Have you ever been traveling or on a business trip and couldn’t access your favorite streaming services or websites? It’s a common and frustrating problem—and one you can solve without paying for a monthly VPN subscription.
If you own a Synology NAS, you can turn it into your own private, secure VPN server—absolutely free. I’ll walk you through how to do it step-by-step so you can access all your favorite shows and websites from anywhere in the world, with total peace of mind.
Step 1: Install the VPN Server Package on Your NAS
The first thing you need to do is enable the VPN server on your Synology NAS. It’s a simple process that anyone can follow.
First, log in to your NAS’s admin page, which is called DSM (DiskStation Manager). You can access it through your web browser.
Once you’re in the DSM, head to the Package Center and search for the “VPN Server” package. Install it, and your NAS will be ready to act as a VPN server.
To make sure you can connect to your NAS easily from the outside, I highly recommend setting up a DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System). This service links your dynamic IP address to a static domain name. That way, even if your NAS’s IP address changes, you can always connect using the same easy-to-remember address. You can set up a free DDNS by going to Control Panel → External Access in the DSM. If you’ve already done this, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Choose Your VPN Protocol: OpenVPN vs. L2TP/IPSec
Synology NAS supports several VPN protocols, but the two most common are OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec. It’s important to understand the differences so you can choose the right one for you.
If you want the simplest setup, start with L2TP/IPSec. Open the VPN Server package on your NAS, enable L2TP/IPSec, and set a Pre-shared key. This key acts as a password for your VPN connection, so make sure to keep it secure. You’ll also need to forward UDP ports 500, 1701, and 4500 on your router and NAS firewall. This creates the path for your external devices to connect to your NAS’s VPN server.
Step 3: Troubleshooting Firewall Blocks
What if you’ve set up L2TP/IPSec, but you get a “Security Layer Error” when you try to connect? If the connection works fine on your phone’s mobile data, the problem isn’t your NAS or router. It’s almost certainly a firewall blocking the VPN ports, which is common on public or work networks.
To get around this, you need to use a port that’s never blocked. The best way to do this is to switch to OpenVPN, which is known for its strong security and flexible port options.
Enable OpenVPN in your NAS’s VPN Server settings. Set the protocol to TCP and use port 443, which is commonly used for HTTPS and is rarely blocked by firewalls. If you run into conflicts, you can use a different, non-standard port (like 20482), but start with 443 first.
Don’t forget to adjust your router’s port forwarding to match your new settings (e.g., port 20482 and TCP protocol). This will ensure your OpenVPN connection works from outside your home network.
Step 4: The Final Hurdles: Routing and DNS Leaks
Even after you’ve successfully connected with OpenVPN, you might still find that some websites are blocked. This is likely due to split tunneling and DNS leaks. Fixing these two issues will force all your traffic through your VPN tunnel to your NAS at home.
Once you’ve successfully completed all these steps, all your internet traffic—even from a public Wi-Fi network—will be securely routed through your NAS back home. You’re no longer at the mercy of network firewalls. Now you can access all your favorite streaming services and websites without any hassle.
Why pay for a VPN every month when you can set up a secure, stable server on the NAS you already own? Not only will you save money, but you’ll also have a much more secure connection since your personal data stays on your own server at home, not with a third-party provider. So go ahead—start enjoying your shows and live the digital life you want, for free!