How to install tmux in Synology NAS Server

I was working on the project where my client wanted to me put all the crawler and application in his own Synology NAS. It was new thing for me. He only new that he was able to run the containers on his server. Rest was my task to figure it out. While working on this project Among alot of problems in each steps I came to this as well which I will share here?

Installing tmux on NAS can be frustrating.

To install tmux on a Synology NAS, you typically need to use ipkg or opkg because Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) doesn’t include tmux by default, and it uses a busybox-based system that lacks many common Linux utilities.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install tmux on a Synology NAS using opkg:

Step 1: Install Entware

1. Download and Install Entware:

   • Entware is a software repository for embedded devices like Synology NAS. It provides a package management system similar to apt on Debian or yum on CentOS.

   • You can download and install Entware by following these steps:

     wget -O - http://bin.entware.net/x64-k3.2/installer/generic.sh | /bin/sh
     

2. Initialize Entware:

   • After the installation script runs, it will set up Entware. You might need to add the Entware binary path to your PATH environment variable:

     echo 'export PATH=/opt/bin:/opt/sbin:$PATH' >> ~/.profile
     source ~/.profile
     

Step 2: Install tmux using opkg

1. Update the Entware Package List:

   • Ensure you have the latest package list:

     opkg update
     

2. Install tmux:

   • Now, you can install tmux:

     opkg install tmux
     

3. Verify Installation:

   • Check if tmux is installed correctly:

     tmux -V
     

   • You should see the version number of tmux if it was installed successfully.

Alternative Method: Using Docker

If you prefer not to use Entware or have trouble with it, you can use Docker to run tmux. Here’s how:

1. Ensure Docker is Installed:

   • Install the Docker package from the Synology Package Center if it’s not already installed.

2. Run a tmux Docker Container:

   • You can use an existing Docker image with tmux. Pull a lightweight image like Alpine Linux:

     docker run -it --rm alpine:latest /bin/sh
     

   • Inside the Docker container, install tmux:

     apk add tmux
     tmux
     

Troubleshooting

• Missing Commands: If you encounter errors like command not found, make sure that /opt/bin and /opt/sbin are included in your PATH.
• Permission Issues: Ensure you have root access or use sudo where necessary.
• Compatibility: Verify that your Synology NAS model supports Entware or Docker.

Summary

Installing tmux on a Synology NAS involves installing Entware and then using opkg to install tmux. This method provides a streamlined way to extend the capabilities of your NAS with additional Linux utilities. If you encounter issues or have further questions, feel free to ask!