Answer is an open-source knowledge-based community software. You can use it to quickly build your Q&A community for product technical support, customer support, user communication, and more. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Answer on your Synology NAS using Docker. Note: The guide proposed below is using SQLite as database, but if you want to use use the stable and secure MySQL as database, just follow my guide on How to Install Answer MySQL on Your Synology NAS.
This guide works perfectly with the latest Answer v1.3.6 release.
STEP 1
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STEP 2
Install Container Manager via Synology “Package Center”. If you run an older DSM version (under 7.2), search for Docker instead of Container Manager.
STEP 3
Make sure you have a synology.me Wildcard Certificate. Follow my guide to get a Wildcard Certificate. If you already have a synology.me Wildcard certificate, skip this STEP.
STEP 4
Go to Control Panel / Login Portal / Advanced Tab / click Reverse Proxy. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 5
Now click the “Create” button. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 6
After you click the Create button, the window below will open. Follow the instructions in the image below.
On the General area, set the Reverse Proxy Name description: type in Answer. After that, add the following instructions:
Source:
Protocol: HTTPS
Hostname: answer.yourname.synology.me
Port: 443
Check Enable HSTS
Destination:
Protocol: HTTP
Hostname: localhost
Port: 9835
STEP 7
On the Reverse Proxy Rules click the Custom Header tab. Click Create and then, from the drop-down menu, click WebSocket. After you click on WebSocket, two Header Names and two Values will be automatically added. Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 8
Go to Control Panel / Network / Connectivity tab/ Check Enable HTTP/2 then click Apply. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 9
Go to Control Panel / Security / Advanced tab/ Check Enable HTTP Compression then click Apply. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 10
Go to File Station and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create one new folder and name it answer. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.
STEP 11
Go to Control Panel / Task Scheduler / Create / Scheduled Task / User-defined script. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 12
Once you click on User-defined script, a new window will open. Follow the instructions below:
- General: In the Task field type in Install Answer. Uncheck the “Enabled” option. Select root User.
- Schedule: Select Run on the following date then select “Do not repeat“.
- Task Settings: Check “Send run details by email“, add your email then copy paste the code below in the Run command area. After that, click OK.
docker run -d --name=answer \ -p 9835:80 \ -v /volume1/docker/answer:/data \ --restart always \ apache/answer
STEP 13
After you click OK on STEP 12 a new warning pop up window will open. Click OK.
After you click OK, type in your DSM Password then click Submit. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 14
After you click Submit on STEP 13, select your “Install Answer” Task then click the “Run” tab. You will be asked to run Install Answer – click OK. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 15
Go back to STEP 1 or you will deal with karma 🙂.
STEP 16
Now open your browser and type in your HTTPS/SSL certificate like this https://answer.yourname.synology.me/install In my case it’s https://answer.mariushosting.synology.me/install If everything goes right, you will see the Answer installation page. Choose your favorite language then click Next. Note: If you forget to add /install after your synology.me DDNS, you will get an error message.
STEP 17
From the drop-down menu select SQLite as database then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 18
Click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 19
Add your own credentials plus your full synology.me DDNS address then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 20
Click Done. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 21
At the top right of the page click Log in then type in your own Email and Password that you have previously added at STEP 19. Click Log in. Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 22
Add your first question! Follow the instructions in the image below.
STEP 23
At the top right of the page click on the Profile icon then Admin to personalize your Answer website. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Enjoy Answer!
If you encounter issues by using this container, make sure to check out the Common Docker issues article.
Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: Find out how to update the Answer container with the latest image.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: How to Schedule Start & Stop For Docker Containers.
Note: How to Activate Email Notifications.
Note: How to Add Access Control Profile on Your NAS.
Note: How to Change Docker Containers Restart Policy.
Note: How to Use Docker Containers With VPN.
Note: Convert Docker Run Into Docker Compose.
Note: How to Clean Docker.
Note: How to Clean Docker Automatically.
Note: Best Practices When Using Docker and DDNS.
Note: Some Docker Containers Need WebSocket.
This post was updated on Friday / August 30th, 2024 at 3:59 PM