Backup QNAP to Synology: Full Guide

Yes, you can back up a QNAP NAS to a Synology NAS, and the most reliable way to do it is with the built-in rsync protocol, which both systems support natively. This guide walks you through the setup on both devices, explains the alternatives, and covers the common pitfalls so you can get a scheduled, versioned backup running without third-party software.

Why Back Up Between Two NAS Devices

A NAS is not a backup by itself. If it sits in the same room, a fire, flood, or theft takes out your only copy of the data. Backing up to a second NAS—especially one at a different location—protects against hardware failure, ransomware, and accidental deletion. Using a Synology as the target for your QNAP is a common choice because both are Linux-based and support the same network protocols, so no special licenses are required.

The two protocols you will use are:

• rsync – a command-line tool that synchronizes files and directories between two machines over SSH. It only transfers changed parts of files, so subsequent backups are fast.
• Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS) – QNAP’s built-in backup application that can push data to a remote rsync server. It provides a GUI, scheduling, and versioning options.

Both are free and already installed on your devices. You do not need to purchase additional apps.

Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before you start, make sure both NAS devices are on the same network or reachable over the internet (for off-site backups). You will need:

• Admin access to both QNAP and Synology.
• The IP addresses of both devices (find them in the router’s DHCP client list or in the NAS control panel).
• A shared folder on the Synology where the backup will be stored.
• Network ports open: 22 (SSH) for rsync, or 873 if you use rsync without SSH (not recommended).

If you plan to back up over the internet, set up a VPN or use Synology QuickConnect with a reverse proxy—do not expose the SSH port directly to the internet.

Step-by-Step: Configure Synology as the Backup Target

First, enable the rsync service on the Synology so it can receive incoming connections.

1. Log in to Synology DSM and open Control Panel → File Services.
2. Go to the rsync tab and check Enable rsync service.
3. Choose the port (default 873) and decide whether to allow rsync over SSH. For simplicity, leave SSH unchecked.
4. Go to Control Panel → Shared Folder and create a new folder, e.g., qnap-backup. This is where the data will land.
5. In the same section, select the folder, click Edit, go to the Permissions tab, and grant read/write access to the user you will use for the backup (create a dedicated user if needed).
6. Go to Control Panel → User & Group, create a user (e.g., backupuser) and set a strong password. Add this user to the administrators group or give it explicit permissions on the shared folder.

Note: If you want to use rsync over SSH, you must also enable SSH in Control Panel → Terminal & SNMP. This is more secure but requires more setup.

Step-by-Step: Configure QNAP as the Backup Source

Now set up the QNAP to push data to the Synology.

1. Log in to QNAP QTS and open Hybrid Backup Sync (found in the App Center if not pre-installed).
2. Click Backup in the left menu, then click Create Backup Job.
3. Choose Remote NAS as the destination type.
4. Under Server Type, select rsync.
5. Enter the Synology’s IP address, the port (873), and the username/password you created on the Synology.
6. In Destination Folder, browse to the shared folder you created (e.g., qnap-backup). You may need to type the path manually if it does not appear.
7. Select the source folders on the QNAP that you want to back up.
8. Set a schedule (daily, weekly, etc.) and choose whether to enable versioning. HBS supports up to 64 versions of each file.
9. Click Create and then run the job manually to test.

If the connection fails, double-check the IP, port, and credentials. A common mistake is using the Synology’s admin account instead of a dedicated backup user—use the dedicated one to avoid permission issues.

Alternative Methods: SMB, FTP, and Cloud Sync

rsync is not the only way. Depending on your needs, consider:

• SMB/CIFS – Mount the Synology shared folder on the QNAP as a network drive and use QNAP’s Backup to External Storage or a file-station copy. This is simpler but slower and does not support incremental transfers or versioning.
• FTP/SFTP – QNAP can back up to an FTP server. SFTP (over SSH) is more secure but requires setting up the SSH service on Synology. This works well but lacks rsync’s delta-transfer efficiency.
• Synology Cloud Sync – If you have a QNAP and a Synology, you can also use Synology’s Cloud Sync to pull data from a cloud service that QNAP pushes to, but this adds a middleman and is not recommended for large volumes.

For most users, rsync via HBS is the best balance of speed, security, and features.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with a straightforward setup, issues arise. Here are the most frequent ones:

• Permission denied – The user on Synology does not have write access to the target folder. Re-check the shared folder permissions and ensure the user is in the correct group.
• Connection timeout – Firewall on either NAS or the router is blocking port 873. Temporarily disable the firewall on both devices to test, then create allow rules.
• Slow initial backup – The first rsync transfer copies everything. Subsequent runs are incremental. Be patient; you can also enable compression in HBS to speed up over WAN.
• File names with non-ASCII characters – rsync may fail on certain characters. Use the Preserve file attributes and Preserve symbolic links options in HBS to avoid issues.
• Scheduled job does not run – Check that the NAS is not in sleep mode. Go to Control Panel → Hardware → Power and disable disk hibernation if it interferes.

If you still have trouble, test the rsync connection from a computer using a command like rsync -avz /local/folder/ user@synology-ip::qnap-backup/ (if using rsync daemon) to isolate the issue.

Security Considerations

Backing up between two NAS devices over the internet exposes your data to interception and unauthorized access. Follow these practices:

• Use a VPN (e.g., Synology’s built-in VPN server or a router-level VPN) instead of exposing the rsync port directly.
• If you must use rsync over the internet, enable SSH on Synology and use rsync over SSH (port 22). This encrypts the transfer.
• Use strong passwords and consider two-factor authentication for NAS admin accounts.
• Regularly test your backups by restoring a few files to ensure the data is intact.
• Keep both NAS firmware updated to patch known vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I back up QNAP to Synology without using rsync?

Yes. You can mount a Synology shared folder via SMB and use QNAP’s backup tools, or use FTP/SFTP. However, rsync is recommended because it is incremental, supports versioning, and is built into both systems.

Does the backup include all file versions?

Only if you enable versioning in Hybrid Backup Sync. Without it, the target folder mirrors the source, and deleted files on the source are deleted on the target after a sync. Enable versioning to keep historical copies.

What if I want to back up from Synology to QNAP instead?

The process is reversed. You would enable rsync on QNAP (in Control Panel → Network & File Services) and use Synology’s Hyper Backup to push to an rsync target. The steps are analogous.

Can I schedule the backup to run automatically?

Yes, Hybrid Backup Sync allows you to set a schedule (e.g., daily at 2 AM). You can also set up real-time backup for specific folders, which syncs changes almost instantly.

Will the backup work if the Synology is off?

No. The target NAS must be powered on and reachable. If you want to back up to an off-site Synology, ensure it is always on or set a wake-on-LAN schedule.

Is there a limit to the number of versions?

Hybrid Backup Sync supports up to 64 versions per file. After that, the oldest version is deleted. You can adjust this in the job settings.

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