Troubleshooting Slow Windows File Discovery on a Synology NAS over WAN

Introduction

SMB (Server Message Block) is a widely used protocol for sharing files, printers, and other resources between computers. Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) servers often use SMB for file sharing. However, when accessing files over a Wide Area Network (WAN) using SMB, you may encounter slow Windows file discovery issues. This article covers troubleshooting these issues when running an SMB server on a Synology NAS with a PPTP VPN router at home.

Symptoms

The symptoms of slow Windows file discovery on a Synology NAS with SMB and VPN include:

• Long delays when browsing or searching for files on the NAS over the WAN.
• Files not appearing in the file explorer or taking a long time to appear.

Causes

The causes of slow Windows file discovery on a Synology NAS with SMB and VPN can be:

• Network latency: The distance between your computer and the NAS over the WAN can cause significant latency, leading to slow file discovery.
• SMB version: Using an older SMB version can lead to slower file discovery.
• Firewall settings: Firewalls on the NAS, router, or your computer can block or delay SMB traffic, causing slow file discovery.
• VPN performance: A slow or unstable VPN connection can cause slow file discovery.

Solutions

Update SMB Version

Update the SMB version on your Synology NAS to the latest version. A newer SMB version can offer faster file discovery and improved performance:

Optimize SMB Settings

Optimize the SMB settings on your Synology NAS to improve file discovery performance:

Check Firewall Settings

Check the firewall settings on the NAS, router, and your computer to ensure they allow SMB traffic:

Improve VPN Performance

Improve the performance of your VPN connection to reduce the impact on file discovery:

• Use a faster VPN protocol, such as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
• Upgrade your VPN server or client software.
• Reduce the encryption level or compress data to improve performance.

Slow Windows file discovery on a Synology NAS with SMB and VPN can be caused by network latency, SMB version, firewall settings, or VPN performance. To troubleshoot these issues, update the SMB version, optimize SMB settings, check firewall settings, and improve VPN performance. By following these steps, you can improve the file discovery performance of your Synology NAS over the WAN.