Synology 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

Click to Read More

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 “Preferences” 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 “Import”.

4: Here is the outcome to the importation. You can now click on “Power on this virtual machine”. 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 Disk  which contains the boot loader).

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


6: Open the “Synology Assistant”, 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 “Search”. If you didn’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 “Again”. 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 “DSM_DS3622xs+_42661.pat” in the folder where you unzipped the package downloaded previously.

9: Finally, click on “Next” and confirm that the installation can override the disk… (You can safely tick the "I understand..." it’s the virtual Hard Disk member of the VM. No worry ;) )

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 it’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: It’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)

Synology Setup DSM 7.0.1 in a Virtual Synology DS918+ using VMWare

Here is a step by step "How-To create a Virtual Machine to emulate a DS918+ running DSM 7.0.1" using VMWare and a Loader from redpill

THIS DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE (?): issue betwen the .pat file version and the loader => Try the DSM 7.1 with DS3622+ available here

Click to Read More

As for my previous packaging (DSM 6.2.2 on DS918+), I simply used various tutorials from internet to create a VM in VMWare 15 and exported this one as ovf

1: Download and unzip this package, containing:

  • the configuration of the virtual machine (dsm.ovf, disk.vmdk and synoboot.vmdk),
  • the boot file for DS918+ (synoboot-falt.vmdk) and
  • the image of the DSM 7.0.1 for DS198+ (DSM_DS918+_42218.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 “Preferences” 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 DSM918+ 7.0.1) and click “Import”.

4: Here is the outcome to the importation. You can now click on “Power on this virtual machine”. If you want, you may also first increase the Memory, the Processors or the size of the Hard Disk 2 (Do not touch the Hard Disk 1 which contains the boot loader).

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


6: Open the “Synology Assistant”, which is more efficient than the page http://find.synology.com to find your VM, and after 1 minute click on “Search”. If you didn’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 “Again”. 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 7.0.1 for DS918+ and Select the file “DSM_DS918+_42218.pat” in the folder where you unzipped the package downloaded here previously.

9: Finally, click on “Next” and confirm that the installation can override the disk… it’s the virtual SCSI Hard Disk member of the VM. No worry ;)

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 it’s installing packages before being finally ready to "start"

13: You will now be able to login into the VM and configure it.

14: It’s now time to use the Hard Disk 2 to create a first Volume. Open the DSM Main Menu and start the Storage Manager.

15: Et voila, you have now a brand new DS918+ with the DSM 7.0.1-43 Update 2.

 

Raspberry Pi Run Raspberry Pi Desktop 4 in VMWare

Instead of testings new softwares or configs on my actual RPI, I do it in a VM Machine. Much easier to rollback if I do a mistake. There are many videos on YouTube to explain how to install the Raspberry Pi Desktop in VMWare.

Click to Read More

The ISO image of Raspberry Pi Desktop is available here.

I did create an VM, as illustrated here, with:

  • 4GB Memory
  • 32GB Hard Disk(SCSI)
  • USB 3 .1
  • And everything else "by default"
    • 1 processor
    • NAT Network Adapter
    • ...

I did:

  • a "Graphical Install" of the Raspberry Pi Desktop
  • enable SSH
  • keep the password "raspberry" for the user pi (with auto-login enabled)
  • configure the keyboard for me (Belgian - Azerty)
  • configure to location as Brussels/Belgium
  • install the VMWare-Tools (screen resolution maximized automatically)
  • Create an icon "Desktop Update" to update the packages via: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

And here attached in the resulting VM (a 4.5GB zip file). Download it, unzip and double click the file "Raspberry Pi 4.vmx" to open the VM into your VMWare Workstation.

Et voilà.

Tips VMWare Workstation not compatible with Windows 10

Starting a VM this morning, I got a new message "VMware Workstation and Device/Credential Guard are not compatible". To be able to run my VM, I had to disable this Credential Guard.

Click to Read More

Credential Guard uses virtualization to store credentials in protected containers separate from the OS. As a result, the information Credential Guard protects is safe even if malware or some other malicious attack penetrates an organization's network.

But it prevents VMWare to run VM's.

To disable it, copy this script in a file named "disableCG.ps1" in your personal home folder C:\Users\<Your Name>\

Run next a PowerShell as Administrator:

Pay Attention that this will reboot automatically your PC !!

In this PowerShell, execute: cd ~

Next execute : .\disableCG.ps1 -Disable -AutoReboot

You will see errors displayed in Red in the PowerShell. This won't be a problem. And after a minute, the PC will reboot.

During the reboot, you will be prompted to confirm that you really want to disable the Windows Defender Credential Guard. Press the Windows Key or F3 to confirm.

 

Other options : https://windowsreport.com/disable-credential-guard-windows-10/

Ex. Execute in a PowerShell run as Administrator: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

 

I also had to remove "Guarded Host" and "Hyper -V" via the Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off

But now, Docker does not run anymore on my PC as it needs Hyper-V :(