Synology DS920 DSM upgrade advice

[Enquiries]

Hi,
As someone that doesn't regularly modify my NAS, I am interested in finally updating from my current DSM 6.2.4-25556 Update 7 to the latest DSM 7 version.

My previous reservations to committing to this upgrade were due to the limitations of the original "Photo's" app when compared "Moments" that I currently use.

Other than Moments, I currently use my NAS for PC, phone and email data backups, as well as storage of media of which I utilise PLEX Media Server.

My questions are;
1. Do you see any major issue upgrading from where I currently am to the latest DSM, with mostly "Moments" in mind (or should I progressively upgrade, say from where I am to DSM 7.0 first?)
2. I currently have a backup of my "Moments" directories off site, is there a chance of losing other data?
2. Is there a video walk-through that you have made lately to navigate the above upgrades?
3. Are there compatibility issues with Seagate HDD's (1x ST16000NE000, 2x ST8000NE001)

Any info would be much appreciated!

[ed]

Thanks for reaching out! It's great to hear you're looking to upgrade your DSM version. I'll address each of your questions to help you with your upgrade process.

1. Upgrading to DSM 7 – Should You Do It All at Once or Progressively?
Upgrading from DSM 6.2.4 to DSM 7 should generally be smooth, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

Progressive upgrade: There's no real need to go through each version (e.g., DSM 7.0 first) as long as you're upgrading to DSM 7.1 or later, which is more refined and stable. However, you might want to ensure you have the latest DSM 6.2.x update before making the jump directly to DSM 7.
Moments vs. Photos app: You're correct that Moments has been replaced by the Photos app in DSM 7. However, Synology has made significant improvements to the Photos app in DSM 7, so it should be much better than when it was first introduced. Before upgrading, I recommend ensuring that your Moments data is backed up properly (which you mentioned you've done), as the transition might require some migration or reorganization of your photos. DSM 7 should handle this migration, but it's always better to be cautious.
2. Backup of Moments & Data Loss Risk
Since you already have a backup of your Moments directories off-site, you're well-prepared for any possible data loss during the upgrade. The risk of losing other data is very low, especially if you're upgrading from a stable DSM 6.2.x environment. However, it's always recommended to:

Double-check your backups to ensure they include all the important data.
Ensure that your shared folders are properly mapped and recognized after the upgrade.
3. Video Walk-through for DSM Upgrade
I haven't produced a recent walk-through specifically for DSM upgrades, but there are plenty of reliable resources available.
For example, Synology's support pages provide step-by-step guides for upgrading DSM versions, which is very helpful. You can also find video tutorials on YouTube that cover the DSM 7 upgrade process.

4. Compatibility with Seagate HDDs (ST16000NE000 & ST8000NE001)
Synology has great compatibility with most HDDs, including Seagate drives.

The Seagate ST16000NE000 (16TB) and Seagate ST8000NE001 (8TB) are supported by Synology, but make sure you're using the latest DSM version (DSM 7) and check for any firmware updates for the hard drives.
If you're using SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID), it should automatically handle different drive sizes and models. However, always ensure your drives have the latest firmware for optimal performance and compatibility.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, the upgrade to DSM 7 should be smooth, especially with your backup practices in place. Just make sure to:

Perform the upgrade in off-peak hours when the NAS is not in heavy use.
Check the release notes for DSM 7 to understand any changes to features like Photos, and to ensure your data backup is safe.