How to Use VPN on Synology NAS

We all want to secure our remote access for daily needs & projects. But how to get it done is a big question. Using a VPN this problem can be easily solved as it creates an encrypted tunnel to secure network connection.  Acronym for Virtual Private Network (VPN) hides IP addresses allowing users to navigate to sites without risking personal data.

VPN establishes a secure connection between the server and the user by providing a safe passage to navigate the websites. It also unblocks streaming sites. In short, it is a great way to ensure your network connection stays private on a public network.

What is NAS?

NAS is the acronym for Network Attached Storage – a storage device connected to a network without any monthly subscription fee. This is an established connection to our office or home network so that the documents saved on it can be accessed effectively. NAS services are accessed with the use of the internet and it opens a gateway to share the documents with family and friends. But sometimes the NAS service is at risk, to strengthen its security using a VPN while accessing the files and documents is recommended.

Moreover, Synology NAS is capable of acting as a VPN client and connecting to servers.

How to set up a VPN?

• Login to your Synology NAS.

• Open the control panel then select Network> Network Interface. 

• Click on create 

• Now click on create a VPN profile

• Select OpenVPN (via importing a .ovpn file) > Next
  
  
• Enter the following:
  

Profile name: name for your connection

Username: OpenVPN Username

Password: OpenVPN Password

Import .ovpn file: browse the hard drive for the downloaded file from your account page

• Click Next and follow on-screen instructions.
  
  

This is an Open VPN that is used to browse the documents securely among the authorized people.

Configuring The Registry

In addition to this, we suggest configuring the registry. To do so , follow these steps:

1. In the Windows search bar type regedit,> press enter key.
   
   
2. Navigate to “Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\PolicyAgent.”

3. Right-click PolicyAgent,> New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

4. Type “AssumeUDPEncapsulationContextOnSendRule” > Enter.

5. Right-click AssumeUDPEncapsulationContextOnSendRule > Modify.

6. Type “2” in the Value data box > choose Hexadecimal >OK. As shown in the screenshot below:

8. Exit Registry Editor and reboot Windows.

Set up PPTP and L2TP/IPSec VPN Connections

a. Press Windows + I.

b. This will open Windows Settings.

c. Here click Network & Internet > VPN. Click Add a VPN connection.

d. Fill out the respective fields.

e. Save the VPN profile.

f. Click the VPN profile you created > Connect. When connected, you will be able to securely access resources shared within the Synology NAS’s local area network.

Configure Gateway Settings for VPN Clients

a. In the Windows search bar type Control Panel > open it.

b. Next click, Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter and settings.

c. Right-click the VPN connection > Properties.

d. Click the Networking tab> select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > click the Properties button.

e. Click Advanced.

f. Under the IP Settings, tab check mark the Use default gateway on remote network > Ok.

That’s it you can now use VPN on Synology NAS.

Conclusion: – Now browsing NAS has become more effective with the use of VPN because it will protect our documents from cybercriminals by providing a safe passage to browse them. In this article, we have discussed how to use a VPN to navigate to the NAS service. Let us know about your experience of using the NAS Synology VPN in the comment box below.