When you use a Synology device for file sharing, you may be faced with a choice of different protocols.Samba This is the Windows File Sharing Protocol (CIFS) implemented on Unix systems. It performs well in a local area network (LAN) environment, with no issues when transferring small files. However, when transferring large files—especially when playing high-definition Blu-ray discs—stuttering may occur, resulting in a “slideshow-like experience.” This is primarily because Samba’s transfer speeds are relatively slow and cannot meet the requirements for smooth playback of large files.
In contrast,NFS(Network File System) offers significantly faster transfer speeds and can smoothly play high-definition source videos without stuttering or lag. However, a drawback of NFS is that it supports fewer codecs, and in some cases, Chinese directory names may appear as garbled characters.
How to Enable Samba (SMB) and NFS Services on Synology:
-
Enable SMB(For Windows network shares):
-
Open the Synology main menu and go to Console > Archival Services > SMB。
-
Enable SMB After setting up the service, you can access files on your Synology device via a Windows network share.
-
-
Enable NFS(For Unix/Linux network shares):
-
Open the Synology main menu and go to Console > Archival Services > NFS。
-
Enable NFS Once the service is set up, you can access files on Synology from devices that support the NFS protocol and enjoy faster transfer speeds.
-
With the right protocol configuration, you can achieve the best file-sharing experience on Synology devices based on your needs.
Related Reading:
Should Windows users prioritize SMB or NFS?
Most Windows users should prioritize SMB: it is natively supported by the system, has a comprehensive permissions model, and is better suited for office documents and multi-user sharing. NFS is commonly used in Linux, virtualization, and certain media player scenarios; the difference in speed is not absolute, and actual performance depends on the network card, disk, protocol version, file size, and client implementation.
| Project | SMB | NFS |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Usability | Native support, recommended | Some versions require the client component to be enabled |
| Account Permissions | Tightly integrated with Synology users and groups | Relies more on the host/IP to UID/GID mapping |
| Typical Applications | File Sharing, Office, Media Library | Linux, Virtualization, Specific Players |
| Safety Recommendations | Use SMB2/SMB3 and disable SMB1 | Restrict the LAN subnets to which access is permitted |
Mounting an SMB Shared Folder in Windows
- Enable SMB in DSM under “Control Panel → File Services → SMB,” and set the minimum protocol to SMB2 or higher.
- Grant the minimum necessary permissions to specified users in the “Shared Folders” section.
- Entering text in the Windows File Explorer address bar
\NAS-IP Shared Folder Name。 - For long-term use, select “This PC → Map Network Drive” and save the correct NAS credentials.
How do you troubleshoot when the speed isn't optimal?
- First, use an Ethernet cable to test and confirm that the client, switch, and NAS have all negotiated the expected speed.
- Test sequential read and write operations using a single large file; avoid relying solely on a large number of small files to assess network performance.
- Check whether hard drive health checks, RAID reconstruction, background indexing, and antivirus scans are consuming I/O.
- Do not re-enable SMB1 for the sake of compatibility with older devices; it is outdated and poses a security risk.
Security Perimeter
SMB and NFS are suitable for trusted local area networks and should not be directly exposed to the public internet. For remote access, please use secure networking methods such as VPN or Tailscale, and create separate accounts for different users to avoid long-term use of administrator accounts.
Original article by Tech.laowang. If you wish to repost this article, please cite the source: https://techlaowang.com/en/naswin10smbnfs/
