Can I connect to Synology NAS DS 215j directly over ethernet cable while NAS in DHCP mode

Question

I want to connect directly to my NAS with ethernet cable and it doesn't work. I have reset the NAS on reset button a few times but i can't connect to it... I tried with static IP from my NIC and with Auto settings but nothing works.....is it somehow possible to connect to NAS directly out of the box? How??

Answer 1

Actually it is possible dedicated software:

1. The first time, the NAS is configured with DHCP enabled on the LAN1 interface.

   1.1. Using a router, such as an ISP Internet Box, we can connect directly to it with a Laptop and setup it. DHCP enabled will allow the NAS to act as a router, like your internet Box, and the laptop will connect to it as a client.

   1.2. Without a router, it is still possible to connect, but you must configure a DHCP server on the laptop. Free software exists such as this one or this one. Here is a complete tutorial to perform this step.

2. After configuration, LAN1 is usually setup with DHCP disabled (see pic below). So that we can use an Ethernet cable to connect the NAS directly to the router, an Internet provider Wifi box for instance, and the NAS will act as a client to this box. While on Wifi at home, I use the IP below to connect to the http dsm tool/ssh serveur/web/etc.

3. My recommandation is to plug a second Ethernet cable in the LAN2 port and to activate DHCP. This will allow to connect any laptop/PC to it directly and benefit from high transfer rates, but we need the cable. In this mode I use the IP below to connect to the web interface.

To change the configuration of the network ports, go to the DSM interface, Control Panel, Network, select the port and Edit.

Answer 2

This is how it got it to work for me with an ethernet cable to my DS214play

1) disconnect wifi

2) Let windows search the network

3) Check network neighbourhood, it should be there

After finding the NAS I could connect the Wifi and still use the NAS through the nerwork name.

Answer 3

I have connected my computer directly to the NAS through ethernet cable, without router, modem or hub. I have configured a fixed IP adress on the computer like 169.254.0.10 / 255.255.0.0. The NAS has assigned an IP like this in automatic mode. Then I have run the Synology Assistant program and I clicked the "Search" button and it has recognized it without any problem.

Sorry my poor english!

Answer 4

I just bought DS218+, after setup etc, I connect my NAS to mac (Sierra 10.12) with LAN cable (using LAN to USBC converter), and my laptop recoqnize it as external HDD. No setting needed at all

I tried this method because I need to transfer mac photos library (100GB), it takes forever using wifi.

Answer 5

When you buy a NAS box, by default it is in DHCP mode.

Yes, you can connect the Synology NAS directly using the wired LAN but without a router. Actually, the router is meant for routing between multiple systems and also provides the IP addresses to connected devices using the inbuilt DHCP server.

However, When you connect the NAS box directly using LAN cable to the PC; both system and your NAS box needs a unique IP address in order to communicate with each other. But unfortunately, the DHCP server is not there.

Now, here we can use an open source software called DHCP server for Windows. You have to download this software, install it and create a self-hosted DHCP server on your own computer to get IP addresses for your Windows system and connected NAS BOX. This will provide an IP address to both of them and the result you get; your NAS box starts communicating directly with your Windows PC using ethernet RJ45 LAN cable. This not only applicable for Synology but also on any type of NAS box.

Here is the step by step guide including screenshots to solve your problem: How to connect Synology NAS directly to pc without router & external DHCP

Answer 6

Elaborating on Mountrix's answer above...

Take your old router (e.g. BT HH5) Plug in the power. Note: you do NOT need to connect it to an active DSL line. Connect NAS to Ethernet Port 1 Connect Laptop to Ethernet Port 2 This will allow your NAS to get the old IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.xxx), and your laptop to access it.

Worked for me. thank guys.

Answer 7

The answer is NO! It is not possible to connect to Synology NAS directly via ethernet cable if it's in DHCP mode... When NAS is reset, it's automatically set to DHCP mode and it needs to be connected to modem or router with DHCP enabled so it can get an IP address. And then it is possible to connect to NAS and set the static IP address. Both PC and NAS need to have static IP addresses on the same IP range. Only then it is possible to connect NAS and PC directly with ethernet cable and that's it

UPDATE:

So I will have to correct myself a little bit.... The right answer would be NO (if you don't install some special software on your Laptop/PC that mocks a DHCP server).