How to Add Dynu as a Service Provider on Synology NAS

Setting up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) on your Synology NAS can be incredibly useful, especially if you're looking to access your NAS remotely without needing to remember or deal with changing IP addresses. Dynu provides a free dynamic DNS service that isn't listed by default in Synology's DDNS service provider options, but you can still configure it with a few steps. Here's how you can do it:
Step 1: Register with Dynu

• Create an Account: If you haven't already, head over to Dynu.com and sign up for an account. Once registered, log in to your Dynu control panel.
• Add a Hostname: Go to the 'DDNS Services' section and add a hostname. This will be the domain name you'll use to access your NAS from outside your local network.

Step 2: Configure Dynu in Synology NAS

Option 1: Using the Customize Feature

1. Access Control Panel: Log into your Synology NAS, open the Control Panel.
2. Navigate to External Access: Click on External Access under the Connectivity section, then select DDNS.
3. Add a Custom Provider:
   • Click on Add, then select Customize.
   • Here, you will enter:
     • Service Provider: Enter Dynu.com.
   • Replace __HOSTNAME__, __USERNAME__, and __PASSWORD__ with your Dynu hostname, username, and password respectively.
   • External Address: Leave this blank as it will be automatically updated.
4. Save: After entering these details, click Save or OK.

Query URL: Use the following URL:

https://api.dynu.com/nic/update?hostname=__HOSTNAME__&username=__USERNAME__&myip=__MYIP__&password=__PASSWORD__

Option 2: SSH Method (If Option 1 Doesn't Work)
If your Synology NAS does not support adding a custom DDNS via the GUI, you might need to use SSH:

1. Enable SSH: Go to Control Panel > Terminal & SNMP, and enable SSH.
2. SSH Into Your NAS: Use an SSH client (like PuTTY for Windows or Terminal for macOS/Linux) to connect to your NAS.
3. Edit Configuration File:
5. Save and Exit: Press Esc, then type :wq! to save and exit.
6. Restart DDNS Service: After closing your SSH session, go back to the DDNS section in the Control Panel and restart the DDNS service or reboot your NAS.

Add the following entry:

[Dynu.com]
modulepath=DynDNS
queryurl=api.dynu.com/nic/update?hostname=__HOSTNAME__&username=__USERNAME__&myip=__MYIP__&password=__PASSWORD__

Open and edit ddns_provider.conf:

sudo vi ddns_provider.conf

Navigate to /etc.defaults/ddns_provider.conf with:

cd /etc.defaults

Step 3: Testing the Setup

• Test Connection: Within the DDNS settings on your NAS, there's often a Test Connection button. Use this to ensure your settings are correctly updating your IP with Dynu.
• Access Remotely: Try accessing your NAS using the Dynu hostname from an external network to verify if everything works.

Additional Tips

• Port Forwarding: Remember, for external access, you'll need to set up port forwarding on your router for the services you wish to use (like HTTP, HTTPS, etc.).
• Security: Always consider securing your NAS with a VPN or using strong passwords and possibly setting up two-factor authentication, especially if you're exposing it to the internet.

By following these steps, you should be able to integrate Dynu as a DDNS provider with your Synology NAS, enhancing your ability to remotely manage your network storage with ease. Remember, the exact steps might slightly differ based on your NAS model or DSM version, but the general process remains consistent. Enjoy your seamless remote access!