With the release of DSM 7, Synology introduced stricter hardware checks and a newer Linux kernel. The "Red Pill" loader was developed to bypass these checks by patching the kernel in memory during the boot process. Hyper-V provides a robust Type-1 hypervisor environment, making it an ideal candidate for hosting a virtual NAS.
: Use Generation 1 (preferred for legacy bootloader compatibility in most guides).
The TinyCore Redpill loader must be compiled specifically for your virtual hardware environment to inject the correct network drivers.
Virtualized configurations add an extra layer of complexity. Always maintain an independent backup of critical data (using 3-2-1 backup principles) external to the XPenology VM.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to setting up, configuring, and optimizing Xpenology DSM 7 within a Hyper-V environment. What is Xpenology DSM 7? xpenology dsm 7 hyperv
Skip the creation of a Synology Account (QuickConnect will not work reliably on XPenology hardware and can lead to account bans). Configuring Storage Pools Inside DSM, open the main menu and launch . Click Create Now to build a new storage pool and volume. Choose your RAID type:
Choose Generation 1 . DSM loaders traditionally use BIOS/Legacy boot.
Generate a random and Mac Address within the loader utility.
When running XPenology, users have a choice of hypervisors like ESXi, Proxmox, or VirtualBox. Hyper-V is a Type 1 hypervisor, meaning it runs directly on the hardware, offering near-native performance and better resource management than a Type 2 hypervisor like VirtualBox. If you are already running Windows Server or Windows 10/11 Pro/Enterprise, Hyper-V is integrated and ready to use without any additional cost, making it an ideal platform for home labs and small businesses. With the release of DSM 7, Synology introduced
Use to flash this .img file to a small VHDX file, or directly to a physical USB drive if you prefer to boot the VM from a USB stick.
In the right-hand Actions panel, click .
Download the appropriate Synology DSM update file for your chosen model (e.g., DS920+, DS3622xs+). Win32DiskImager or BalenaEtcher . Step 1: Prepare the Boot Loader for Hyper-V XPEnology needs a bootloader virtual disk to function. Download the ARPL/RR .img file .
When configuring your loader, select a model that aligns with standard x86 virtualization: : Use Generation 1 (preferred for legacy bootloader
Running Xpenology DSM 7 on Hyper-V provides a powerful, professional-grade NAS experience with the benefits of virtualization. By carefully preparing your loader and managing your virtual resources, you can achieve a stable system that offers almost all the features of a genuine Synology NAS.
Select . The system will download dependencies directly from Synology servers and compile your custom boot sector. Once built, select Boot System . Step 4: Install Synology DSM 7
At least 2GB (4GB+ recommended). Uncheck "Use Dynamic Memory" if you want the best performance. Configure Networking: Choose your external virtual switch. Create Virtual Hard Disk:
Save the resulting .vhdx file to a secure directory where you plan to store your VM files. Step 2: Create the Hyper-V Virtual Machine Open on your Windows host.
