Version: 1.1-65374
(2024-11-05)
Important Note
- Fixed security vulnerabilities Synology-SA-24:23 BeeStation (PWN2OWN 2024).
Notes:
- This version is released in a staged rollout.

The main reason to update is that Synology security team has detected and patched a critical vulnerability registered as SA-24-15.
A vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a susceptible version of Synology BeeStation Manager (BSM).
Apart from this fix, the rest of the release notes are identical to the beta version discussed below.
Just over a year ago, we saw the new Synology operating system as somewhat of a surprise appearing on their download site under the name BSM.

Article on the subject of the new BeeStation Manager OS
While it was unclear what BSM is or what it will power up, by unpacking the PAT file it all became clear very quickly. On top of the new BeeDrive that was released just a few months before, BSM was here to announce the new upcoming BeeStation line of devices, as Synology's second Bee product.


BeeDrive initial review

BeeStation initial review running BSM 1.0
With a complete overhaul of how a NAS device should be used and set up, compared to the DSM system, the BSM was always envisioned as a turn-key solution in just a few steps.
With its initial BSM 1.0, it was already clear that Synology has managed to create a user-friendly device that supports all the major elements expected from a device such as the Beestation, offering multiple users a place for all their photos and files with a push of a button.

Providing a platform that offers backup, share, and sync capabilities it is no wonder that Synology is looking into pushing further with an all-in-one solution for €200 (HDD included).
BSM 1.1 is here
With that being said, Synology has just announced a new 1.1 beta version of BeeStation Manager offering security fixes, performance upgrades, and a few new features. Also, following the new DSM 7.2.2-72803 update and deprecation of H264, and H265 support, the same is happening on the BSM OS. Here are the full release notes:
Release Notes
This version includes the following applications:
- BeeFiles 1.1.0-10552
- BeePhotos 1.1.0-10051
BeeStation OS
Important Notes
With this change, you will need to install Synology Image Assistant when uploading new HEIC photos or HEVC (H.265) videos via web browsers or SMB. Otherwise, these files may not display correctly in BeeFiles or BeePhotos. Note that HEIC and HEVC files uploaded or backed up through the BeeFiles and BeePhotos mobile apps will remain unaffected and will display as usual.
Synology Image Assistant generates smaller JPEG previews (for BeePhotos and BeeFiles) and MP4 preview videos (for BeePhotos) for these formats, making them viewable across browsers and devices. For more information, refer to this tutorial.
Synology Image Assistant is available on:
- Windows/macOS: As a browser extension and as a desktop app. Both must be installed together.
- iOS/Android: As an added feature in the BeePhotos mobile app. It resolves display issues for HEIC and HEVC files uploaded via SMB or web browsers without using the desktop version of Synology Image Assistant.
Note: For Windows users, depending on your setup, you may need to update to Windows 11 version 22H2 or purchase the HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft.
What’s new
- Added support for configuring the “Maximum versions retained” when BeeStation backs up to C2 Storage Advanced Plan and external drives. Once the maximum is reached, older versions will be automatically replaced by new backups.
- Added support for including thumbnails in BeeFiles when creating backups or restoring through System Settings > Backup & Restore.
Fixed issues
- Fixed an issue where BeeStation notification emails were not updated after changing the Synology Account email address.
- Enhanced the connection speed from the BeeStation web portal to BeeFiles, BeePhotos, and System Settings.
- Fixed an issue where the backup status message was inaccurate when BeeStation experienced network disconnections or authentication failures during backups to C2 Storage.
- Fixed an issue where, if the backup process was unexpectedly interrupted and only a partial file was backed up, the status was displayed as “Not backed up yet” instead of “Partial success”.
BeeFiles 1.1.0
Important Notes
- This is a beta version of BeeFiles.
- BeeFiles 1.1.0 requires BeeStation OS 1.1.0 and above.
What’s new
- Added support for backing up and syncing with OneDrive for Business.
- Added support for displaying video thumbnails in the browser. Some formats may require Synology Image Assistant for thumbnail generation, depending on browser compatibility.
- Added support for playing additional video formats in the browser (e.g., MOV), with compatibility depending on the browser.
Fixed issues
- Fixed an issue where copying or moving files between BeeFiles and an external drive was incorrectly marked as “Completed” in “Background Activities”, even though the process was not finished.
- Fixed an issue where files in two-way syncing on the “Cloud services” page were not updated promptly.
- Fixed an issue where changing the local access username could cause USB backups and syncs created via BeeStation for the desktop to disappear.
- Fixed an issue where files on external drives could not be sorted by time.
- Fixed an issue with one-way downloads on the “Cloud services” page, where files deleted from the original cloud folder were incorrectly deleted from BeeFiles.
BeePhotos 1.1.0
Important Notes
- This is a beta version of BeePhotos.
- BeePhotos 1.1.0 requires BeeStation OS 1.1.0 and above.
Fixed issues
- Fixed an issue where previews might not display properly when BeeStation is busy for a while.
- Fixed an issue where the album page might not display the latest status immediately after photos are uploaded from a computer and added to the album.
- Fixed an issue where browsing a People album containing a large number of items might result in an error.
- Fixed an issue where a public sharing link was not available when accessed through Kakao.
- Fixed a security vulnerability regarding Socket.IO (CVE-2024-38355).
BSM 1.1 beta update process
Before going down the beta road, understand that as with the official versions, there is no way to roll back, so backup is advised.


Starting with the beta version has a single prerequisite, the BSM version number. While the instructions on how to install the beta tell us where to click and what to do, it does not say that BeeStation has to be on the latest version before the beta version section will show up.
The update itself is executed via the System Settings > Update section which will automatically have the beta version section visible at the bottom.


After downloading the beta PAT file from the beta page, a simple upload of the file will start the wizard process. Similar to the official updates (including the DSM) there will be a summary before the actual process. After about 10 min (including installing, rebooting, and post-install), the BeeStation will be on the latest beta version.




BSM 1.1 changes and usability
Importing 535 images (300MB) took about 8 minutes total including thumbnail generation. As a result, the content was immediately ready and accessible.
The changes that came with this 1.1 beta version are mostly noticeable in the change that followed from DSM 7.2.2, the support of the H264 and H265 being shifted over to the client side.


Depending on the client device in question for some users, there will be certain changes while with others there will be none. For example, if you are a macOS/iOS user, this new update and lack of support for managing those file formats on the BeeStation side will have zero effect (as it did on the DSM side as well).
Importing from a macOS device over the Safari browser or using an iOS device with the BeeFiles/BeePhotos mobile app, all popular formats are supported including HEVC and HEIC.
Thumbnail generation is working as expected, and the MOV-type files can be played inside the web interface.



What continues to lack, if we are comparing BeeFiles/Photos with their obvious origin inside DSM's Photos app, is the photo request option. While it can make sense to not include something like that inside BeePhotos considering it is geared towards a smaller number of users, it would still be beneficial to have this feature.


Another element that is also present on both mobile and desktop versions of BeePhotos is the lack of folder view that Synology Photos supports. BeeStation is sharing this feature across both BeeFiles and BeePhotos, making a clear cut between the two, but sometimes using a folder view instead of a timeline or albums could come in handy.


Over the past year since BeeStation came out, Synology has published multiple patches for both the OS and mobile apps fixing some user-reported errors, but this is the first release that will step up in terms of new features.
One of those is support from Microsoft OneDrive for Business. OneDrive was supported on the release day, but the business variant will be supported with this 1.1 BSM version.


Nothing has changed so far in terms of the underlying engine that will communicate with OneDrive. Synology CloudSync is still the package responsible for either a one or two-way sync with all public clouds, including OneDrive for Business.

Synology is making an effort to elevate BeeStation as a potential replacement for their "J" NAS series, and with more features coming, it looks like that might happen. One particular option that might prove this case is BSM support to become a DSM Hyper Backup destination. Considering it already uses HyperBackup under the hood and the fact that we can access BSM backup vaults using HyperBackup Explorer, it might only be a matter of time.
While that is not the case with this BSM 1.1 version, we look forward to this and other new features in the future.