Getting the HDDs into the DiskStation DS410 isn’t a very difficult task at all. All you have to do is remove the screws at the rear of the unit, which loosens the outer shell. You can then remove this shell, to expose the inner chamber, housing the PCB, components and HDD cage.


With the outer shell off


The PCB - CPU heatsink

For each level inside the DS410, there are mounting trays. To install the HDD you have to remove the mounting tray, place the HDD inside the tray and secure the HDD with screws.


HDD goes into the tray and four screws secure the HDD


The underside of the tray. Gives suitable protection for the HDD

Depending on the configuration you want to use will determine where the HDDs go. In this review, I’m choosing to take advantage of RAID1 so I need two HDDs. There are a total of 4 slots to house the HDD media. Placing one in the top of our unit or even at the lowest shelf seems to limit the cooling capabilities of the DS410 because the two fans mounted on the back of the NAS unit do not cover these shelves. Fortunately though I only had two HDDs, so placing them in the two middle shelves works to my advantage because the fans cover these two positions. It’s important for us to have adequate cooling because like most NAS boxes, the unit is going to be powered up for long periods of time. So we want to keep the HDDs in particular as cool as possible.


Twin 80mm fans only cover two middle slots

NOTE: These two 80mm fans can be replaced if required, just unscrew from the mounting and plug into the PCB.

When you are ready to install the HDDs, just slide them along the shelves and at the very end are the SATA data and power ports that fit perfectly into the HDDs.


SATA ports at the front of the NAS - drive slides directly into these ports

When done, just place the shell and screws back on and we’re ready to go!