How to use Virtualization Station 4?
Virtualization Station
About Virtualization Station
Virtualization Station centralizes the creation, configuration, and control of virtual machines on your QNAP device. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run different virtualized software applications, such as operating systems or software routers, in a secure environment on your device.
Virtualization Station Specifications
Resource |
Specifications |
---|---|
Supported operating systems |
For the list of supported operating systems, see What operating system can I deploy in Virtualization Station? |
Maximum number of snapshots |
Up to 32 per VM |
Maximum number of simultaneously running VMs |
The number of concurrently-running VMs is generally limited to the available CPU and memory resources of the device. Running multiple VMs at the same time may affect the performance of the device. |
Maximum number of VMs |
No limit |
Maximum number of virtual devices |
Each VM supports up to 16 devices, including hard disks and CD/DVD ROMs. |
Maximum number of virtual network adapters |
Up to 8 per VM |
Maximum number of SR-IOV network adapters |
Up to 8 per VM |
Maximum number of physical USB connections |
Up to 4 per VM |
Maximum number of physical PCIe connections |
Up to 3 per VM |
Maximum number of Intel® QAT accelerators |
Up to 16 per VM |
Supported File Types for Import |
*.ova, *.ovf, *.vmx, *.qvm |
Parts of the User Interface
The Virtualization Station user interface has three main areas.

Label |
Area |
Description |
---|---|---|
1 |
Toolbar |
The toolbar displays the following buttons:
|
2 |
Menu |
The menu consolidates Virtualization Station information and resources into several areas. |
3 |
Main panel |
The main panel displays the selected screen. |
VM and VA Creation
Virtualization Station allows you to create VMs, import VM files, and deploy virtual appliances (VAs) from the VM Marketplace.
Creating a Virtual Machine Using Basic Settings
Virtualization Station creates the VM.
Creating a Virtual Machine Using Advanced Settings
Virtualization Station creates the VM.
Deploying a Virtual Appliance from the VM Marketplace
The VM Marketplace provides access to several ready-to-use applications packaged as virtual appliances. From the VM Marketplace section you can download and deploy an existing virtual appliance to your device.
Virtualization Station deploys the VA.
Importing a VM
Virtualization Station allows you to import VMs from your personal computer, the local QNAP device, or a remote device.
Virtualization Station only imports the following file types: .ova, .ovf, .vmx, .qvm
Importing a VM from a PC
Virtualization Station imports and creates the VM.
Importing a VM from the Local Device
Virtualization Station imports and creates the VM.
Importing a VM From a Remote Device
Virtualization Station imports and creates the VM.
VM Management
Virtualization Station lists any VMs operating on the device. After selecting a VM, you can view detailed information, monitor VM resources, configure settings, access snapshots, and review logs for each VM.
VM Actions
Virtualization Station lets you perform a number of different actions related to the management and configuration of your VM.
Starting a VM
Virtualization Station starts the VM.
Suspending a VM
Virtualization Station suspends the VM.
Resuming a VM
Virtualization Station resumes the VM.
Cloning a VM
Virtualization Station clones the VM.
Migrating a VM From a Remote Device
Virtualization Station migrates the VM from the remote device.
Migrating a VM to a Remote Device
Virtualization Station migrates the VM to the local device.
Accessing the VM Console
Virtualization Station opens the VM console.
Adding Hardware Devices to a VM
Adding hardware devices to a VM lets you expand its capabilities.
Adding a Storage Device to a VM
Virtualization Station adds the storage device.
Adding a Network Device to a VM
Virtualization Station adds the network device.
Adding an SR-IOV Network Device to a VM
Virtualization Station adds the network device.
Adding a CD/DVD ROM to a VM
Virtualization Station adds the CD/DVD ROM.
Connecting an ISO file to a VM
Virtualization Station connects the ISO file.
Inserting a Guest Tool CD to a VM
Virtualization Station adds the Windows Guest Tools CD.
Exporting a VM
Virtualization Station exports the VM.
Sharing a VM
Virtualization Station copies the link to your clipboard..
Resetting a VM
Virtualization Station resets the VM.
Deleting a VM
Virtualization Station deletes the VM.
Shutting Down a VM
Virtualization Station sends an ACPI shutdown signal to shut down the VM.
Forcing a VM to Shut Down
Virtualization Station shuts down the VM immediately.
Configuring Time Synchronization
Using time synchronization in Virtualization Station allows you to set the time of a running virtual machine to be the same as the time of the host device.
You must enable Virtio-serial and install the QNAP Guest Tools in order to synchronize the VM time with the host.
Virtualization Station synchronizes the VM time with the host device.
Monitoring VM Resource Usage
Virtualization Station displays the VM resource information.
To view the information on a new window, click .
VM Settings
You can configure a variety of settings for each VM. These settings can control the resources available to the VM or how the VM interacts with the host device.
Some settings are not accessible if the VM is running or suspended.
Configuring General Settings
Virtualization Station saves the settings.
Configuring System Settings
Modify CPU and memory requirements of the VM to suit the changing needs of the virtual environment.
Virtualization Station saves the settings.
Configuring Boot Settings
The boot order defines the devices and order in which the VM searches for boot files. These boot files can control how the VM operates.
Virtualization Station saves the boot settings.
Configuring Storage Settings
Virtualization Station saves the storage settings.
Configuring Network Settings
Virtualization Station saves the network settings.
Configuring CD/DVD Settings
Virtualization Station saves the settings.
Configuring Other Settings
Virtualization Station saves the settings.
Configuring Physical Device Settings
Virtualization Station allows you to configure a virtual machine to specify and access directly the physical hardware accelerators, PCI, PCIe and USB devices connected to a specific host device.
Virtualization Station saves the settings.
VM Snapshot Management
Snapshots allow your QNAP device to record the state of the VM at any time. If an unexpected situation arises on your system, you can revert back to a previous state that the snapshot has recorded. You can create and manage separate snapshots for each VM.
Creating a VM Snapshot
Virtualization Station creates the snapshot.
Performing Snapshot Actions
Virtualization Station performs the specified task.
Reverting to a VM Snapshot
Virtualization Station reverts the virtual machine.
VM Log Management
Important events, errors, or warnings are recorded for both Virtualization Station and any installed virtual machines. You can filter logs by type or search for specific log files. These logs can be used to diagnose issues or monitor VM operations.
Virtualization Station performs the specified task.
VM Data Protection Plans
Virtualization Station provides two strategies for VM data protection and disaster recovery: snapshots and backups.
Snapshots
VM snapshots allow you to capture the state and data of a virtual machine at the time the snapshot was taken. Snapshots can be used to restore VMs to a particular point in time when a VM failure or system error occurs.
You cannot take snapshots of VMs connected to physical devices (e.g., PCIe, SR-IOV, and Intel® QAT accelerators) or SATA virtual disks.
Backup
VM backups allow you to create and store identical copies of a virtual machine, including the virtual disk and any configuration files. You can use these backup files to completely restore the VMs in the event of corruption or data loss.
Creating a Backup Data Protection Plan
Virtualization Station creates the backup data protection plan for the selected VMs.
Creating a Snapshot Data Protection Plan
Virtualization Station creates the snapshot data protection plan for the selected VMs.
Restoring a VM Using a Backup File
Virtualization Station restores the VM.
Managing Data Protection Plans
The Data Protection screen allows you to create, manage, and remove data protection plans from Virtualization Station. On this screen, users can see the status and execution date of each backup and snapshot plan, the destination folder path, and the schedule information of each plan.
Application Preferences
Virtualization Station lets you centrally configure memory usage, remote device credentials, VM storage, and access ports, all of which are applied to every VM running on your QNAP device.
Configuring Memory Preferences
Virtualization Station saves the memory settings.
Configuring Remote Device Credentials
You can only add credentials for QNAP devices.
Adding Remote Device Credentials
Virtualization Station saves the remote QNAP device information.
Editing Remote Device Credentials
Virtualization Station modifies the remote QNAP device information.
Deleting Remote Device Credentials
Virtualization Station deletes the remote QNAP device information.
Configuring Port and Storage Preferences
Virtualization Station saves the port and storage location settings.
Resource Management
Virtualization Station allows you to change the language, download debug reports, and convert VM images inside the application.
Virtualization Station User Management
This screen provides access to account management options for Virtualization Station. From here you can create and delete Virtualization Station user accounts, and control how these accounts interact with VMs running on your device.
Creating a Virtualization Station User Account
Virtualization Station creates the user account.
Managing Virtualization Station User Accounts
Virtualization Station performs the specified task.
Managing Shared Links
The Shared Links page allows you to access and manage shared links created for VMs in Virtualization Station.
Virtualization Station performs the specified task.
Configuring Language Preferences
- Open Virtualization Station.
- On the upper-right corner, click
.
- Click Language.
- Select a language option.
Virtualization Station applies the selected language option.
Converting a VM Image
Virtualization Station converts the image.
Log Management
Important events, errors, or warnings are recorded for both Virtualization Station and any installed virtual machines. You can filter logs by type or search for specific log files. These logs can be used to diagnose issues or monitor VM operations.
Managing VM Logs
Virtualization Station performs the specified task.