boasts 90TB of raw storage (9 x 10TB) with great data protection features.