Skip to main content

Synology Docker Basics

Synology NAS devices are excellent home servers, and their support for Docker (now called Container Manager in DSM 7.2+) makes them even more powerful.

Installing Container Manager​

  1. Open Package Center on your Synology DSM.
  2. Search for Container Manager (formerly "Docker").
  3. Click Install.

The Basics​

Downloading Images​

In the Registry tab, you can search for images from Docker Hub.

  • Tip: Always look for the "Official Image" tag or high star counts.
  • Select the tag (usually latest or a specific version like 1.21).

Launching a Container​

When you launch an image, the wizard guides you through the settings.

1. Network​

  • Bridge: The default. The container gets its own IP on an internal network. You must map ports (e.g., Local Port 8080 -> Container Port 80).
  • Host: The container shares the NAS's IP address. No port mapping needed, but watch out for port conflicts with DSM services (like port 5000/5001).

2. Volume Settings (Crucial!)​

Docker containers are ephemeral. If you delete the container, the data inside is gone. Always map important data to a folder on your NAS.

  • File/Folder: Select a folder on your Synology (e.g., /docker/my-app/config).
  • Mount path: The path inside the container where the app expects data (e.g., /config).

Docker Compose on Synology​

The Container Manager UI now supports Docker Compose (called "Projects").

  1. Go to the Project tab.
  2. Click Create.
  3. Name your project.
  4. Select a path (where the docker-compose.yml will be saved).
  5. Paste your docker-compose.yml content directly into the editor.
  6. Click Next and then Done.

This is much better than managing individual containers manually because you can update the entire stack easily.

Limitations of Synology Docker​

  • Kernel Version: Synology Linux kernels are often older. Some modern Docker features or containers requiring specific kernel modules (like WireGuard) might be tricky.
  • Performance: Lower-end "j" series models might not support Docker or have limited RAM.
  • Port Conflicts: DSM uses many ports (80, 443, 5000, 5001, 8080). You often need to map container ports to non-standard ports (e.g., 8081).

Outgrown your NAS?​

If your NAS is struggling with performance or you want to expose services to the internet securely without opening ports on your home router:

Deploy on Hostim.dev

Hostim.dev offers a secure, cloud-based alternative for your Docker containers, with no hardware to manage.