I already have a large computer that runs 24/7 with several HDDs worth of storage. My current storage solution involves a JBOD setup. I am about at max capacity and was going to purchase a few 2TB HDDs to double my capacity or so.

 

At the same time I'd like to implement some sort of backup solution... IE unRaid.

 

Is it possible to run unRaid on a virtual machine inside of my Windows 7 x64 install? This storage array would eventually be moved to dedicated hardware in a dedicated case which would also hopefully be possible.

 

Thanks for the help

Smitty

unRAID can be run in a VM but it is not easy and some stuff does not work.  Drive spin-down comes to mind and drive temp reporting if I remember correctly.  unRAID expects direct access to a drive and most VM solutions do not do that.

 

Virtual box does, and there is an image out there built with unRAID, but it will only support using 3 drives if I remember correctly.

 

There are limitations that make this a little discussed topic.  Most of us to not want our windows/mac/linux box going do and taking our unRAID server with it.

 

You are best served buying the needed hardware to move drives from your windows box to a dedicated unRAID server.

Thanks so much for the help!