DSM 7.2+ on Proxmox with arpl-i18n
Tags: xpenology, dsm, proxmox, tutorial
Published: 2023-08-25 20:26:31

In this article, I will cover the installation of DSM 7.2+ on [Proxmox](https://www.proxmox.com/) with [arpl-i18n](https://github.com/wjz304/arpl-i18n).

## Introduction
### What is Proxmox
Proxmox is an open-source virtualisation management platform that combines virtualisation (KVM) and containerisation (LXC) technologies, enabling the management of virtual machines and containers on a single integrated platform.

### What is ARPL-i18n
Automated Redpill Loader (i18n) is a project that was created to facilitate the configuration of Redpill, a loader for DSM. 

## Prepare the host
On the host machine, you will need `curl` or `wget`, `unzip` and optionally `file`.
You can install them by running : 
```sh
apt install wget file unzip
```

## Create the VM
To run the DSM, create an empty VM with **no disk** and **4 GB+ of RAM**. Leave everything else to the default value.

![VM creation example using the web interface of Proxmox](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/j0g2lpuutaccgp7juoir.gif)

## Download ARPL-i18n
Go to the [releases section](https://github.com/wjz304/arpl-i18n/releases) of the GitHub repository, copy the download link of the latest `arpl-i18n-XX.XX.XX.img.zip` and download the file directly from the host :


```sh
wget "https://github.com/wjz304/arpl-i18n/releases/download/XX.XX.XX/arpl-i18n-XX.XX.XX.img.zip"
unzip arpl-i18n-XX.XX.XX.img.zip
file arpl-i18n-XX.XX.XX.img
```

## Import the image to the VM
`arpl.img` is a disk image containing the loader.
```shell
root@nas ~# file arpl.img
arpl.img: DOS/MBR boot sector
```

We have to convert it to use it in Proxmox. We use `qm importdisk` for that :
```sh
qm importdisk <VMID> arpl.img local-lvm
```

## Add a virtual serial port to the VM
DSM uses the serial port. So we configure it.

```sh
qm set <VMID> -serial0 socket
```

## Configure the VM with the arpl disk
Go to the Hardware interface section of the VM and double-click on the newly `Unused disk` to attach it to the VM. Make sure to select **SATA**.
![Proxmox dialog for unused disk configuration](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/e0rw1rvwrax77ef0uw5c.png)

Go to the Options section and update the boot order to include the disk.
![Boot order dialog box with SATA0 enabled and at the top](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/udaq64iyr992nzai3xox.png)

## Pass through disks to proxmox VM
For best performances, I will pass my disk directly to the VM. I will let Synology manage the disks.
Here is the [official documentation](https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Passthrough_Physical_Disk_to_Virtual_Machine_(VM)#Update_Configuration).

In my case, I will use :
```sh
# List all the disks
lsblk |awk 'NR==1{print $0" DEVICE-ID(S)"}NR>1{dev=$1;printf $0" ";system("find /dev/disk/by-id -lname \"*"dev"\" -printf \" %p\"");print "";}'|grep -v -E 'part|lvm'

# Add the corresponding to the VM
qm set VMID -sata2 /dev/disk/by-id/ata-....
qm set VMID -sata1 /dev/disk/by-id/ata-....
```

:bangbang: | ARPL only support SATA
:---: | :---

## Configure the loader
Time to boot the VM!
In the boot selection, go to `Configure the loader`.

![First launch Boot menu of arpl-i18n](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1bm1zk3kkkpg4cp8fccp.png)

When the prompt is available, launch the configuration menu with
```sh
menu.sh
```


First, choose a model. I use `DSM923+`, which is a recent one. 

Then, choose a version. I will go for `7.2`. Check the URL and press Enter.

Then, `Build the loader`. It will download the DSM and install the DSM.

![Example of configuration](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bsvkzsa3eu1foghjpd11.gif)

Finally, `Boot the loader.`

## Connect to the DSM and install it

After a few moments, arpl shows the IP address of the DSM. Connect to the page and configure it as you wish. 

:bangbang: | Make sure to **disable automatic update.**
:---: | :---

![arpl-i18n boot information](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qztmekunpq7yenx09hd7.png)


Et voilà! You have a fully functional NAS in a VM with DSM 7.2+. 


![Synology homepage](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/csbhndcummhr0jrm1dxz.png)



## Bibliography
https://github.com/wjz304/arpl-i18n
https://github.com/fbelavenuto/arpl
https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Passthrough_Physical_Disk_to_Virtual_Machine_(VM)#List_disk_by-id_with_lsblk