Home NAS Setup Checklist

Choose NAS platform (Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS, or custom)

Match features, apps, and your comfort with the vendor OS.

Determine drive count and RAID strategy

Balance capacity, redundancy, and future expansion.

Calculate usable capacity after RAID/parity

Estimate usable space and reserve room for growth.

Select RAID level (RAID1/5/6/10/SHR) based on needs

Prefer RAID6/SHR-2 for larger arrays, RAID1 for 2 drives.

Select NAS-rated drives (HDD/SSD)

Use NAS/enterprise drives (e.g., WD Red, IronWolf) for reliability.

Plan network placement and connectivity

Choose wired placement near router/switch and consider 2.5/10Gb needs.

Connect NAS to a gigabit (or faster) switch/router

Use Ethernet, avoid Wi‑Fi for primary NAS connectivity.

Reserve a static IP or DHCP reservation in the router

Prevents IP changes that break mounts and remote access.

Install drives into the NAS and power it on

Follow slot order and secure drives; label bays for future replacement.

Perform initial OS setup (DSM/TrueNAS): update and configure admin

Create admin account, set timezone, update firmware before adding data.

Create shared folders and enable required services (SMB/NFS/AFP)

Enable only needed protocols to reduce attack surface.

Set user and group permissions for shares

Use groups to manage access and apply least-privilege.

Create user accounts and, if needed, integrate directory services

Add users, configure home folders and SSH/SFTP access rules.

Enable snapshots and versioning for critical shares

Schedule regular snapshots to protect against accidental deletes or ransomware.

Configure automatic backups from PCs, Macs, and mobile devices

Use built-in backup tools or rsync/third-party agents on a schedule.

Configure secure remote access via VPN (avoid direct port forwarding)

Set up a VPN server or use a secure vendor remote tool with 2FA.

Harden NAS security: firewall, HTTPS, 2FA, and change defaults

Enable account lockouts, limit admin access, and install certificates.

Connect and configure a UPS for graceful shutdown

Test auto-shutdown settings so NAS safely powers off on prolonged outages.

Test restore from backup and verify local and remote access

Restore a file and confirm VPN/remote access works as expected.

Enable monitoring: SMART, drive health alerts, and schedule updates

Configure email/push alerts and set automatic or manual update windows.