Synology NAS - Docker Help

[Aspesi4]

I need some docker help. I utilize a Synology NAS as the hardware the runs the native Channels DVR app. There's a basic Docker package install within the Package Center on the Synology NAS that I have been using to run the jonmaddox-pluto and m0ngr31- eplustv1 packages. The issue is these are pulled in from Docker Hub. If the package isn't hosted on Docker Hub, I have no idea how to pull it in manually.

So the question is, I see all this text and these "pull" commands, but I have no idea how to implement them on a Synology NAS. I'm thinking its a separate package I need for the commands. Can anyone educate me on how to do this on a Synology NAS? I'm a little lost.

I'm specifically interested in getting the latest MLB package to work, but it's all commands prompts and Im not sure where to enter any of that.

[bnhf]

@Aspesi4

So the question is, I see all this text and these "pull" commands, but I have no idea how to implement them on a Synology NAS.

I'd suggest installing Portainer on your Synology NAS, which is a cross-platform WebUI for Docker. Once you have that done, you'll be able to use Docker Compose to spin-up whatever Channels related extension you like.

I've put together a summary of the known extensions here:

A docker-compose for every Channels-related extension -- suitable for Portainer-Stacks!

I've just updated my docker-compose examples, in OliveTin-for-Channels, for the many excellent container projects that are suitable for use with Channels -- via the WebUI for Docker -- Portainer. I thought I'd post them here as well, for anyone not using OliveTin yet. The idea with the way these yamls are structured, is that you shouldn't need to do ANY editing of the yaml itself, all installation specific values should be set via the environment variables in that section of Port…

Also @mjitkop and I created a way to implement these docker compose-based projects, and to create the custom source in Channels DVR itself, with "one-click":

Project One-Click: All-in-One Installations of Docker Extensions and CDVR Custom Channels

Now that there are a host of excellent Docker-based extensions for Channels DVR, @mjitkop and @bnhf thought it was about time we had an excellent way to install them! Specifically, an all-in-one "one-click" approach that would spin-up the container and do the Custom Channels setup as well. OliveTin and Portainer were perfect for this project, and are prerequisites. OliveTin provides the user interface for the minimal set of values you need to provide and Portainer, with its API, allows for the …

I haven't done the latest MLB project people are using yet (it'll be added soon-ish), but @slampman posted a Docker Compose for that here:

Mlb.tv update

For those of you who watch mlb through one of the docker containers... As you may be aware mlb changed their api last week and rendered the docker solutions unusable. One of the solutions I used prior was Tony Wagner's mlbserver. Once the api changed, he discontinued that project and has created a new one (plugin.video.mlbserver ) m3u support is working! If you want to set this up in preparation for the update, here is my portainer stacks info: version: "3" services: plugin.video.mlbserve…

[Aspesi4]

Much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough response.

Ill get Portainer installed stall.

Regarding the MLB container, I did get that to work. The reason is because Synology's stock Docker container will pull projects from Docker Hub, but unfortunately not everyone uses it for their projects.

Thanks again!

[chDVRuser]

@Aspesi4

If the package isn't hosted on Docker Hub, I have no idea how to pull it in manually.

Although the answer from @bnhf is the best/simplest way to go, you can pull images from other repositories. Check the Help pages for Container Manager on your NAS or on their website

Registry | Container Manager - Synology Knowledge Center

[jb7764]

I am running ChannelsDVR on a Synology NAS as well. Do I need to install Docker on the NAS and run it there to create new channel source links? Or create the link anywhere and just upload to a certain location on the NAS?

I thought this may be the case as I ran the commands on Docker For Windows on a PC, created the sources, added them to Channels. Worked fine til I turned off the PC. Yes, I am a newbie to Docker.

[chDVRuser]

You can run the Custom M3U Channels source dockers anywhere on your network.
I like running them on my NAS since it's up 7x24x365.

[jb7764]

I do not see a Docker package to install on my NAS. What/how did you host the container on the NAS?

[chDVRuser]

You need to have the Container Manager package on your Synology. Container Manager - Synology Knowledge Center to install and run docker containers.

There are multiple ways to install docker containers. Use the one you're most comfortable with.
I recommend installing portainer to use for pulling images, creating and updating containers using its stacks and docker compose.

Here are compose statements for the common Channels DVR docker containers you can use in portainer. A docker-compose for every Channels-related extension -- suitable for Portainer-Stacks!

If you install this Project, it will create the common Channels DVR containers and custom M3U channels sources for you. Project One-Click: All-in-One Installations of Docker Extensions and CDVR Custom Channels

[jagrim]

It's called Container Manager now.

[jb7764]

Unfortunately it appears my DSM 7.1.1.1 version doesn't have it. Can I just create the links/files on a PC and then place them on the NAS somewhere for Channels to reference?

[chDVRuser]

If you have an older NAS (like my older DS1513+), you can use the Docker package on it.

Release Notes for Docker | Synology Inc.

[Edwin_Perez]

Did you Install the package. ?

[chDVRuser]

Synology Container Manager is for DSM v7.2.x
Synology Docker is for DSM v7.1.x

[jb7764]

Synology has confirmed I can upgrade my DSM to 7.2 and then Docker and Container Manager will show up as packages to Install. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[rpaulmerrell]

Container manager is pretty nice.
I personally use a blend of container manager and command line through SSH to run different docker containers. The best part of Synology is that ist just works.

[jb7764]

I did the upgrade to DSM 7.22. But still no Docker or Container Package available. So I have ordered a new NAS - DS220+ with Intel chip.

Does anyone know of an alternative "lite" container application that may work with the older DS218 "J" model NAS?

[chDVRuser]

@jb7764

I did the upgrade to DSM 7.22. But still no Docker or Container Package available.

Ouch, you never said which model Synology you had. Most users run Channels DVR on a Plus series with Intel CPU.
If you would have looked at your data sheet https://global.synologydownload.com/download/Document/Hardware/DataSheet/DiskStation/18-year/DS218j/enu/Synology_DS218j_Data_Sheet_enu.pdf
Or checked packages for your model https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/download/DS218j?version=7.2#packages
Or checked Container Manager model compatability https://www.synology.com/en-us/dsm/packages/ContainerManager?os_ver=7.2&search=docker
You would see your model isn't compatible with Docker or Container Manager.

@jb7764

Does anyone know of an alternative "lite" container application that may work with the older DS218 "J" model NAS?

None that I know of.

[jb7764]

Actually, I have never had any issues with Channels on current NAS. But I just ordered a DS220+ with Intel chip, because I need a NAS that will run Docker (if Channels is going to be useful any longer).

I plan to move two HD's from old to new NAS. Synology has a pretty simple process to do so.

As for ChannelsDVR, do I need to do anything/change any settings after moving disks? Also, Channels will get new IP on different device. How do I navigate that? Thanks.

[chDVRuser]

@jb7764

I plan to move two HD's from old to new NAS. Synology has a pretty simple process to do so.

As for ChannelsDVR, do I need to do anything/change any settings after moving disks?

If you can move the two HDD's from the old to new NAS and all data stays intact, then no.

Obviously if moving the drives requires reformatting, then you need to backup everything, setup the new nas, reinstall and restore.

I would do a database backup on your existing Channels DVR as a precaution, then stop the Channels DVR package before shutting down the old nas.

@jb7764

Also, Channels will get new IP on different device. How do I navigate that?

Not sure what you're asking.
You reach your DVR web admin UI at ip_address:port. If the ip_address changes you use the new ip_address. If you're using bonjour and/or remote access you will have to toggle them off, then back on, on the new nas.

[chDVRuser]

@jb7764

I plan to move two HD's from old to new NAS. Synology has a pretty simple process to do so.

Hopefully you read their knowledge article How do I migrate data between Synology NAS via HDD migration (DSM 6.0 and later)? - Synology Knowledge Center
and followed the links. A lot to read.

One of the things that stood out was this

Model   CPU Model                     Cores  Threads   FPU      Package Arch    RAM
DS218j  Marvell Armada 385 88F6820      2       2       ✓       Armada38x       DDR3 512MB
DS220+ 	Intel Celeron J4025             2       2       ✓       Geminilake      DDR4 2GB

If the package architecture of your source NAS is
88f628x (that's your DS218j), Alpine, Alpine4k, Evansport, Monaco, Ppc853x, or Qoriq,
you can only migrate drives to models with the same package architecture as your source NAS.
Otherwise, using HDD migration might result in all DSM configurations and package settings
being lost after migration. Only user data in the volumes will remain intact.

Re-configuring package settings is required after migration. Original package data and tasks are lost.