Synology Virtual Machine Manager and Virtual DSM Explained
Synology Virtual Machine Manager and Virtual DSM: Making NAS virtualization bigger for businesses
Synology officially released Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) and Virtual DSM in November 2017. This changed Synology NAS from a storage platform to a flexible virtualization environment.
As more and more IT companies started using virtualization, and research showed that most x86 workloads had already moved to virtualized environments, Synology changed its role from storage provider to infrastructure enabler. With Virtual Machine Manager, businesses could run Windows, Linux, and Virtual DSM instances directly on supported Synology NAS models, combining storage and computing into one platform.
Flexible Resource Allocation for Environments That Are Growing
Virtual Machine Manager lets administrators assign CPU, memory, and storage resources to virtual machines on the fly. This flexibility makes it possible to run different types of workloads, like application servers, development environments, and lightweight infrastructure services.
When virtual machines are set up in clustered environments, live migration lets them move between hosts without stopping service. This feature is very useful in businesses where uptime is very important and maintenance windows need to be as short as possible.
The clustering architecture makes things even more reliable by letting you manage more than one Synology NAS device from a single portal. IT teams can share tasks while still keeping control in one place.
Using Btrfs to make snapshots and copies more efficient
One of the best things about Virtual Machine Manager is that it works with the Btrfs file system. Btrfs makes it possible to quickly take snapshots and copy virtual machines.
This feature lets administrators:
- Set up automatic snapshots
- Make plans for replication to help with disaster recovery
- Get virtual machines back up and running in seconds
For businesses that have to deal with mission-critical workloads, snapshot-based recovery cuts down on downtime and operational disruption by a lot.
Virtual DSM: NAS virtualization inside NAS
Virtual DSM makes the Synology ecosystem even more flexible by letting DiskStation Manager run as a virtual machine. You can run multiple Virtual DSM instances on one physical NAS, which makes separate environments.
This architecture allows for:
- Deployments with multiple tenants
- Environments for development and testing
- Services that are split up on one piece of hardware
Organizations can improve security and make management easier by putting workloads into separate Virtual DSM instances. This also makes better use of hardware.
The Importance of NAS-Based Virtualization for Businesses
In the past, virtualization platforms needed separate storage arrays and hypervisors. Synology NAS systems can be used as virtualization hosts for small to medium-sized businesses with the help of Virtual Machine Manager.
This method makes the infrastructure less complicated, reduces the amount of hardware needed, and lowers the total cost of ownership. It is especially appealing to branch offices, remote sites, and businesses that want virtualization options that don’t cost a lot of money but still keep the main functions of the business.
Hardware Platforms That Work
Virtual Machine Manager works with a lot of different Synology models from different series, such as enterprise rackmount systems and desktop units that are built for performance. This wide range of compatibility means that businesses can use virtualization on their current infrastructure instead of having to buy completely new platforms.
Things to think about when deploying strategically
Virtual Machine Manager gives you a lot of options, but you need to plan ahead.
Businesses should think about:
- The amount of memory and CPU
- RAID configuration and storage performance
- Throughput and redundancy in the network
- Design for snapshots and replication
Sizing the workload must make sure that virtualization doesn’t get in the way of the NAS’s main backup or file services.
About the Epis Technology
Epis Technology helps businesses create and set up Synology environments that are ready for virtualization and meet their performance and resilience goals. Epis Technology offers Synology consulting, large storage solutions, backups for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, fully managed backups for PCs, and planning for business continuity. Epis Technology lets businesses safely combine workloads while keeping high availability, data protection, and operational efficiency by adding Virtual Machine Manager to structured infrastructure strategies.