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Install Authentik on Synology NAS: Create a Private Single Sign-On (SSO) System for Comprehensive User Management 🔐
Learn how to install Authentik, the ultimate Open-Source Identity Provider, on your Synology NAS via Docker and Portainer to create a private Single Sign-On (SSO) system. Centralize logins and enhance security for your various applications.
📌 Key Highlights:
- Authentik is an Open-Source Identity Provider system for Single Sign-On (SSO) to centralize identity verification and access management for various applications.
- This guide provides detailed instructions on installing Authentik on Synology NAS using Docker with Portainer, simplifying management.
- Having a private SSO system maximizes security and privacy, as all user data is stored on your own NAS, without relying on external services.
Elevate the security and convenience of managing applications on your Synology NAS with Authentik! This Open-Source solution acts as an Identity Provider, allowing you to create your own Single Sign-On (SSO) system—one login for all applications. This eliminates the need to remember multiple service passwords and centralizes user management at a single point.
Authentik is an excellent choice for those seeking full privacy and data control. Instead of using Cloud Identity Providers like Okta or Azure AD, you can host the entire system on your own infrastructure. Authentik supports numerous modern authentication standards, including OpenID Connect, SAML, LDAP, RADIUS, and SCIM, enabling seamless connectivity with a wide range of systems and applications.
🛠️ Pre-installation Preparation
Before you begin installing Authentik on your Synology NAS, some preparations are necessary. Start by installing Docker and Portainer to run and manage containers. Additionally, you should have your own domain name (or use Synology.me DDNS). Crucially, you'll need a Wildcard SSL Certificate for secure HTTPS connections. Finally, configure a Reverse Proxy on DSM to point your domain name to the Authentik container.
⚙️ Configuration via Docker and Portainer
The installation process will be carried out via Portainer using a Docker Compose (Stack) file, which defines the configuration for all related services, including the main Authentik server, PostgreSQL database, and Redis caching system. In this Compose file, you will need to set several important Environment Variables, such as the Secret Key, initial admin password, SMTP server details for sending emails, and most importantly, the URL to access Authentik.
🚀 Getting Started with Authentik
Once the Stack is deployed in Portainer, you can immediately access the Authentik web interface via your configured domain. The initial login uses the default username 'akadmin' and the password you defined in the Compose file. Upon logging in, the first thing you should do is go to the Admin Interface to set the correct Base URL and change the username and password of the admin account for security.
✨ Benefits of Using Authentik
Having a private SSO system on your NAS not only makes logging into your hosted services (such as Portainer, Uptime Kuma, or other web apps) more convenient but also significantly enhances security. You can define complex access policies, enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and monitor all login activities from a single centralized dashboard.
💬 Has anyone tried using Authentik or other SSO systems on a Synology NAS? Please share your setup experiences or the benefits you've gained!