Overview

A UPS bridges short outages and signals the NAS to shut down cleanly during longer events.

Sizing VA, watts, and runtime

Size for your NAS, switches, and critical routers together. Aim for 10 to 20 minutes of runtime to cover short outages and give time for clean shutdown.

• Add watt draw for NAS, switch, and router then choose a UPS with headroom
• Select a model with user replaceable batteries
• Use manufacturer runtime charts to verify targets

UPS types and which to choose

Line interactive suits most homes and small offices. Online double conversion is for sensitive sites and higher budgets.

• Standby for basic protection in very small setups
• Line interactive for most NAS deployments
• Online for environments with frequent brownouts or strict requirements

NAS integration and shutdown policy

Connect the UPS via USB so DSM can read status and trigger actions.

• Enable UPS support in Control Panel and set safe shutdown thresholds
• Choose network UPS server when multiple NAS units share one UPS
• Test that alerts and shutdown timers work as expected

Placement and maintenance

Keep the UPS in a cool, ventilated spot and plan for battery replacements.

• Avoid enclosed cabinets without airflow
• Replace batteries per manufacturer guidance
• Keep spare fuses or batteries when downtime risk is high

Testing and drills

Validate behaviour before a real outage.

• Simulate a short outage and watch DSM events
• Review logs and adjust shutdown timers
• Retest after firmware or configuration changes

FAQs

Quick answers to common UPS questions.

• How much runtime do I need? Ten to twenty minutes is a common target
• Do I need surge protection as well? A UPS includes basic protection but a quality power board helps
• Can I run the NAS through a generator? Yes with appropriate conditioning and stable voltage