Running virtual machine on Synology NAS


A part of the Synology NAS offers the possibility to install one (or more) virtual machines. Theoretically, it means you could run Windows 10. In practice, for most models, ‘only’ Linux (and DOS) variants run smoothly. Windows is rather top-heavy for these kinds of applications. We will start with the currently most recent DSM 7 as a basis.

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A virtual machine is a ‘PC’ that is simulated by a combination of software and hardware. The relatively simple CPUs used in Synology NAS also support hardware acceleration of virtualization. However, some of the models actually have just too little RAM built in to get started with VMs seriously.

Many Synology’s are delivered with only 2 GB on board. With that, you can actually not even install most text-based Linux variants. FreeDOS is just barely going. That’s because the operating system of the NAS – called DSM (Disk Station Manager) at Synology – also needs some RAM.

Expanding RAM is officially only ‘allowed’ with modules from Synology itself. Experience shows that most modules from other brands (provided that they meet the required specifications of a model) also work fine. But you will lose your warranty if you use alternatives. A little bland, but it is what it is.

Also read: Expand NAS with extra storage, memory and more

Sadly, Synology only supplies 4 and 16 GB modules. 4 GB is too expensive (but still affordable) compared to modules from other brands. And 16 GB is exceptionally expensive.

In short: for most people it will remain with the installation of a 4GB RAM module from Synology. Depending on your NAS model, this usually yields a total amount of RAM of 6 or 8 GB. And that’s enough to run most Linux distros. Assuming that you reserve 4 (or possibly 6) GB of RAM for the VM; 2 GB is needed for DSM itself.

Go for Linux, Windows less suitable

As mentioned, we do not recommend that you start working with Windows 10 as a VM. Unless you use a very expensive server rack with a heavier CPU, but still. Windows just isn’t the most convenient system to virtualize on smaller systems. Linux feels much more at home there. Debian is particularly interesting, because it is a nice light distro that is nevertheless very versatile.

As an example, in this article we are going to install Debian as a VM. But nothing prevents you from trying something like Ubuntu or Mint, or one of the many other flavors available. You’ll see that some run faster and smoother than others, just try what works best for your hardware and applications.

Virtual Machine Manager

To install a virtual machine on your Synology NAS, the first thing you need to check is whether the necessary software – Virtual Machine Manager – is available. Look for it in the Package Center app. If it is there, install it.

If you don’t see Virtual Machine Manager in Package Center, then your model does not support this feature. If you have installed Virtual Machine Manager, the next step is to expand the RAM in your device. See the manual of your NAS for this.

Once that is also arranged, you must download Debian installation ISO. Then save that ISO file to one of the shared folders on your NAS(!).

Now Virtual Machine Manager can be started. In the column on the left, tap Virtual Machine and then right click the button To make. In the first step of the wizard that starts, select the option Linux.

Tap on Next one and then in the step Select storage up again Next one.

Set up CPU and RAM

Now it’s time to give your virtual machine a name. Come up with something logical, because this name will soon be used in the list of VMs that arises. Especially if you are going to create several VMs over time, some overview is useful.

Then it’s time to think about the ‘construction’ of your virtual computer. With CPUs it is best – experience shows – 3 fill. This results in a responsive virtual system, which still neatly leaves a core free for DSM. If you want to get the most out of the can, you can also go for 4 to go. But that does add a slightly higher system load, which can make regular DSM tasks somewhat slower. Matter of trying.

If you’re going to install a Linux version without a GUI, a 1-core virtual CPU may also work just fine, depending on the task assigned to that system. In terms of memory, the sweet spot for Debian (and many other Linux distros) is 4 GB. If you have a NAS with 8 GB of RAM in total, you can consider allocating 6 GB, but whether that yields a lot of speed gains depends very much on what you do with the VM.

If you have a NAS with more than 16 GB, you can allocate more RAM, think of 8 GB. You can leave the other settings in this step for what they are, then click or tap again Next one.

Virtual hard disk

Time to set up the storage space for your VM, in this example we are going for 60 GB. But it could of course be more or less. All depending on the amount of free storage of your NAS that you want to sacrifice for your VM. And of course also for what you think you need within your virtual machine.

If more is ever needed, you can always add an extra virtual hard drive in the future. click on Next one. In the step Configure network you only have to Next one to click.

Click behind ISO file for startup: on the button To leaf through and browse to the folder (on your NAS) where you saved the Debian ISO file and select it. Choose behind Virtual USB controller: in front of USB 3.0 if you also want to use USB devices (printer, memory stick or whatever) plugged into your NAS within your VM. Leave the other settings for what they are, then click again Next one.

Install and reboot operating system

Choose the users who are allowed to access your virtual machine, followed by a click on Next one. You will now see an overview of all settings related to your settings. Satisfied? Then click Completed. The virtual machine will be created, which may take a few seconds. When this process is complete, select the machine with a mouse click, followed by a click on Switch.

Wait a moment and then click the button Make a connection. This will open a new tab in your browser with a virtual screen in it. If you clicked that button a little too early, the connection in that tab may fail. Then wait a moment and click To connect. The Debian (or whatever other system you have chosen) installation process begins. Go through the installation wizard and finally your system is set up.

When prompted to remove the installation CD/DVD at the end of the procedure, click the previous browser tab containing Virtual Machine Manager. Click on the button there Action (with your VM selected) then click To process.

In the window that opens, click Others and choose in the selection menu behind ISO file for startup: for the option Disconnected. Then restart the machine via the tab with the virtual desktop. In principle, everything should now run as it should.

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