Can Multiple Users Access Synology NAS at the Same Time?

A project team should not have to stop working because one person is opening a drawing from the company file server. So, can multiple users access Synology NAS at the same time? Yes. A Synology NAS can serve many users concurrently, provided the network, storage configuration, permissions, and file workflow are designed for the work being performed.

For engineering, architecture, and manufacturing teams, the more useful question is not simply whether simultaneous access is possible. It is whether users can open, save, reference, synchronize, and protect CAD or BIM files without creating delays, conflicts, or avoidable data loss. The answer depends on the application and the way files are managed.

Can Multiple Users Access a Synology NAS at the Same Time?

Synology NAS systems are built to support concurrent access through common file-sharing protocols such as SMB for Windows-based environments. Different users can access different folders and files at the same time, subject to their account permissions and available system resources.

For example, one designer can open a DWG file, an estimator can retrieve PDFs, and a project manager can review specifications from the same NAS at the same time. Multiple users can also read the same file concurrently in many cases. This is normal behavior for a properly configured network storage system.

The limitation appears when two people try to edit and save the same file at once. A NAS provides file access and file locking, but it does not automatically turn every design application into a real-time collaboration platform. If two users make separate changes to the same standalone AutoCAD drawing, the last saved version may overwrite earlier work unless the software or team procedure prevents it.

Concurrent Access Is Not the Same as Concurrent Editing

This distinction matters most in CAD and BIM environments. A shared NAS can centralize project data, simplify backups, and give authorized staff access to current files. However, each software platform has its own rules for multi-user work.

With AutoCAD, teams commonly store DWG files on a shared NAS. When a user opens a drawing for editing, AutoCAD creates a lock file to indicate that the drawing is in use. Other users can generally open the file as read-only, but they should not edit the same drawing without a controlled process. Clear drawing ownership, disciplined check-in procedures, and consistent file naming remain necessary.

Revit requires more planning. Revit worksharing uses a central model and local user models. The central model may be placed on a supported shared network location, but the NAS, network performance, permissions, latency, and backup process all need to meet the requirements of the Revit version and the organization’s workflow. Revit users should work from local files and regularly synchronize with the central model, rather than having multiple people work directly within one file in an uncontrolled manner.

For teams using CAM, CAE, point-cloud data, rendering assets, or large BIM models, file sizes and frequent save operations place more demand on storage and networking. Concurrent use may still be practical, but a basic NAS with slow disks and a 1 GbE network can become a bottleneck as the number of active users grows.

What Determines How Many Users Can Work at Once?

There is no universal number because user capacity is shaped by workload, not just headcount. Twenty staff members opening office documents place a very different load on a NAS than five Revit users synchronizing models or three engineers processing large simulation datasets.

Network speed and latency

The network is often the first performance constraint. Gigabit Ethernet may be sufficient for small teams handling 2D drawings and routine project documents. For active BIM, large assemblies, high-resolution scans, or large rendering resources, 10 GbE connections between the NAS, core switch, and high-demand workstations can materially improve responsiveness.

Wireless access is useful for meetings and general document review, but it is not the preferred primary connection for users actively working on central CAD or BIM project data. A wired network provides more predictable speed and lower latency.

NAS processor, memory, and network ports

A NAS with a more capable processor and sufficient memory can handle more concurrent connections, indexing tasks, snapshots, user authentication, and background services. Models with expandable memory and multiple network ports offer greater room to grow.

However, higher NAS specifications alone do not solve an undersized network. A fast NAS connected to a 1 GbE switch still faces a 1 GbE path to that switch. The storage system, switch, cabling, and workstation adapters should be evaluated as one environment.

Drive type and storage layout

Hard drives offer cost-effective capacity and can work well for archives, documents, and smaller CAD teams. SSDs deliver faster random access and lower latency, which can benefit active project storage and demanding design workflows. Hybrid designs can also be effective, with high-speed storage assigned to active project data and larger-capacity drives used for completed projects and backups.

RAID improves availability when a drive fails, but it is not a backup. RAID keeps the system operating through certain hardware failures. It does not protect against accidental deletion, corrupted files, ransomware, or incorrect changes saved by a user.

File size and application behavior

A 5 MB drawing is not comparable to a 2 GB Revit model, a large Civil 3D data set, or a manufacturing assembly containing many linked files. Applications may create temporary files, reference external drawings, access libraries, or write data repeatedly during a project session. These activities increase the demand on the NAS and network.

Testing with real project files is more valuable than relying on an advertised user limit. A practical assessment should reflect the number of designers, the largest files, the software versions, and the peak periods when staff are saving or synchronizing work.

Configure Access by Role, Not by Convenience

A shared folder that everyone can edit may feel convenient at the start of a project. It also creates unnecessary risk. Access should reflect each person’s responsibility.

Set up individual user accounts rather than shared generic logins. Create groups for disciplines, projects, or departments, then assign folder permissions to those groups. Designers may need modify rights in active project folders, while management or clients may only need read access to issued documents. Finance, HR, and software license records should remain separate from design project storage.

This approach improves accountability and reduces accidental changes. It also makes it easier to remove access when a project ends or an employee changes roles. For larger organizations, connecting the NAS to centralized identity management can reduce administration and provide more consistent access control.

File locking should be tested in the actual applications used by the team. Users need to understand what a read-only warning means, where temporary lock files appear, and what to do if a workstation crashes while a file is open. Deleting lock files without checking whether another user is still active can create a conflict rather than solve one.

Build a Workflow That Protects Project Data

Technology works best when paired with a defined process. For standalone CAD files, assign drawing ownership, use a clear folder structure, and establish a procedure for revisions and issued sets. Do not rely on staff remembering which copy on a desktop is the latest.

For Revit, use a planned worksharing process. Confirm that the central model location is appropriate, establish local-file practices, define synchronization expectations, and schedule model maintenance. Teams should also understand when to create detached copies, when to audit a model, and how to manage linked models.

Snapshots can provide a quick recovery point when a file is accidentally deleted or altered. Scheduled backups should be maintained separately from the production NAS, ideally with an additional protected or offsite copy. Recovery is only dependable when backups are monitored and restoration is tested.

Ransomware protection deserves the same attention. Limit write permissions, use multi-factor authentication for administrative access where available, keep systems updated, and avoid exposing NAS management services directly to the public internet without appropriate security controls. A single shared storage location is valuable, but it also becomes a critical business asset that needs layered protection.

When a Synology NAS Is a Good Fit

A Synology NAS is often a practical choice for small to mid-sized technical teams that need centralized project storage, controlled access, local performance, backups, and straightforward administration. It is particularly useful when staff work primarily from one office or need a local repository for drawings, models, manufacturing files, and project documentation.

It may be less suitable as the only solution for highly distributed teams working across distant offices, very large Revit models, or workflows that require continuous real-time collaboration across unreliable internet connections. In those cases, a hybrid design may be better: local NAS storage for office performance, paired with an approved cloud collaboration platform or replicated storage strategy for remote project delivery.

The right design starts with the work your people perform every day. Measure active users, map the applications and file sizes involved, and plan the NAS, network, permissions, backup, and training as one solution. That gives your team more than shared storage - it gives them a dependable place to do project work without compromising control of the data.