NetAlertX, formerly Pi.Alert, is an advanced Docker application that scans for devices connected to your WIFI/LAN and alerts you if new and unknown devices are found. The system continuously scans the network for new devices, new connections (re-connections), disconnections, “always connected” devices down, devices IP changes and Internet IP address changes. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install NetAlertX on your Synology NAS using Docker & Portainer. 🚀Note: At the beginning of April 2024, Pi.Alert changed its name to NetAlertX.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest NetAlertX 24.4.17 release.

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Portainer using my step by step guide. If you already have Portainer installed on your Synology NAS, skip this STEP. Attention: Make sure you have installed the latest Portainer version.

• STEP 3

Go to File Station and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create one new folder and name it netalertx. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 4

Now create three new folders inside the netalertx folder that you created at STEP 3 name them config, db, logs. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 5

Log into Portainer using your username and password. On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Stacks then + Add stack. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 6

In the Name field type in netalertx. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Note: Copy Paste the code below in the Portainer Stacks Web editor.

version: "3.9"
services:
  pi.alert:
     container_name: NetAlertX
     healthcheck:
      test: curl -f http://localhost:17811/ || exit 1
     mem_limit: 4g
     cpu_shares: 768
     security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
     volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/netalertx/config:/app/config:rw
      - /volume1/docker/netalertx/db:/app/db:rw
      - /volume1/docker/netalertx/logs:/app/front/log:rw
     environment:
      TZ: Europe/Bucharest
      PORT: 17811
      HOST_USER_ID: 1026
      HOST_USER_GID: 100
     network_mode: host
     restart: on-failure:5
     image: jokobsk/netalertx:latest

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for TZ. (Select your current Time Zone from this list.)
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value numbers for HOST_USER_ID and HOST_USER_GID with your own values. (Follow my step by step guide on how to do this.) 1026 is my personal ID value and 100 is my personal GID value. You have to type in your own values.

• STEP 7

Scroll down on the page until you see a button named Deploy the stack. Click on it. Follow the instructions in the image below. The installation process can take up to a few minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection.

• STEP 8

If everything goes right, you will see the following message at the top right of your screen: “Success Stack successfully deployed“.

• STEP 9

Go back to STEP 1 or you will deal with karma 🙂

• STEP 10

The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Now open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:17811 it will take a few minutes for NetAlertX to scan your entire network.💡Note: On the left sidebar you can click on Settings and you can add a different Subnet to scan.

• STEP 11

Protect your NetAlertX instance via password. On the left sidebar click on Settings then check Enable login. Scroll down the page until you find the Save button. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 12

Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 13

Wait until importing the settings and plugins is finalized. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 14

On the left sidebar in Portainer, click Containers. Identify your NetAlertX instance, then click on the little terminal icon. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 15

After you click on the little terminal icon at STEP 14, a new page will open. Click Connect. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 16

After you click Connect at STEP 14, a Console will open. Copy Paste the code below and follow the instructions in the image.

/app/back/pialert-cli set_password mariushosting2023

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Console area below, change mariushosting2023 with the new password you want to use.
Note: The password you choose should have at least 16 characters.

• STEP 17

Once the code is inserted, confirm by pressing Enter on your keyboard to start the password creation process. Once it’s done, you will see a message that says: The new password is set. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 18

Now open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:17811 You will be asked to enter your password. Type in the password you have previously created at STEP 16 then click Log in. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 19

If you want to change the Pi.Alert theme to Dark Mode, click on Maintenance then Toggle Modes Dark/Light. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 20

A new orange pop up window will open. Click Switch. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 21

Your NetAlertX dashboard at a glance!

• STEP 22

Enable email notifications on NetAlertX.

Enjoy NetAlertX!

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

If you encounter issues by using this container, make sure to check out the Common Docker issues article.

Note: If you want to run the NetAlertX container over HTTPS, check How to Run Docker Containers Over HTTPS. In order to make NetAlertX work over https, it’s also mandatory to set up WebSocket.

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: Find out how to update the NetAlertX 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.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.

This post was updated on Thursday / April 18th, 2024 at 11:17 PM