HowTo: Install VBox Synology DSM 4.2.3202 onto x86 ReadyNAS

MattyShack, this is probably a stupid question, but how do you get DiskStation to see a share on your ReadyNAS? I see where you can create a share on the DiskStation, but I'm not sure how to map to a share somewhere else.

Thanks!

I don't have this currently running, but if memory serves me correctly:

1. Make sure the interested ReadyNAS directory can be seen and reached from any PC on your network. I'm using Windows 8 Pro, so typing \\IP_of_ReadyNas\Interested_directory into Internet Explorer should open a window to access its contents.
2. Make sure you can add/delete files and directories from IE.
3. DiskStation's Web File Manager uses java. Make sure your PC has Java installed and your browser supports it.
4. Access the DiskStation web interface file manager and create a remote link/map to your ReadyNAS directory. You should give it full access permissions. Also, make sure you set it to automatically remap at boot. I gave my DiskStation's link a different name so that I would remember whether I was assessing the ReadyNAS share directly or the DiskStation remote map. ie ReadyNAS = "backup" while the remote directory using DiskStation = "Network_backup".

\\IP_of_DiskStation_VM\remote_directory = \\IP_of_ReadyNas\local_directory

If everything works, you should be able to store files directly into the ReadyNAS Shares from your DiskStation VM. So you could, for example, run SABnzbd in the VM, but store all files on the ReadyNAS. NOTE: I've found that the python usenet apps do require lots of VM RAM and work best with multiple dedicated cpu cores if you want them to work well. If you are running VBox on a stock ReadyNAS with original CPU and memory, you will likely have problems running complex apps inside of a VM.

Thanks! I was able to map to one of my ReadyNAS shares, and it appears to be working properly. Now I just need to learn the in's and out's of DiskStation. I'm hoping that my Pro will put up with it since I upgraded the CPU to an E6600 and installed 4GB of RAM. I appreciate all the help. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon. :-)

Oh! And I already have one: How do you install the VBox Guest Additions? I haven't figured that out, and I'm not even sure if I need them.

Thanks!

As far as I understand, you would install VBox Guest Additions into the guest VM running inside of VBox, not the Host NAS running VBox.
It allows guest VM's to directly access some of the system resources of the Host NAS; like USB device nodes as well as the Host's files and directives.
I have not needed this feature because it is possible to remote directory map access between the Host and Guest.
I suppose it would be more necessary if you plugged a USB camera into the Host, but wanted apps running on the VM to access the CAM.

I've avoided trying to figure out VBox Guest Additions by using the host to control/access any USB devices.

OK, cool. Sounds like I don't need it. Thanks!

MattyShack, have you tried upgrading DSM, or do you definitely need a modified package for that?

I could not figure out how to upgrade from inside the VM, but I did figure out you can take one of the repacked 4.2.3211 x86_64 images, convert it into a VBox compatible image, and replace the 3202 VBox image, it will boot and migrate the entire VM to 3211. Make sure you run the Synology Assistant to help with the migration. Your 3211 repacked image should have the Intel Pro/1000 MT Desktop kernel network drivers already baked in so that VBox can bridge the virtual network between the DSM and the ReadyNAS. If the Synology VM is running, but you can't connect usually means no Intel network driver was found. This method should work for any future DSM provided someone posted a x86_64 repack of the model you are emulating and that image also has the correct Intel network driver for VBox to bridge the the VM and ReadyNAS.

PS: Make sure the VBox DSM VM MAC and the DSM VM MAC are identical. You can find the DSM VM MAC by watching the VBox simulated VGA Console output after starting DSM. Synology Assistant will also give you the MAC.

Hope this helps.