Hey so this is a new page that covers some basics that I get questions about fairly often and applies to most guides.
Container Manager or Docker?
The version of Diskstation Manager (DSM) you have installed on your Synology will define which Package for Docker itself is available to you.
Each of my guides has the appropriate icon on its featured image, so you know if you are following the correct one for your NAS.
For DSM versions 7.1 and below the package will be called Docker and have this icon – It can be installed via Package Center.
Container Manager is the new UI for Docker on DSM7.2 and above. It received a number of improvements over the previous Docker package including the ability to use Docker Compose from the UI. It can be installed via Package Center.
Memory Limitations and Performance Issues
Synology generally includes enough memory out of the box to get basic DSM features running and NAS file serving duties. For example the 220+ and 224+ come with a paltry 2GB of memory.
Once you start moving into ‘server’ duties with additional containers and packages you will hit memory limits very quickly. Even if DSM is showing X% of free memory it will begin using swap on disk and killing services when everything is competing for it. This leads to extremely poor performance!
I would recommend upgrading to an absolute minimum of 8 GB of total RAM which will give you overall improvements. If you can afford to go higher to 16 GB or above.
Recommended Memory
This list below is gathered directly from our Discord group and the /r/synology community spreadsheet! Is another great resource!
Ensure you use the exact model number and not a variant, this list is updated as new submissions come in. (Last Update 28th June 2024)
Items with a strikethrough have had mixed reports of working so not recommended.
24 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 224+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Timetec | 1x16GB 76HN26NUS1R |
| 224+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Timetec | 1x16GB 76TT26NUS2R8-16G |
23 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 923+ | DSM 7.2 | Kingston | 1x16GB KSM26SED8/16HD |
| 423+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x8GB CT8G4SFRA266.C8FR |
| 423+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Timetek | 1x8GB 76HN26NUS1R |
| 423+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Timetek | 1x16GB 76TT26NUS2R8-16G |
| 423+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x8GB 8ATF1G64HZ-3G2J1 |
CT16G4SFRA32A | |||
| 423+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x8GB CT8G4SF824A.M8FR |
CT16G4SFRA32A.M16FR | |||
| 723+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 2x16GB CT2K16G4SFRA32A |
21 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1821+ | 7.2 | Kingston | 2x16GB KSM26SES8/16ME |
| 1821+ | 7.2 | Crucial (Micron) | 2x16GB Kit MTA9ASF2G72HZ-3G2B2 |
| 1821+ | 7.2.1-69057 Update 4 | Team Group | 1x16GB TED416G2666C19-S01 |
| 1821+ | 7.2.1-69057 Update 4 | Timetec | 1x16GB 79TT26EUS2R8-16G |
| RS1221+ | 7.2 | Kingston | 2x16GB KSM26SED8/16MR |
20 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1520+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x16GB Kit CT16G4SFD8266.C16FN |
| 1520+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Samsung | 1x16GB Kit M471A2K43EB1-CTD |
| 920+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial | 1x8GB Kit CT8G4SFRA266.M8FRS |
| 920+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial | 1x16GB Kit CT16G4SFD824A.C16FP |
| 920+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial | 1x16GB Kit CT16G4SFRA32A (Mixed results try other sticks) |
| 920+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial | 1x16GB CT16G4SFD8266 |
| 920+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial | 1x16GB CT16G4S266M |
| 920+ | DSM 7.2 | Samsung | 1x16GB M471A2K43CB1-CTD |
| 720+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Kingston | 1x16GB KCP432SD8/16 |
| 220+ | DSM 7.2 | Kingston | 1x16GB KCP426SD8/16 |
| 220+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x8GB CT8G4SFRA266.C8FP |
| 220+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x16GB CT16G4SFD8266.M16FRS |
19 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1019+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 2x8GB CT102464BF160B.C16 |
18 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 918+ | DSM 7.2 | Samsung | 1x4GB M471B5173QH0-YK0 |
| 918+ | DSM 7.2 | SK Hynix | 1x4GB D3SH56162XL10AA |
| 718+ | DSM 7.2 | Crucial (Micron) | 2x8GB CT2KIT102464BF160B |
| 218+ | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x8GB CT102464BF160B |
16 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 416play | DSM 7.2.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 1x8GB CT102464BF160B.M16 |
15 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1815+ | DSM 7.1.1 | Crucial (Micron) | 2x8GB CT102464BF160B.M16FP |
| 1515+ | DSM 6.x | Crucial (Micron) | 2x8GB CT2KIT102464BF160B |
12 Series
| Model No | DSM Version Tested | Manufacturer | Module Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 412+ | DSM 6.x | Kingston | 1x4GB KCP313SS8/4 |
I got the 923+ (a new one for your list), and am quickly finding out that Rank is a big deal for Synology. Here’s a nice resource I found: https://nascompares.com/ram/synology-ds923-compatible-ram-upgrade/
Yeah, very true — that’s why I am trying to stick with the models people have tried and tested 🙂