Synology DSM 6.2 End Of Life – What To Do, What You Lose and Should You Care?

Synology Ending Support for DSM 6.2: Key Dates, Announcements, and What It Means for You

Synology officially announced the end of support for its DiskStation Manager (DSM) 6.2 in late 2023, with the final termination of updates taking effect on October 1, 2024. This marked the conclusion of DSM 6.2’s extended support period, which had been in place since its initial release in May 2018. For nearly six years, DSM 6.2 has provided users with a secure, stable, and feature-rich platform for managing their NAS systems, but Synology has now phased out the operating system to focus on newer DSM versions like 7.1 and 7.2. Despite the long life of DSM 6.2, its end means users still running this OS will no longer receive updates, security patches, or direct technical support. Synology has been transparent about this process, giving users time to prepare for the transition.

Impact on Users Still Running DSM 6.2

For the majority of Synology users, the transition to DSM 7.x has already happened. However, a subset of users—particularly those with older NAS devices—have opted to stay on DSM 6.2 due to concerns about losing access to certain features and hardware compatibility.

DSM 6.2 had better support for a wide range of USB peripherals, such as digital TV tuners, network adapters, and other devices that could be connected via USB. However, starting with DSM 7.x, Synology significantly reduced USB peripheral support. The company cited security risks as the primary reason for this decision, noting that granting too much USB accessibility posed a potential hazard for the security of the NAS systems. As a result, users who still rely on these peripherals may be reluctant to upgrade, as doing so could break the functionality of their existing setup.

The USB compatibility issue is particularly concerning for users who have tailored their NAS systems for multimedia use, such as streaming from TV tuners or utilizing network adapters. While DSM 7.x brought substantial improvements in system efficiency and security, these changes came at the cost of reduced hardware flexibility, forcing many users to weigh the pros and cons of staying on DSM 6.2 versus upgrading.

Why Synology Cannot Support Operating Systems Forever

Maintaining an operating system like DSM 6.2 indefinitely is not feasible for Synology, particularly given the company’s one-time purchase business model. Synology NAS devices are sold without ongoing subscription fees, meaning users aren’t required to pay for future updates or extended support. As a result, there’s a practical limit to how long Synology can dedicate resources to maintaining older systems. Every new update or security patch requires development, testing, and support, which diverts resources away from their newer operating systems. By retiring DSM 6.2, Synology is focusing its attention on DSM 7.x, which continues to receive enhancements in security, stability, and performance. This ensures that newer systems remain up to date with the latest features and protection measures while streamlining the company’s support commitments.

Loss of Applications, Services, and Hardware Compatibility in DSM 7.x

For users considering an upgrade from DSM 6.2 to DSM 7.x, it’s important to note that they may lose access to certain applications, services, and hardware compatibility. One of the most significant differences between the two versions is the reduced support for USB peripherals. DSM 6.2 allowed broader compatibility with USB devices, such as network adapters, external TV tuners, and more. In contrast, DSM 7.x significantly scaled back USB support due to Synology’s concerns about potential security vulnerabilities. This change was a major sticking point for many users who have customized their NAS setups to rely on these peripherals. By removing this support, Synology aimed to make DSM 7.x more secure, but it came at the cost of flexibility and compatibility.

Additionally, several popular applications available in DSM 6.2, such as Synology Moments and Photo Station, are no longer supported in DSM 7.x. These photo management apps were widely used by both casual and professional users to organize and share photos, leveraging AI-powered recognition and advanced metadata tools. While Synology Photos in DSM 7.x combines many of the features from Moments and Photo Station, the transition may be less seamless for users accustomed to the older apps’ interfaces and workflows.

Another critical point for multimedia users is the change in support for HEVC playback. While DSM 7.1 and 7.2 maintain HEVC support through Synology’s Advanced Media Extension and Video Station, DSM 7.2.2 removed this functionality. For those who rely on their NAS for multimedia streaming, this could be a significant drawback, as the ability to handle HEVC files smoothly may be impacted.

List of Applications No Longer Available After DSM 6.2

As part of DSM 6.2’s end of life, several applications and services that were compatible with this version will no longer be supported. The following applications are among those affected by the EOL announcement:

• Synology Moments (DSM package and mobile apps for iOS/Android)
• Synology Photo Station (DSM package and apps for iOS/Android/Apple TV/Android TV/Fire TV, and Photo Station Uploader for Windows/macOS)
• Java8
• DokuWiki
• SVN (Subversion)
• Tomcat 7
• Moodle
• Docker-Redmine
• Docker-Gitlab
• Docker-LXQt
• GLPI
• OrangeHRM
• osTicket
• MariaDB 5
• Node.js v8
• PHP Pear

These applications were either deprecated or replaced by more modern alternatives in DSM 7.x. Users relying on any of these applications should take note, as they will no longer receive updates or be available in future DSM versions.

Systems That Cannot Upgrade Beyond DSM 6.2 and Those That Can

For users who are still on DSM 6.2, it’s important to know whether their systems can upgrade to DSM 7.x. The following list outlines the NAS models that are locked at DSM 6.2 and those that can upgrade to DSM 7.1 or 7.2:

NAS Models Locked to DSM 6.2:

• XS Series: RS3412xs, RS3412RPxs, RS3411xs, RS3411RPxs, DS3612xs, DS3611xs
• Plus Series: RS2212+, RS2212RP+, RS2211+, RS2211RP+, DS2411+, DS1812+, DS1512+, DS1511+, DS712+, DS412+, DS411+II, DS411+, DS213+, DS212+, DS211+, DS112+
• Value Series: RS812, RS212, RS411, DS413, DS411, DS213, DS212, DS211, DS112, DS111
• J Series: DS413j, DS411j, DS411slim, DS213air, DS212j, DS211j, DS112j
• Other Models: NVR216, NVR1218, DDSM

NAS Models Eligible for DSM 7.x Upgrades:

• DSM 7.1/7.2 Upgradeable Systems (13-15 Series):
  • XS Series: RS3413xs+, RS10613xs+, RS3614xs+, RS3614RPxs, DS3615xs, DS2015xs
  • Plus Series: DS2413+, DS1813+, DS1513+, DS713+, RS2414RP+, DS215+, DS1815+, DS415+, RS815+
  • Value Series: RS814, DS416play, DS1515, DS418, DS218
  • J Series: DS213j, DS414slim, DS214se, DS115j
• DSM 7.2 Upgradeable Systems (16-21 Series):
  • XS Series: RS18016xs+, DS3617xsII, RS3621RPxs, DS1621xs+
  • Plus Series: DS920+, DS1821+, RS1221+, RS820+, DS1019+, RS2421RP+, DS1520+, DS220+
  • Value Series: DS118, RS217, DS1517, DS715
  • J Series: DS218j, DS419slim, DS120j

DSM 6.2 Systems Still Work, but Security Is a Concern

Although DSM 6.2 systems will continue to function after their end of life, they will no longer receive any updates, including critical security patches. This leaves users at risk for vulnerabilities, especially if their NAS remains connected to the internet. For users who want to continue using DSM 6.2, it’s recommended to either take their system offline or restrict it to local network access. By isolating the NAS, users can mitigate security risks while still leveraging DSM 6.2’s features. However, users should be mindful of the increased danger posed by keeping an outdated OS online.

The Irreversibility of Upgrading to DSM 7.x

It’s important to note that upgrading from DSM 6.2 to DSM 7.x is officially irreversible. Once the upgrade is completed, Synology does not support downgrading back to DSM 6.2. While advanced users may find unofficial methods through SSH commands to revert to DSM 6.2, these methods are not supported by Synology and carry significant risks, including voiding remaining support. For users unsure about the upgrade, testing DSM 7.x on a secondary system or via SSH may provide a way to explore the new OS without committing entirely.

DSM 6.2 .PAT OS Files and Applications Still Available for Download

Although DSM 6.2 has reached its end of life, users can still download the .PAT OS files and individual application .SPK files from Synology’s Download Center. If you plan to continue using DSM 6.2 long term, it’s essential to download these files now, as Synology has already begun removing older DSM versions from their website due to reported licensing expirations. Having these files on hand will ensure that you can reinstall or restore DSM 6.2 in the future, should the need arise.

Final Recommendation: Download DSM 6.2 Assets Now

For those sticking with DSM 6.2, the end of support does not mean the end of the system’s usability. However, it does come with increased security risks and the eventual need to isolate the NAS from the internet. To maintain your system over the long term, head to the Synology Download Center and download all necessary .PAT OS and .SPK application files as soon as possible, as these may be removed in the near future. By doing so, you can continue using DSM 6.2 in a secure, isolated environment while still enjoying the features it has to offer. In conclusion, while DSM 6.2 has provided exceptional service for many years, its time has come to an end. Users now face the choice of upgrading to DSM 7.x or continuing to use DSM 6.2 with heightened security precautions. Either way, downloading the necessary files and staying informed will help ensure that your NAS remains functional and secure in the coming years.

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