Site downtime / Synology DS415+ memory expansion

Some of you may seen a short period of downtime for my blog just a little while ago. In order to compensate for any inconveniences it could cause for those who notice it, here is a blog post explaining why it had happened.

For quite a while now I host my WordPress blog on Synology DS415+ NAS box and I’m going to continue to do so (at least no plans to move back to wordpress.com or something else so far). So I recently bought this:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 001

This is 8 Gb SO-DIMM DDR-III Kingston (KVR16S11/8 PC3-12800) which I bought from some local vendor in order to replace default 2 GB memory module which DS415+ NAS has installed in its default configuration. Officially Synology not supports memory expansion which is quite obvious from amount of work you need to reach out SO-DIMM slot 🙂 Also there is only one slot so you only can swap default module with new one. Number of people reported that they were successful with replacing memory modules on this box so I was pretty sure it will work out (don’t ask me about practical gains from memory increase – it’s a difficult part which I leave out in this blog post).

Entire process is straightforward and two question you may have is which memory modules will do and how to disassemble this box. Disassemble steps will be described below. As for memory modules I can say that factory preinstalled module labeled with DSL sticker and uses SEC chips (Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.) and has the following specs: DDR3 1600 2GB CL11. So essentially I was able to replace it with 8 Gb PC-12800. By the way these fancy PC3-XXXXX numbers are module names in accordance with JEDEC standards, in particular PC3-12800 = DDR3-1600x standard, and 12800 is a theoretical bandwidth of a module.

So before replacing memory module we have 2 Gb:

Before - System Information

Below you may find disassembly process steps. First switching off and disconnecting the box, and placing it in some convenient place. As you can see working 24×7 this box collects loads of dust rather quickly:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 002

Removing drives, in my case I have 2 6TB WD RED drives and 2 vacant places 🙂 :

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 003

Box without drives/drive cages:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 004Removing screws on the back side of the box (3 in total). One on the top:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 007

And two on the bottom:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 005

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 008

The most difficult part is to remove this upper cover. After looking at the similar set of pictures posted by somebody on Synology forums I was confused by the pictures there highlighting some locks on the top of the device, don’t dry to apply force there, actually you have to push from the inside of the box part of the cover which is opposed to leds/button side – push it from the inside and try to slid this cover back so that it free from the two clips located where you push and slid it to free the cover from the locks on the top. I marked area near from the locks where you have to push:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 010

Like I said it is most difficult part. You may need to watch this video to get an idea how exactly to do this step:

https://youtu.be/1PYp9CNdgn4?t=138

All the next steps are easy. Completely removing cover:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 011

Removing 4 screws holding the metal frame for drives (two from each side):

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 014

Remove plastic part on the top of the metal cage which connected with one of the fans:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 015

Unscrew and remove from its slot plate with SATA connectors:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 017

Then remove metal cage completely:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 018

Remove plate with ports:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 019

After this unscrew 2 screws on the metal cover and you finally get access to main board and memory slot. Here it is with dust and pre-installed 2Gb memory module:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 020

Old and new module side-by-side:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 021

Main board with new module installed:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 025

Next we repeat the step in reverse order and here is DS415+ box assembled again:

DS415+ RAM Upgarde 026

And once it is powered up we can see the final result of this process:

After - System Information

Now I have 8 GB of memory in my NAS, have you noticed that my blog works faster now? 😉 All the process took about 1,5 hour from switching off till power on with replaced memory module.

6 Comments

  • stefanox says:

    Ty 4 your share =D

  • NeoTrinity says:

    Hello Mike,

    Was looking around about BIOS battery specs for the DS-415+ but also for a memory module specs.

    And found exactly the information I’ve needed on your website.

    Just want to thank you for the simple explanation about JEDEC equivalence between RAM Modules.

    Have exactly the same 8GB one that I’m going to change right away.

    Nice website btw, keep going and all the best.

    Kind Regards.

  • RIco Sørensen says:

    Hi Mike,

    Do you know witch type the reset button is, because mine may be defect, I having the DS415+ to “Lost configuration” every 2 day:-(

  • Alberto says:

    Hi Mike.

    I have successfully upgraded the memory of my DS415+ following the procedure you have documented so accurately and using the same memory module.
    I’ve done it before upgrading DSM from 6 to 7, because Synology warns that the use of memory will be higher. Let’s see if it is worth.

    Thanks very much for your nice blog.

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