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If you’re a Mac user and want to know what Bonjour is or how it works on Synology, then this is the article for you.
What is Synology Bonjour?
Synology has a Bonjour Time Machine feature that enables users to back up their data by connecting to the NAS via SMB.
Many users are unaware of this feature and choose to disable it, thinking that they need to use the Finder to access the NAS files.
The term “not relevant here” is not technically incorrect about not ticking the Bonjour Time Machine feature via SMB, but I still recommend you do so for good measure because of a potential Finder moment down the line.
There was a workaround for years that involved setting the AFP flag on any computer that auto-adds disks in order to mount them as one would with an Xserve system.
However, Synology has a service (Bonjour) that shares network-accessible resources with other devices. This allows users to connect to Synology NAS drives and printers without adding them manually, making the process much simpler.
How to configure Synology Bonjour
To configure Synology Bonjour:
- Simply open the Control Panel.
- Go to the Network & File Sharing Center.
- Select the Bonjour tab.
- Check the box next to “Enable Bonjour Service.”
Once enabled, your Synology NAS will be discoverable by other devices on your local network. You can also choose to advertise your Synology NAS on the global network by selecting the “Publish Bonjour Service on the Internet” checkbox.
How to use Synology Bonjour
Once Synology Bonjour is enabled, your Synology NAS will be automatically discovered by other devices on your local network. Simply open the Finder on a Mac or the Explorer on a PC and look for your Synology NAS in the list of shared devices. Selecting your Synology NAS will open up a window showing all of the shared folders and files. You can now access your Synology NAS just like any other network drive.
Synology Bonjour is a great way to quickly and easily connect devices on your local network. With just a few clicks, you can have your Synology NAS up and running and accessible from anywhere on your network.
What are the benefits of using Synology Bonjour?
It’s easy to set up and use
With just a few clicks, you can have your Synology NAS up and running and accessible from anywhere on your network.
No manual configuration is required
Synology Bonjour automatically discovers devices on your local network, so there is no need to manually configure IP addresses or hostnames.
No extra software is required
Synology Bonjour uses the standard zero-configuration networking protocol, so there is no need to install any extra software.
It can be used to connect any two devices
Synology Bonjour can be used to connect any two devices on the same local network, without the need for any special configuration.
It makes it easy to access your Synology NAS
Once Synology Bonjour is enabled, your Synology NAS will be automatically discovered by other devices on your local network. Simply open the Finder on a Mac or the Explorer on a PC and look for your Synology NAS in the list of shared devices. Selecting your Synology NAS will open up a window showing all of the shared folders and files. You can now access your Synology NAS just like any other network drive.
It can be used to connect to the internet
If you enable the Publish Bonjour Service on the Internet option in the Control Panel, your Synology NAS will be accessible from anywhere in the world.
It makes it easy to find devices on your network
Synology Bonjour uses the standard mDNS (Multicast DNS) protocol to advertise the presence of your Synology NAS on the local network. This makes it easy for other devices to find and connect to your Synology NAS.
Improves security
When you use Synology Bonjour to connect to the internet, your Synology NAS will use a random port number that is different from the standard HTTP (80) or HTTPS (443) ports. This makes it more difficult for hackers to find and attack your Synology NAS.
It is compatible with most devices
Synology Bonjour is compatible with most devices that support the mDNS protocol, including Macs, PCs, Linux computers, iOS devices, and Android devices.
What are the cons of using Synology Bonjour?
It can be difficult to set up
If you’re not familiar with the mDNS protocol, setting up Synology Bonjour can be a bit tricky.
It requires extra configuration if you want to connect to the internet
If you want to connect to the internet, you will need to enable the “Publish Bonjour Service” in the Internet option in the Control Panel.
It may not be compatible with all devices
Synology Bonjour may not be compatible with all devices that support the mDNS protocol.
It can reduce security
If you’re not careful, Synology Bonjour can reduce the security of your network. Hackers can use mDNS to find and attack devices on your local network.
It can be slow
Synology Bonjour can be slower than other methods of connecting to your Synology NAS, such as using a static IP address.
Common issues with Synology Bonjour
It is difficult to connect to the internet
If you’re having difficulty connecting to the internet, make sure that you’ve enabled the “Publish Bonjour Service” in the Internet option in the Control Panel.
Slow speeds
Synology Bonjour can be slower than other methods of connecting to your Synology NAS. If you’re experiencing slow speeds, you may want to try using a static IP address.
Compatibility issues
Synology Bonjour may not be compatible with all devices that support the mDNS protocol. If you’re having difficulty connecting to your Synology NAS, make sure that your device is compatible with Synology Bonjour.
Security concerns
Hackers can use mDNS to find and attack devices on your local network. If you’re concerned about security, you may want to disable Synology Bonjour.
Tips for using Synology Bonjour
When using the Bonjour application, it’s best to use https when accessing the network. This will help keep your data secure while you’re browsing.
Synology Bonjour also has security features that can detect unauthorized devices and block them from accessing certain resources, or change their settings to restrict what they can do. So be sure to enable these features if you want to keep your data safe!
Another great thing about Synology Bonjour is that it allows users to access their files remotely. This means that you can work on projects from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. Just make sure that both devices are connected to the same network first!
Finally, if you’re having trouble connecting to another device using bonjour, try installing Macports on your system. Macports is a backup in case Synology Bonjour doesn’t work with High Sierra.
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