Can I Connect to Synology NAS via DDNS on VPN Connection?
Many Synology NAS devices users often wonder about accessing their units remotely via a VPN connection. VPNs provide a secure way to access your network remotely. However, they can complicate direct access through Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS). Walk through the blog to deeply understand how you can connect to your Synology NAS via DDNS while using a VPN.
How Does VPN Affect the Remote Access to a Device?
VPNs are crucial for securing connections between devices and networks over the internet. When your Synology NAS is connected to a VPN, it typically uses the VPN server’s IP address and encrypts all traffic between the NAS and the VPN server. This setup enhances security by shielding data from potential interruption and modification.
Is It Possible to Access Synology NAS via DDNS?
DDNS services allow you to access your network using a domain name (e.g., yournas.synology.me) that automatically updates to reflect changes in your dynamic IP address. However, when your NAS is connected to a VPN, it can be assigned a private IP address by the VPN server, making it inaccessible via the DDNS domain directly through find.synology. This is because the DDNS service will resolve to your public IP address, which might not correspond to your NAS’s VPN-assigned private IP address.
Methods to Access Your Synology NAS via DDNS
Use Split Tunneling
Some VPN configurations support split tunneling, where only specific traffic (like NAS-related traffic) is routed through the VPN, while other traffic accesses the internet directly. By configuring split tunneling, you can ensure that DDNS requests for your NAS go through the direct internet connection rather than the VPN, thus resolving to the correct public IP address.
Port Forwarding
Configure port forwarding on your router to forward specific ports to your NAS’s local IP address. This method allows external DDNS requests to reach your NAS directly through your router, bypassing the VPN tunnel.
Set VPN on Individual Devices
If accessing the NAS from specific devices, consider installing a VPN client directly on those devices. This way, only the device’s traffic is routed through the VPN, leaving other devices (and potentially DDNS requests) free to access the NAS through its DDNS domain.
How to Set Up DDNS on Synology NAS?
Connecting to your Synology NAS via DDNS while using a VPN requires careful configuration to ensure both security and accessibility. By understanding how VPNs and DDNS interact and employing techniques like split tunneling or port forwarding, you can effectively manage remote access to your NAS without compromising security. Always test your setup thoroughly and stay careful about security practices to safeguard your data and network integrity. With the right setup, accessing your Synology NAS remotely via DDNS becomes a seamless experience, enhancing productivity and convenience without sacrificing security.
1. Enable DDNS Service
Navigate to Control Panel > External Access > DDNS and configure your DDNS provider settings Ensure your NAS updates the DDNS provider with its current IP address.
2. Check VPN Configuration
Verify your VPN server on Synology NAS to understand whether it’s configured to route all traffic or specific traffic through the VPN tunnel. Adjust settings if needed to enable split tunneling or to exclude NAS-related traffic from the VPN.
3. Test Connectivity
After configuring DDNS and your VPN settings, test remote access by accessing your NAS using the DDNS domain name (e.g., yournas.synology.me) from outside your local network. Ensure that the connection is secure and reliable.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up DDNS with a VPN-connected Synology NAS can be challenging. By following the guidelines outlined here, you can achieve secure and reliable remote access to your NAS, ensuring that you can manage your data and applications from anywhere with ease.