Accessing Photos and Pictures on Synology Diskstation NAS

Overview

Information and configuration about accessing and viewing image files on Synology DiskStation NAS.

Configuration

Photo Station

Install Photo Station via the DSM Package Manager.

Photo Station can only access files that are placed under the /photos directory. N.B. The /photos directory is on the same level as the /shared directory, not under it.

Accessing images outside the /photos directory

The goal is to access images outside the /photos directory without having to resort to copying them into the /photos directory.

1. Create a symbolic link in the /photos directory that links to the other directory.
   1. Enable SSH connections to the NAS.
      1. DSM > Control Panel > Terminal & SNMP > Terminal tab > Enable SSH Service
      2. Now it's possible to SSH (as admin) to the DiskStation's IP using login credentials of one of DSM user accounts.
      3. cd /volume1/photos
      4. ln -s /volume1/shared/some_other_directory link_alias - make sure these symbolic links are owned by admin
2. Re-index the media files.
   1. DSM > Control Panel > Media Library > Media Library tab > Re-Index button
      DSM > Control Panel > System group > Indexing Service > Media Indexing tab > Media Indexing group > Re-Index button

iPad

1. Install the DS Photo+ app.
2. Configure settings to connect to the DiskStation (IP/address, user, password)
3. Once logged in, everything under /photos on the DiskStation should be accessible.

Keywords

photos, photographs, picture reference, images, pictures, cloud, synology, diskstation, NAS, DSM, Photo Station, iPad