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How to increase the storage space of a Synology NAS with a single disk (DS118/ DS120J)

Increasing the capacity of a Synology NAS that has multiple disks is very easy. Indeed, it is enough to remove a RAID disk, to replace it with a larger capacity disk, to repair the RAID.
This manipulation is to be done as many times as there is disk to change.
Once all the disks have been swapped, it is enough to increase the disk space of the storage group.

How do I do this for a Synology NAS with only one disk such as the DS118, the DS120J or the DS115J?

The only solution I found is to backup the data and programs to an external drive and then import them from the hard drive.
This is done in 3 phases:

  • Backup system data, applications and configuration.
  • Remove the hard drive to put the larger capacity one.
  • Import data, applications and system configuration.

Installing the Hyper Backup application

For the backup, we will use the Synology Hyper Backup application.
On your Synology:
1- Launch the Package Center
2- Type back in the search bar
3- Click on « Install Hyper Backup »

Installing the Hyper Backup application
Installing the Hyper Backup application

Configuring the Hyper Backup application

Once Hyper Backup is launched, we will create a data backup task via +

Creating a Data Backup Job with Hyper Backup
Creating a Data Backup Job with Hyper Backup
We choose "Local disk & USB", we do Next
We choose « Local disk & USB », we do Next
Here in the shared folder, one will look for the usb hard drive "usbshare1-1"
Here in the shared folder, one will look for the usb hard drive « usbshare1-1 »
Here, we choose what we want to save
Here, we choose what we want to save
Here, check all applications and Next
Here, check all applications and Next

Saving the configuration

During this time, we will search for Update and Restore in the control panel:

Saving the configuration
Saving the configuration
  1. Select Update and Restore
  2. Go to the Configuration Backup tab
  3. Click the Save Configuration button

The advantage of doing this is to keep all users, groups, shared folders, etc.
A backup file will be generated, it is saved on the PC.

Then, all we have to do is wait until the backup is complete.
When we’re done, we’re gonna turn off the NAS and then we’re gonna be on the table swapping hard drives.

Replacing Hard Drives

The backup ended well, we will swap the disks, release the one of 2 TB to replace one of 4 TB:

Disassembly of the old 2 TB hard drive
Disassembly of the old 2 TB hard drive
Mounting the new 4 TB hard drive
Mounting the new 4 TB hard drive

There is nothing difficult or complicated, we unscrew the old one to screw the new one.
For the rest, we will continue on the PC by fetching the NAS with the downloadable Synology Assistant software in the download center of the official Synology website.

NAS configuration and configuration

Once the new disk is mounted, the NAS is restarted and the Synology Assistant software is launched:

NAS detection on the network using Synology Assistant software
NAS detection on the network using Synology Assistant software

Launch a browser to type in the displayed address and connect to the NAS.
We meet here to configure our DiskStation Manager (DSM) :

Synology NAS Installation Screen
Synology NAS Installation Screen
Launch of the installation
Launch of the installation
DiskStation Manager Installation In Progress (DSM)
DiskStation Manager Installation In Progress (DSM)
Creating a server name and administrator account
Creating a server name and administrator account
QuickConnect Setup Step
QuickConnect Setup Step
(omit in our demonstration)
Recommended Package Configuration Step
Recommended Package Configuration Step
(omit in our demonstration)
DSM Final Configuration Step
DSM Final Configuration Step

Importing the configuration

Here we are on the graphical interface of the NAS, we accept all the conditions of use and we go immediately in the panel of
configuration to import configuration:

NAS Graphical Interface (DSM)
NAS Graphical Interface (DSM)
  1. Control Panel
  2. Update and Restoration
  3. Configuration Backup Tab
  4. Restore configuration
  5. View on NAS storage: 4 TB hard drive is effective

Then, we will look for the downloaded file earlier to import the configuration of the old hard disk:

Importing the configuration
Importing the configuration

Data restoration

Once the configuration has been restored, you only need to install Hyperbackup to restore the data (see above).
Once installed, it is launched:

Restoring Data Backed Up to External Hard Drive
Restoring Data Backed Up to External Hard Drive
Restore from existing repositories
Restore from existing repositories
Local Disk & USB
Local Disk & USB
Selecting the "usbshare1" external hard drive
Selecting the « usbshare1 » external hard drive
Restore System Configuration
Restore System Configuration
Selection of shared folders to restore
Selection of shared folders to restore

We restore all our applications and apply.
Now, we will wait until the restoration is complete to validate that everything is good:

Data restoration and applications in progress
Data restoration and applications in progress

The restoration went well, we see that all the statutes are « successful »:

Restoration completed
Restoration completed

Conclusion

Attention, after verification, only the network and ftp settings were not transferred.
However, at the application level, the import went well from one disk to another, the licenses were restored.
Now we are on a 4 TB hard drive.

This article is now finished, thank you for reading it and invite you to leave a comment!
See you soon 🙂

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Yves KLINGER

Passionné d'informatique depuis plus de 20 ans, touche à tout, j'essaie d'expliquer l'informatique pour qu'il soit compris par le plus grand nombre et pour que vous puissiez vous dépanner à bas cout.

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