Two network cables connected to a NAS do not automatically double one person's file-copy speed. Start by describing the workload: one editing workstation transferring a large project, or several staff accessing different files at once. Those situations can benefit from different network arrangements.

Synology distinguishes SMB3 Multichannel, which can use multiple connections for an SMB client, from Link Aggregation, which combines links for overall network capacity across clients. A link-aggregation configuration alone should not be treated as a promise that a single transfer will use the sum of all link speeds.

Verify support at both ends

Check the NAS model, DSM version, SMB Service version and client operating system against Synology's current specifications. The listed multichannel requirements include supported x86 models, DSM 7.1.1 or later and SMB Service 4.15. Both ends need suitable multiple adapters or an adapter supporting Receive Side Scaling. Confirm the installed package's current requirements before changing it.

Synology also lists Multichannel and Link Aggregation as options that cannot be enabled concurrently. Record any existing bond and its purpose before planning a change. A live business network needs a maintenance path that preserves administration access; do not remove a working bond simply to explore a checkbox.

Measure the job that matters

For a proposed single-workstation improvement, choose a non-sensitive test dataset and record its size, transfer direction, client connection and elapsed time. Repeat under comparable conditions. For a shared-office problem, observe the relevant simultaneous workload as well; an idle-network copy does not reproduce the busy period.

Storage and CPU limits can prevent the expected gain even when the network feature is available. Synology's troubleshooting guidance also calls out adapter-speed differences. Record these facts before attributing a flat result to a faulty network card.

Make the final decision using the measured workload and the supported configuration. A useful result might be that concurrent users improve while one copy remains unchanged, or that the workstation's storage limits the transfer. Preserve the original configuration and comparison results so a later network change can be assessed against the same task.

Sources: Synology documentation 1, Synology documentation 2, Synology documentation 3.