Package Center

Easily install and update many applications via Package Center to greatly boost the usability of the NAS. You only have to browse through all available applications, picking those you want before installing them with a few mouse clicks.


Synology offers many applications. All applications are grouped into the following categories: Backup, Multimedia, Business, Security, and Utilities. We will take a look at the most important applications on the next few pages.


Every application you download and install over Package Center will be available in the Main Menu. You can place shortcuts of those you use frequently on the DSM desktop.

Surveillance Station 6.2

The surveillance capabilities of modern NAS servers are becoming increasingly more important and interesting, which is why we decided to dedicate a large section to Synology's Surveillance Center. Not all Synology NAS servers support the same number of IP cameras because of differences in hardware. The DS214se supports up to five cameras and comes with one free license. If you need to use more than one IP camera via the Surveillance Station application, you will have to purchase additional licenses. Each license will set you back around $50.

Surveillance Station supports over 2300 IP cameras from 63 brands. You can find the compatibility list here. Its Live View mode supports up to 49 channels @ 1080p on a single Live View display and also features Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) and digital zoom support. There is even the option to add an e-map of the area where the IP cameras are installed, and you can take snapshots of any of them. Other features include invisible watermarking, which can be validated through Synology's Evidence Integrity Authenticator, iOS and Android support, time slicing, and smart search. Another interesting characteristic of Surveillance Station is that it can, as it utilizes Synology Web Object, operate in most popular Windows browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer) without Java and with Windows Active Directory and LDAP for improved permissions control.


Before you exploit the Surveillance Station's capabilities, you have to install it by first downloading it through Package Center. NTP (Network Time Protocol) service will automatically be enabled since it is required by the app.


You will first have to set your IP camera(s) up. We used a Foscam FI8910W, a fully supported camera, which made setting it up fast and easy.


The IP Camera menu lists all active IP cameras, with their IP addresses and editing options.


Pair Visual Station with a Synology NAS.


The System tab allows you to set various notification events and alert types, add e-maps of the area(s) the camera(s) cover, enable the Central Management System (CMS) through which you can monitor and manage surveillance deployments of all scales, add additional camera licenses, and access the log.


As we already mentioned, the DS214se comes with one free camera license and supports up to eight cameras.


Live View allows you to monitor and control all IP cameras in real time. The Live View Analytics feature even allows you to set up real-time event tracking, which includes the following: motion detection, missing object, foreign object, camera occlusion, focus lost, and no-idle zone.


Surveillance Station allows you to locate actual recorded footage via Timeline and calendar support. The calendar lets you pick a date, which displays any recordings taken on that day. Timeline allows you to sort through videos by mode as each mode comes with a corresponding color code.


The Surveillance Station's options.


Synology got you covered if you need help with Surveillance Station.


The above screenshots cover some Live View Analytics settings, along with various camera optimization and patrol settings.