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Forum Discussion
scowenhoven
May 26, 2026Aspirant
Xpenology - ReadyNAS 628X
Hello! Since the ReadyNAS is no longer supported, has anyone installed Xpenology on a 628x? If so, are there any documented instructions or videos that you followed? I currently also have a Syn...
tigerten
Jun 26, 2026Luminary
628x has the exact CPU as RS3618xs. It runs flawlessly. However, you need a video card to do this. Without that, you cant do anything. The Xeon processor does not come with a GPU.
- SandsharkJun 27, 2026Sensei
I don't know why the console serial connection can't be used to install Xpenology as it is with other alternate OSes. But while I've seen this question elsewhere, I've not seen anyone post that they did it successfully. I understand the ARC loader can also install Xpenology completely headless via USB boot and a network connection, so that should work on a 628x. While the 628x has a PCIE slot, finding a video card that will fit in the available space would be difficult, if not impossible (I've not tried). But if it's only temporary to install an OS, you could use an extension cable and install it externally.
To get the 628x to boot from a device other than the internal flash requires that you physically remove the flash DOM and use the console connection (or video card connection if you figure out how to get one installed) to modify the BIOS settings. If you change the boot device away from the internal flash and don't remove it, the BIOS will revert to internal flash. A bigger DOM could also be used for an alternate OS boot device, but it's only USB2.
Many installing an alternate OS on the 600 series utilize an M.2 drive (SATA only) for the OS in the internal M.2 slot.
- scowenhovenJul 29, 2026Aspirant
Thanks for the info! So it sounds like the ReadyNAS OS is installed on the M.2 drive. So I can replace it and install another OS as long as I can get into the BIOS, change the boot order, and remove internal flash. I take it I can replace the M.2 drive to revert back to the ReadyNAS OS.
- SandsharkJul 30, 2026Sensei
By default, there is no M.2 drive -- just an empty slot. But that is where many who have a unit with the M.2 slot (52x and 62x units) do install an alternate OS. OS6 is installed on the drives, but is booted via a reduced OS run from a USB DOM. To boot from anything other than the DOM without interaction, the DOM must be removed. Re-installing the DOM does revert to OS6 so long as you've kept its contents intact, as OS install is also performed from it.
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