Hey everyone! I'm part of a small architecture firm (just 5 of us), and we're looking to replace our outdated Windows Server 2016 with a Synology NAS, likely the RS822RP+ with SSDs. The current setup has performance and latency issues since some of our hard drives date back to 2008. We've been using our server mainly for file storage and managing profiles and groups through Active Directory.
I want to make the transition to a NAS because of the user-friendly features, particularly the remote access and backup options. However, I'm a bit stuck on how to manage our existing Active Directory profiles on the PCs after the switch. I've heard of using tools like profwiz to convert them into local profiles, but I'm worried about potential problems that might come with that.
Also, if anyone has suggestions for Windows-based NAS alternatives that suit our needs, I'd love to hear them! Thanks in advance!
6 Answers
If I were in your shoes, I'd think about keeping the Windows server and just upgrading to Server 2019 or 2022. Your current AD setup is working for you, so it might not be worth the hassle to switch everything to a NAS right away. You can connect the NAS via iSCSI to the server, which allows it to appear as a local drive. It’s also possible to move file storage to the NAS while still using the Windows server for AD management. This way, you can test both systems without drastically changing everything at once, and even if you don't transition fully, having a decent NAS can serve as a good backup solution in case something goes sideways with the server.
The Synology NAS does offer a package for Directory Service using Samba, but migrating from an existing Active Directory can be tricky—it’s mostly a fresh setup. I’d recommend upgrading your domain controller to Server 2022 and just connecting the Synology as a file server under the existing AD framework. This might be the smoothest way to keep everything operational without starting from scratch. Don’t forget your best disaster recovery practices when setting this all up!
How much data do you have to move? If you're at a small scale, ditching AD could be fine, but you don’t want to replace it with nothing. For file storage, Azure Files is an option, although it can get pricey. If your data needs are minimal, it could be a good fit for you.
I’d recommend going full cloud with Entra for your identity management, and set up OneDrive or SharePoint on the client machines for file access. Additionally, consider setting up SharePoint or OneDrive on Synology for file access. And don’t overlook a solid cloud backup solution to safeguard everything!
I have a company that can assist with this transition if you're interested. Just let me know, and we can discuss options!
Have you considered using automation tools to help with profile migration? Check out this open-source tool [Terminator](https://github.com/mediar-ai/terminator). It can automate workflows between Windows Server and Synology, potentially easing the transfer of user data and settings without requiring manual work on every individual PC. It could simplify the whole process!
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