TerraMaster Forum

hello, I'm a new to Terramaster devices. I switched from Synology since they seem to have lost their minds with anti-consumer policies and changes. Synology has a native chat server and app called Synology Chat. this is my last Teather to Synology and is the only reason I still use my DS918+. it would be nice if such a solution were available for TOS7 so I can finish kicking Synology to the curb. i know there are 3rd party solutions that can run via docker container but ive thus far been unsuccessful in getting one working... that's not a TOS problem, that's a "I don't know what I'm doing" problem

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a361655 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 15:40

Could you explain why you need to use chat on a NAS? Is there a specific business need that relies on having chat functionality on the NAS?

TMroy wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 17:49

a361655 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 15:40

Could you explain why you need to use chat on a NAS? Is there a specific business need that relies on having chat functionality on the NAS?

as you know a NAS can be much more than a NAS, so this question seams close minded. that's like asking "why use a NAS as a PLEX server?" there are obvious reasons. I use Synology chat to communicate with friends and family and have my conversations stored on a device I control and away from prying eyes. There is no business need for me but I'm sure there are plenty of business customers that would like to self-host a chat application solution, so conversations possibly containing proprietary or sensitive info are stored in house rather than in the cloud. Synology found value in such an offering so there must be a market. the question of "why do this on a NAS ?" should be "Why not do this on a NAS?". the way Synology Chat works is the NAS runs the server application. There are client apps for windows, linux, MacOS and mobile operating systems. Synology does not charge for this feature. I realize this is a big ask and is unlikely. but I think people will find value in such a solution even if it's an additional one-time purchase for the server application.

a361655 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 19:08

Thanks! We'll take this to the team for discussion.

a361655 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 19:08

TMroy wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 17:49

a361655 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2026, 15:40

Could you explain why you need to use chat on a NAS? Is there a specific business need that relies on having chat functionality on the NAS?

as you know a NAS can be much more than a NAS, so this question seams close minded.

i wouldn’t call it close minded however there are various different virtualisation mechanisms built into TOS, that there are no real restrictions imposed on you putting a "Chat server" onto your NAS this is something you could do today if you wanted to

but i guess for change i do echo TMRoy (we normally butt heads over the years) but why do you need it built into TOS when you already have the capability do extend the NAS to feature one if that is what you decide you wanted? just go and do it, not sure why TM need to be involved to change anything when its something you can already do?

run a Linux VM or a Windows VM, theres no need to use docker (i dont find it particularly friendly) but theres absolutely no reason why you cant run windows in a VM on the NAS drive and then do what you want

These debates are well worth having. What seems like a simple chat tool is, in reality, extremely costly to maintain and operate. It requires integrating multiple tech stacks, databases, remote access, and security measures, plus ongoing development, maintenance, and updates across multiple clients—and even then, the result may not outperform existing off-the-shelf solutions. I would instead recommend that users deploy mature solutions via virtual machines or Docker, which is faster and more stable.

Pleaze provide some examples of chat server that you will like to run on your NAS. I can provide some guidelines and even native apps.

outkastm wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026, 17:15 Pleaze provide some examples of chat server that you will like to run on your NAS. I can provide some guidelines and even native apps.

RocketChat is one I tried to figure out but thus far have not found setup instructions that a novice can decipher. I could get the docker container installed and running but otherwise couldn't get to the web interface to configure. I'm sure I did something wrong or am missing something but gave up trying to figure it out.

TMroy wrote: ↑01 Aug 2026, 13:50 These debates are well worth having. What seems like a simple chat tool is, in reality, extremely costly to maintain and operate. It requires integrating multiple tech stacks, databases, remote access, and security measures, plus ongoing development, maintenance, and updates across multiple clients—and even then, the result may not outperform existing off-the-shelf solutions. I would instead recommend that users deploy mature solutions via virtual machines or Docker, which is faster and more stable.

Fair enough, I figured it would be a pain to develop and didn't consider the cost side of the equation. Rocketchat seems to be the best off the shelf solution but I struggled and gave up trying to get it working. the setup instructions are not novice friendly.