RR Loader - so simple to use and oh so great for DSM 7.2! - plenty of addons like Advanced Media Extensions for Synology Photos, etc.

[Rhubarb]

I am so impressed with the RR Loader (available from GITHUB) as a replacement for the ARPL  The RR loader is in active development (latest download 24.7.3 available from https://github.com/RROrg/rr

 

I have an extensive Photos library.  Using the RR loader addons feature, I was able to enable the Synology Advanced Media Extensions app, enabling all the HEIC (Apple iPhone photos) to now be displayed in the Synology Photos app.  Synology device serial numbers are also no longer an issue here either!

Similarly, activation of Synology's Advanced Backup application is no longer a problem.

My main DSM box (Intel i7-14700K) and my second test system (Xeon E3-1245v6) are both running DSM 7.2.1-69057.  Plex Media Server is running well on both boxes - I'm yet to see a need for the addition of any graphics card/GPU to either system.  Using these 'high power' processors enables xPenology boxes overcome many of the disadvantages of the lower powered consumer Synology devices; particularly in relation to defeating long time processing of photos, etc.  

 

Build your own xPenology device with a current model high-end CPU, and then you have a really powerful NAS.

 

Rhubarb

 

 

Edited July 28, 2024 by Rhubarb
added extra info

[TrickyTrix]

Since you are mentioning it I got to ask, if I write to the Synology user support with RR loader on my device, will they know that my system is not genuine?

[Rhubarb]

Depending on the context of your message and how you frame your question they'll be able to make a reasonable assessment of whether you've got a genuine Synology device; or not!  I'd think you'd have a bit of a "hide" asking for support from the vendor when you didn't purchase the product from him in the first place.

Anyone who is happy to go the xPenology route will generally have a genuine Synology somwhere in their background experience.  Alternatively, they have gone to xpenology because they have a skill-set working with IT equipment & software.

Also, the users of the Xpenology and Synology forums; Github; Plex forums; and many other web-sites are sure to have the answers to general questions regarding usage of Synology Photos and how to deal with operational issues that might arise. I'd hesitate to ask Synology for asistance with Synology Photos if you didn't own a 'supported' Synology device that was causing software operational issues.

[TrickyTrix]

Where can I then enter my valid serial number (change the generic one)? I don't see the option in the RR loader menu.

[Rhubarb]

Hey dude (@TrickTrix), are you just picky, or haven't you even tried it yet?

The loader will deal with the Serial number issue automatically; or you can insert the S/N you want to use when configuring the loader if you want to use a specific S/N, Mac address, etc.  The amount of configuration you want is totally up to you: or just accept the loader's auto configuration.  The loader let's you select the addon modules that deal with things like Synology Photos; Advanced Backup; etc.  Just give it a try first! 

[TrickyTrix]

I'm using it at the moment, it's working great, but I couldn't find the menu to change the serial key.

I finally found it in the Cmdline menu. Please tell me where is the option to activate Advanced Media Extension in addons menu?

Edited August 1, 2024 by TrickyTrix

[TrickyTrix]

...

Edited August 1, 2024 by TrickyTrix

[Rhubarb]

Hi @TrickyTrix,

glad to see that you've made some progress. 

I'm no expert but from my usage of the RR loader and in answer to your particular question about using a particular serial number:

1. Once you enter the RR loader Main menu you will see:

 

 

2. Selecting 'a' for the Addons menu will bring up:         

Here you can figure the desired Addons.  Those Addons selected will show in blue.

3. To change the Serial number (and Mac address, if desired), select the loader's Advanced menu, (item 'v') from the Main menu, above.

Once in here, select 'h' to edit the grub.cfg file and change from the automatically generated Serial number (and Mac addresses, if desired), to change to your specifically chosen details.                                         

 

 

AS I said, I'm no expert but this Is what I've been happy to ascertain from my use of the system.  I'm sure you, and many others, will be happy to experience the ease and convenience of this loader.

 

[Rhubarb]

Sorry @TrickyTrix, I just realised that I didn't give the fix to activating the Advanced Media Extension for Synology Photos.  From memory, I think you need to enable the codepatch addon in the addons menu.  If that doesn't work, you'll have to play around with the other enabled (shown 'blue') in the addons list.  I know that AME is activated in my test box and it wasn't activated until I selected all the addons shown in 'blue', above.

[Rhubarb]

Well....damn!  I played around with my test box to check what I'd said above.  Now I've broken my activated AME.  Sorry people😑

Guess I'll try again.....more research required.

[Froldn]

В 30.07.2024 в 13:20, Rhubarb сказал:

Depending on the context of your message and how you frame your question they'll be able to make a reasonable assessment of whether you've got a genuine Synology device; or not!  I'd think you'd have a bit of a "hide" asking for support from the vendor when you didn't purchase the product from him in the first place.

Anyone who is happy to go the xPenology route will generally have a genuine Synology somwhere in their background experience.  Alternatively, they have gone to xpenology because they have a skill-set working with IT equipment & software.
 

Also, the users of the Xpenology and Synology forums; Github; Plex forums; and many other web-sites are sure to have the answers to general questions regarding usage of Synology Photos and how to deal with operational issues that might arise. I'd hesitate to ask Synology for asistance with Synology Photos if you didn't own a 'supported' Synology device that was causing software operational issues.  Similarly, when I was developing applications, I contacted Cogniteq. They have a helpful article (here) for those considering developing applications.

Those who choose the xPenology route tend to have long Synology experience. Or they chose xPenology because they have IT hardware and software skills.

Also, users of the Xpenology and Synology forums, Github, Plex, and many other websites are likely to find answers to common questions about using Synology Photos and troubleshooting operational issues that may arise. I would not contact Synology for help with Synology Photos unless you have a “supported” Synology device that is experiencing software issues.

[Rhubarb]

On 8/2/2024 at 8:05 PM, Rhubarb said:

Well....damn!  I played around with my test box to check what I'd said above.  Now I've broken my activated AME.  Sorry people😑

Guess I'll try again.....more research required.

I've been gone a while sorting out my AME. Plus upgrading drives on my test system.  All's good now; Advanced Media Extension is activated again and performing well thanks, particularly, to the RR loader😃

Edited August 10, 2024 by Rhubarb
added extra info

[Rayqusa]

I have tried it and wont booting on my primary nas.

 

so return to m-shell

[Rhubarb]

I guess YMMV (your mileage may vary). Even if I did know what your system is, I don't presume to know the difficulties you experienced and the reasons for your lack of success.

In my case with an Intel i7-14700K and 64GB ECC DDR5 in one box and an Intel Xeon E3-1245v6 with 32GB ECC DDR3 in the other, I have found the RR Loader extremely user friendly and easy to use.

[Rhubarb]

Just updated my test box from RR loader v24.8.4 to v24.8.6 by choosing item 'p Update menu' from the loader's Main Menu.

1.Loader's Main Menu screen now shows "RR v24.8.6 DS3622xs+(broadwellnk) 7.2(69057u4)" S/N & ip above the Main Menu for the Loader Config. screen.

2.Next to reconfigure loader (only if you so decide)!

Option "m  Choose a model" ... in my case I'll stick with DS3622xs+

3.Optionally "n  Choose a version" ... I'm sticking with my current DSM version 7.2

4. I'm sticking with existing config so I by-pass other Main Menu items and select "d  Build the loader"

..... On completion of the build (after a couple of minutes) the Main Menu will reload with the cursor on option "b  Boot the loader"

5.In my case, I simply select the boot option and press <Enter>

 

What I like so much about this loader is the way it simplifies the AME validation process for xPenology systems by avoiding any need to connect back to Synology for validation of the Advanced Media Extension software.

Thank you RR Org for this valuable utility.

[aaaa1111]

RR works great for me. After months of ARC glitches.

What is really concern now - is there a way to control fan and cpu speed ? (i am on Terramaster 5095 Jasper Lake).

RR Manager somehow being installed but doesn't starts up.

[audiophile20]

Hi all, Trying to implement RR based Xpenology on the following hw.  ASRock Rack Intel motherboard model EC266D2, CPU Intel Xeon E-2434 (4-core), and a 8-Drive array.

 

I am able to RUN rr software and get to loader customization screens, make the mods needed, compile the loader.  The problem is when trying to run DSM the NAS goes into to a "Reboot Loop".

 

I have tried various DSM combinations and still same problem.  I am assuming my HW could be to blame??? or some setting specific to ASRock boards?

 

I am not a UNIX expert.  So I am asking the community if anyone has seen this issue before?  Thanks in advance for your response.

Edited March 18 by audiophile20

[wjz304]

1 hour ago, audiophile20 said:

Hi all, Trying to implement RR based Xpenology on the following hw.  ASRock Rack Intel motherboard model EC266D2, CPU Intel Xeon E-2434 (4-core), and a 8-Drive array.

 

I am able to RUN rr software and get to loader customization screens, make the mods needed, compile the loader.  The problem is when trying to run DSM the NAS goes into to a "Reboot Loop".

 

I have tried various DSM combinations and still same problem.  I am assuming my HW could be to blame??? or some setting specific to ASRock boards?

 

I am not a UNIX expert.  So I am asking the community if anyone has seen this issue before?  Thanks in advance for your response.

You need to share your configured and environment, others can't identify the problem by looking at the motherboard and CPU.

[ManS-H]

Hello, I am using RROrg to my full satisfaction. Just have a question, can I also install RROrg on an SSD instead of a USB Stick?

[Rhubarb]

Hi @Thanks AshleyManS-H, I'm glad you like the RR Loader and finding it helpful🙂

With regard to installation on an SSD - sorry, that's not something I've tried or know anything about.  

I have seen a number of people posing questions about booting from hard disk or SSD; but that's not something I've ever been interested enough in to follow up. I guess all you can do is google the matter if there's nothing on the xPenology community site relating to the issue.

Cheers!

[ManS-H]

Thanks for your answer. I will try Google to find a solution.

[wjz304]

3 hours ago, ManS-H said:

Thanks for your answer. I will try Google to find a solution.

[ManS-H]

Thanks, i will try it.👍

[wessu]

I got the DS918+ Model but I keep needing to use Jinlife patch for photos to enable face detection from his GitHub account

https://github.com/jinlife/Synology_Photos_Face_Patch

 

Now Synology Photos got updated again and I'm still waiting for the patch for the update.

Is there a Synology model I can switch to or use / database of models to select from that would use the CPU instead of the GPU so I don't have to keep relying on this patch?

I got an Intel 10th Gen core i3.

 

[Lukas2283]

Every time I build the loader and boot from USB, I get the same error: "File installation failed, the PL8K is probably corrupted." Has anyone found a solution to this?