NAS: General user guide - norlab-ulaval/Norlab_wiki GitHub Wiki

This guide describes the general guidelines for the usage of Synology NAS in Norlab. We have four NASes. To access any of them, you must be connected to ULaval's network or have a direct link between the NAS and your computer. The four NASes are:

  1. Bucheron:Dataset graveyard; not organized. DS418
  2. Yeti: Norlab's album; not organized. DS1618+
  3. Bigfoot: Actively maintained; datasets; organized; hosts LDAP server. DS1821+
  4. Sasquatch: Actively maintained; robot backups; is located in the workshop. DS923+

Sasquatch is currently not connected to ULaval's network.

Accessing the NAS

All devices share the same user and group space. What this means is that you need a single account to access any of them. The account information is maintained on Bigfood through LDAP. To create a new account, contact one of the NAS admins (Matěj, Veronica, or someone else with access to Norlab's 1Password). The admin information is stored there. The admin will need some credentials to create your account:

  • ULaval IDUL
  • ULaval email address Once the account is created, you will receive an email with the password. Use any of the links above to open the NAS in your browser.

All users have a 2TB personal storage on the Bigfoot NAS. After logging in, open File Station and navigate to /home:

All other files and directories are read-only by default. If you need specific access somewhere, ask your admin.

Mounting USB devices

It might be sometimes faster to plug in your external SSD and copy the files to the NAS that way. All NASes are equipped with one or more USB ports. After plugging in the USB, your device should appear in the File Station. If it doesn't, you will need to ask your admin for help.

External devices are managed in the NAS' Control Panel. Open the Control Panel and navigate to External Devices. The admin should see the device there. Go to settings and verify that under LDAP groups, all users have Read/Write access to the device: Unfortunately, this default behaviour doesn't always work so you might need to change the permissions for each connected device individually. To do this, open the Control Panel again and navigate to Shared Folder. You should see your USB device there. Click on it and click on Edit. Then modify the permissions the same way as you did before:

Now unmount and plug the device back in. All users should see it now.

Managing LDAP users and groups

The users and groups for all four NASes are managed from one place: the Bigfoot NAS. This is possible through LDAP. Bigfoot is the LDAP server, and any device can use it as a client. The management is done in the LDAP Server app on Bigfoot. You can easily add new users or groups here, or assign users to groups:

The other NASes don't need any special apps; everything is done inside the Control Panel. Open it and navigate to Domain/LDAP. Here, you can set up a new connection or verify that the client is synchronized. Normally, clients sync with the server every 60 minutes.

The password used for the clients to the LDAP server is stored in Norlab's 1Password.

Changing permissions

Permissions are managed in two places: the Control Panel for Shared Folders and File Station for general directories/files inside a Shared Folder. When modifying the permissions start writing the user's username/group and it will appear:

UPS

UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a big battery box located under the NAS desk. It serves as an emergency power source when the power outlet voltage drops. In that case, it sends a signal to the Bigfoot NAS, which informs the other NASes, and they all shut down after 5 minutes.

Basic information:

  • Model: APV Back-UPS Pro 1500
  • Installation date: January 4th 2026
  • Battery replacement: 2030
  • User guide and warranty location: Office supplies cabinet