Setup DSM 7.1 in a Virtual Synology DS3622xs+ using VMWare

Here is a step by step “How-To create a Virtual Machine to emulate a DS3622xs+ running DSM 7.1” using VMWare and a Loader from redpill

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I used a tutorial from internet to create a VM in VMWare 16 and exported this one as ovf. Using that ovf, you can easily setup your own VM with a DS3622xs+ running DSM 7.1.

1: Download and unzip this package, containing:

  • the configuration of the virtual machine (dsm.ovf and two disk.vmk),
  • the boot file for DS3622xs+ (synoboot.vmdk) and
  • the image of the DSM 7.1 for DS3622xs+ (DSM_DS3622xs+_42661.pat)

2: Open VMWare Workstation. If you never configured the default location where you want to create your Virtual Machines, press CTRL-P to open the โ€œPreferencesโ€ panel. There, set this default location (I am using E:\VMWare).

3: Go next to “Windows Explorer”, in the folder where you have unzipped the package, and double click dsm.ovf. This is going to import the VM into VMWare. Type a name for the new virtual machine (I am using DSM3622xs+ 7.1) and click โ€œImportโ€.

4: Here is the outcome to the importation. You can now click on โ€œPower on this virtual machineโ€. If you want, you may also first increase the Memory, the Processors or the size of the Hard Disk 2 and 3 (Do not touch the first Hard Diskย  which contains the boot loader).

5: 5 sec after starting the VM, the bootloader will run:


6: Open the โ€œSynology Assistantโ€, which is more efficient than the page http://find.synology.com to find your VM, and after +/- 3 minutes (depending on the perf of your PC) click on โ€œSearchโ€. If you didnโ€™t wait long enough, you will see an Error message (In such a case, check that you have enabled the option “Allow compatibility with devices that do not support password encryption” in the preferences – via the gear icon in the top-right corner – and/or click Search โ€œAgainโ€. I never had to do this more than 3 times).

7: Finally, the Assistant will find your VM. A webpage should automatically open (Otherwise, double-click on the VM). Approve the EULA and click Install.

8: Click next on Browse to select the image of the DSM 7.1 for DS3622xs+ and Select the file โ€œDSM_DS3622xs+_42661.patโ€ in the folder where you unzipped the package downloaded previously.

9: Finally, click on โ€œNextโ€ and confirm that the installation can override the diskโ€ฆ (You can safely tick the “I understand…” itโ€™s the virtual Hard Disk member of the VM. No worry ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

10: The installation will take a few minutes

11: Once the installation complete, you will see in the VMWare Workstation that the VM is rebooting. On the installation page, you see a countdown.

12: You should soon see that itโ€™s installing packages before being finally ready to “start”

13: If you are requested to login into the VM, do it as “admin” without password and configure it. Next configure your new NAS (Do not accept automatic updates !!!).

I did skip the creation of Synology account and didn’t agree on Device Analytics or the display of this Nas in the Web Assistant.

14: Itโ€™s now time to use the Hard Disk 2 and 3 to create a first Volume. Open the DSM Main Menu and start the Storage Manager (Then, it’s just a next, next, next journey depending on which Disk Array you want).

15: Et voila, you have now a brand new DS3266xs+ with the DSM 7.1-42661 (DO NOT UPGRADE !!! The NAS would go into a “Recoverable” and I have no resolution for that)