Parent Folder(s)

[Enquiries]

I'm following the setup series for Synology NAS. This is for my family...2 parents, 1 working adult child, and 1 child at university. I'm working to get everything setup before adding them as users. I want to make it easy and thought having a single parent shared folder, call it WalkerNAS, and then put subfolders in as Plex, Photos, Documents, Backups, and Music. My reasoning is to have a single Mapped Network drive as opposed to 5 mapped drives. Is this a good way to setup for family usage?

Thank you!

[ed]

Why This Setup is a Good Idea
Simplicity:

A single mapped network drive makes it easier for family members to access all files without juggling multiple drives.
Reduces confusion, especially for less tech-savvy users.
Centralized Organization:

Keeping subfolders like Plex, Photos, Documents, Backups, and Music under one parent folder provides a clear structure.
Access Control:

You can easily manage permissions for the parent folder or individual subfolders, ensuring each family member has appropriate access.
How to Set It Up Effectively
1. Create the Shared Folder Structure
In DSM, create a single shared folder called WalkerNAS.
Inside WalkerNAS, create subfolders for organization:
Plex
Photos
Documents
Backups
Music
2. Set Permissions by Subfolder
Use the Shared Folder Permissions and Advanced Folder Permissions in DSM to set access levels:
Plex: Read-only for most users, full access for admins.
Photos: Allow family members to view and upload photos.
Documents: Set private folders within Documents for individual users if needed.
Backups: Full access for everyone or restricted to specific devices.
Music: Shared read/write access for easy management.
3. Map the Parent Folder
Map the WalkerNAS folder as a network drive on all family devices.
Teach users to navigate to their respective subfolders within the drive.
4. Optimize Access with Synology Apps
Use Synology Drive for syncing Documents or Photos.
Synology Photos app can help organize and back up family pictures.
Install Plex Media Server for Plex to handle media streaming seamlessly.
Advantages of This Structure
Ease of Navigation: Family members only need to remember one mapped drive location.
Scalability: You can add more subfolders or reorganize as needed without disrupting mapped drives.
Centralized Management: Easier for you to back up, monitor, and manage the storage.
Potential Adjustments
If privacy is a concern, consider using additional shared folders (e.g., for individual backups) to segregate sensitive data.
For heavy Plex use, you may want to create a separate shared folder for Plex if you later need to move it to a different volume or disk group.