Package Center

Easily install and update many applications via Snology's Package Center to dramatically boost your NAS's usability. You only have to browse through all available applications, picking those you want before installing them. You can also manually upload and install an application.


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 in the pages below.


Package Center's various settings are depicted in the screenshots above. You can, for instance, enable an option to also see the beta versions of these applications, add other package sources, enable auto-updates, etc.


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

Surveillance Station 6

Today's NAS servers offer many more features than simple data storage and backup. One of the most important probably is the surveillance role they can play if combined with the software and IP camera(s). Please note that not all Synology NAS servers support the same number of IP cameras because of differences in hardware. The DS414slim supports up to eight cameras and comes with two free licenses. You will have to purchase additional licenses if you need to use more than two IP camera via the Surveillance Station application. Each license will set you back around $50.

Surveillance Station supports over 2700 IP cameras from 75 brands. You can find the compatibility list here. Its Live View mode supports up to 64 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) and Mac ones 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 via 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.


You can set various camera options in this panel.


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


Pair Visual Station up 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 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 DS414slim comes with two free camera licenses 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 recorded footage via Timeline and calendar support. Its calendar allows you to pick a date, which displays any recordings taken on that day. Timeline allows you to sort through videos by mode as each mode has a corresponding color code.


The Surveillance Station's options.


Should you need it, there is a help for the Surveillance Station.


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


Download the Surveillance Device Pack from Synology's Download Center for enhanced camera support.