Guide to install NodeBB on Docker with Synology NAS (DSM)

[Per0x]

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Here is a guide for those who want to install a small NodeBB forum on their Synology NAS using Docker.

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This guide is designed for those with no knowledge in servers management in CLI (command line interface), all the installation described here can be carried out in the DSM interface from Synology.

For larger installations a Dedicated Server / VPS or hosting services like NodeBB Instant Hosting is probably preferable but for a small community or for testing purposes, this solution is functional.

Prerequisites:

• A static IP address from your ISP or a Dynamic DNS configured from the NAS. (I would not detail this part, I consider that you already have it)

• A Domain name that redirects to your NAS. (From Synology DDNS, GoDaddy, Bluehost, OVH, etc...)

• Ports 80/443 open in your router and that redirect to your NAS

• A compatible Synology NAS with DSM 6.2.x or later (see list below)

Applied Models:

20 series:	FS6400, FS3400, RS820RP+, RS820+, DS620slim, SA3600, SA3400, SA3200D
19 series:	RS1619xs+, RS1219+, DS2419+, DS1819+, DS1019+, DVA3219
18 series:	FS1018, RS3618xs, RS2818RP+, RS2418RP+, RS2418+, RS818RP+, RS818+, DS3018xs, DS1618+, DS918+, DS718+, DS218+
17 series:	FS3017, FS2017, RS18017xs+, RS4017xs+, RS3617xs+, RS3617RPxs, RS3617xs, DS3617xs, DS1817+, DS1517+
16 series:	RS18016xs+, RS2416RP+, RS2416+, DS916+, DS716+, DS716+II, DS216+, DS216+II
15 series:	RS815RP+, RS815+, RC18015xs+, DS3615xs, DS2415+, DS1815+, DS1515+, DS415+
14 series:	RS3614xs+, RS3614RPxs, RS3614xs, RS2414RP+, RS2414+, RS814RP+, RS814+
13 series:	RS10613xs+, RS3413xs+, DS2413+, DS1813+, DS1513+, DS713+
12 series:	RS3412RPxs, RS3412xs, RS2212RP+, RS2212+, RS812RP+, RS812+, DS3612xs, DS1812+, DS1512+, DS712+, DS412+
11 series:	RS3411RPxs, RS3411xs, RS2211RP+, RS2211+, DS3611xs, DS2411+, DS1511+, DS411+, DS411+II
*10 series:	RS810RP+, RS810+, DS1010+, DS710+

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First Step: Docker and Database

(We choose a redis database here given that we want to set up a fast small forum)

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• Install Docker on your Synology from the Package Center

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• Go in Registry and search for Redis. Then we download the latest bitnamli/redis Image by double-clicking on it. We're not using official Redis image for ease because Bitnami's image allows us to add environment variables that will be useful in the Synology GUI (the redis password in our case).

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• Once the image is downloaded, you can found it in the Image tab. Then launch it.

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• Name the container as you want (redis-nodebb in my case) and click Advanced Settings

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• Check Enable auto-restart

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• Go to Port Settings and set local port to 6379.

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• Go to Environment and add the variable REDIS_PASSWORD with a solid password by pressing the "+" button. (do not copy mypassword in my image example).

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• Click Apply and you should see your container starting in Container tab

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Second Step: NodeBB

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• Return in Registry tab and search and download latest nodebb/docker image

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• Go to Image tab. Launch nodebb/docker. Name it as you want, then go to Advanced Settings

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• Enable auto-restart

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• In Port Settings set local port to 4567 then Apply then Next and finally Apply again.

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• You should now see your two containers with redis and nodebb started in Container tab

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• Configure NodeBB installer on http://your-nas-ip:4567 in your favorite browser (your-nas-ip should be the same from Synology DSM access. Something like 192.168.X.X)

  • Note that in "Web address" you must indicate the external url of your forum with your own domain name with HTTPS. I don't detail in this tutorial how to buy a domain name, but if you only want to use nodebb locally, just leave the default url.

  • Fill in your login details for the administrator.

  • Fill in the information for the database as shown below

  • Click Install

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Third Step: Persistent Storage

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Datas in Docker containers are not persistent by default. However, it is essential for a forum to have control over the data and be able to perform backups and restores. This is why Docker allows us to mount volumes to associate a folder on your NAS with folders inside the containers.

• In File Station > docker folder, create a new folder nodebb.
  You should have something like: /volume1/docker/nodebb

Note: You have to identify the absolute path of your folder depending on your volumes on your NAS. In File Station, Right click on the folder > Properties > Location. For me, it's starting with /volume1.

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• Go to Control Panel > Task Scheduler and create a new task script

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• In General Settings let Root user and in Task Settings copy this example in Run command

docker cp nodebb-docker:/usr/src/app/public/uploads /volume1/docker/nodebb

docker cp redis-nodebb:/bitnami/redis/data /volume1/docker/nodebb

if you've named your containers differently than I have, you have to change: nodebb-docker:/ and redis-nodebb:/ according to yours.

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• Click OK, then select your script and Run it

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• You should now have two new folders in /docker/nodebb. One /data and one /uploads. Check that they are present and not empty. You can then remove the script you created previously if it succeeded.

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• Return in Docker > Container tab, and turn off the Redis and NodeBB containers

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• Click Edit on your nodebb container turned off, and go to Volume tab > Add Folder

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• Select: /docker/nodebb/uploads on your NAS, and mount it to: /usr/src/app/public/uploads. Then Apply

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• Do the same procedure to your redis container by mounting /docker/nodebb/data to /bitnami/redis/data

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• Restart the two containers and check that there is no fail. (if container can't start, there is a problem in the mounted folders or permissions)

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Fourth Step: SSL and Reverse proxy

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Your forum should already be operational at this stage, but we now want to be able to access it from the outside (internet) with a domain name and an SSL certificate
(the green padlock in the address bar of your browser).

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• Go to Control Panel > Security > Certificate. And Click Add

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• Add a new certificate with method Get a Certificate from Let's Encrypt (you have to open and redirect port 80/443 to your Synology to make it work)

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• Set your domain name for your forum and your personnal email address.

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• If the request is accepted, your certificate should appear here

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• Go to Application Portal > Reverse proxy > Create

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• Name your Rule. Set the hostname with your domain name, the same from your certificate. Fill port 443 and Destination.

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• In Custom Header, select Create > Websocket. Then click OK to valid the Rule.

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• Go to Control panel > Security > Certificate. And click Configure. You have to associate the NodeBB rule you just created in the reverse proxy with the certificate you created earlier. Then validate by clicking on OK.

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• NodeBB should now be up and running and accessible locally at http://your-nas-IP:4567 as well as from the internet at https://yourdomainname.com.

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I hope this tutorial will help beginners. I think modern NAS can help everyone to get started for those who find it complicated to install NodeBB on their own. It's an easier introduction for them IMO compared to an installation from scratch on a CLI server.

If you have any questions or if I have made any mistakes in this tutorial, please let me know so that I can correct them.

[gotwf]

@Per0x Not personally a fan of Docker but way cool that you posted this up for the benefit of others. Good on 'ya!

[Per0x]

@gotwf Thanks!
Personally, I can't do without Docker anymore. Whether in production or for testing.
Using it with synology DSM, that's yet another story (no docker-composer for eg), but I think it's a good start for beginners.

[Tudor Ravoiu]

really nice documentation you did here

[scottalanmiller]

Very extensive, thanks!