OK, so a I finally decided the issue is my VM, so re-installed.  In all my hunting I leaned I didnt need to actually install grub.  I was not comprehending this the other day, so yeah, manually did grub.cfg this time and it behaves better.  I occasionally see it hang still but I have more information.

 

running early hook [lvm2]

 

searching this takes me here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mkinitcpio#Using_LVM

 

but this is in the domu,  lvm is on dom0.  so what I am trying to understand is does the domu vm see the drive as an LVM2 still or is it simply a normal disk?

 

if it still sees lvm, I will make the change, but I thought to avoid breaking the system requiring booting to the iso to fix grub.  Hope this makes sense what I am asking.

 

Your VM sees an ext4 partition (or whatever file system you used) and doesn't care the LVM structure present on the host.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for getting back to me and confirming.  I did end up going ahead and crashing the car to see this for myself as things would not boot, so I put them back.  I had a feeling it only saw a disk, but it is good to know for sure now.

 

Meep - awesome work and great to see you flying so well from the nest!

 

Q1. XL is a command which controls the xen toolstack and as such requires root, this is normal.

 

Q2. Depends if you have formatted as GPT or MBR disk. Get back to me on that.

 

 

 

Thanks. It was GPT. My MB us UEFI but I definitely selected BIOS/GRUB in Arch Setup.

 

I'm going to give the whole things another go tonight now that I'm a bit more comfortable with it.

 

Got a link to Archboot Jan iso (or do we wait a while for it to go up on mirrors?). Downloading ISOs from archlinux site itself confused me as they seem to contain only cli install?

 

Peter

 

As one that feared the cli install at first, once you do it a few times it is simple.  Talking with GBF I learned I dont need swap and home partitions and instead just root and boot, so it is 2 partitions, 2 mounts and a command to install Arch...seems daunting but it is actually quite quick.

 

I also found using cfdisk easier than fdisk when partitioning disks in case you were wondering.

 

Once the install completes, there are a handful of commands needed to get things fully installed and useable.  The beginners guide is nice, but it is also a mess with tons of extra dialogue that makes things look impossible.  I found it easiest to copy out all the commands I needed to get going and then it is literally a few minutes of work.  Just make sure to copy all needed commands as I learned after something didnt work later.

 

Lastly, the verdict is still out for me.  I used the 12/2013 iso and did a full patch and still needed the grub fix, so I am not sure...I would need to do it all again to find out for sure.  Also, I am not certain if the media makes a difference, but the rolling release thing makes me think no.  Regardless, if one sees the error, it is an easy fix, now that we know.

I just finished up a rebuild of my development system; this time around building Arch/KVM system. I relied heavily on GrumpButFun's (Grumpy) guides to get me through the "choppy water" of Arch, KVM and libvirt. Here are some "notes from the field."

 

I partitioned the drive using a GParted USB drive. I decided to give GPT a try and used these partitions: 50mb ext4 /boot partition on /dev/SDA1, 10GB BTRFS / partition on /dev/SDA2 and set up a LVM partition of 100GB on /dev/SDA3.

 

I installed Arch using the current ISO (2014.01.05) installed onto a USB stick.

 

For the Arch install I followed their Beginner's Install Guide. This guide covers a lot of options so you have to stay alert and not just follow by rote.  I'm using DHCP and the guide reccomends "systemctl enable dhcpcd.service" for the basic build, so I did.

 

Towards the end of the basic install you need to install a bootloader. From the looks of it, syslinux works with GPT so I chose that. Since we're doing things a little differently with partitioning, I made a booboo and I should have installed gptfdisk first. So, I did have to go back in and edit the /boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg file to point to the right directory where ROOT is and not BOOT.

 

After the base install and I was able to boot to the system I needlessly checked for updates using pacman, but then started customizing along Grumpybutfun's lines.  Fist, I wanted to fix up the terminal's color and used Grumpy's guide: Setting up Color Prompts and Directory Colors.

 

Next, I added my local user account as outlined in Grumpy's message: Miscellaneous Stuff that will be added to the correct place later. This message covers miscellaneous extras and for right now we're just adding a local user account.

 

Next, I wanted to work on the build remotely so I installed sshd using pacman -S sshd and start/enabled the service.  At this point I wasn't sure what to do next as far as QEMU/KVM. To me it looks like it's better to study the QEMU wiki as it incorporates the KVM stuff as well; see: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Qemu

 

OK, install qemu via pacman. Then it was back to Grumpy's guide for libvirt, bridge-utils, openbsd-netcat (I threw in ebtables, but it's not really necessary0. Here's the page: Configure libvirt to work via SSH or TCP. One difference of note, the way nano does line searches. Since I'm using Ubuntu I have to use <Shift><Ctrl><-> (that's Shift+Control+Minus keys) to get the line number entry prompt. But to have line numbers listed in this post makes editing these files a breeze. Thanks Grumpy!

 

Setting up the network bridge is covered here in Arch Wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Bridge_with_netctl. I spent a long time troubleshooting this because of a typo in "BindsToInterface=" line of my config file. The solution boiled down to simply creating a different bridge profile with the right interface name and using it. Also, since my build from the start used DHCP, bridging differs from Grumpy's guide (maybe because it's KVM based as well?)

 

Grumpy's page: Run Linux GUI Applications On Your Windows / Mac via SSH + X11 Forwarding covers getting the things you need to start running virt-manager remotely and build VM's. On Ubuntu/Linux workstations you don't really need Putty to connect to your KVM server. From the Terminal you just need to enter: "ssh -X root@server-ip-address" to connect. BTW, SCP (secure copy) is a great way to transfer files between server and workstation in either direction.

 

Virt-manager works just about like it does as outlined on Grumpy's Virtualizing unRAID in KVM on openSUSE 13.1 (64Bit) thread. One small difference though, virt-manager automatically connects to the localhost; it didn't for me on the openSUSE build.

 

Getting PCI-passthrough on my hardware involved adding a little patch outlined on:, PCI passthrough regression caused by the fix for CVE-2011-1898. It works, but when I start a VM the host grinds to a halt for about a minute or so but finally the VM shows up. Currently I'm using Grumpy's KVM-unRAID image for testing that was on the OP of the openSUSE thread.

 

I'm putting my VM images on the LVM partition. LVM is new to me and I had to do some fiddling around. I think it's working OK, but I do notice when creating the initial "drive" in Virt-Manager it takes a lot longer to generate the file than when using the default (non-LVMed) location.

 

Good Luck with your build!

 

@smakovits

 

Thanks for that, though I like the way the graphical* installer configs locales, networks, grub etc.

 

Still trying to find out whey this archboot network iso has the installer and the one available from ArchLinux doesn't. What am I missing?

 

*it's a stretch to call it graphical

So I'm playing around with learning about Arch by building a VM on win7 machine.  I'm also using it as a chance to play with LVs.  I won't embarrass myself by detailing my failures, but I do want to ask:

 

I understand the benefits of LVs in general but for our specific case here, assuming I wouldn't be doing much else other than acting as the host for guest VMs, is there really any benefit to putting the Arch OS (root, boot, and/or home) in LVs?  That is as opposed to of course using LVs for data storage.

 

Does that make sense?

So I'm playing around with learning about Arch by building a VM on win7 machine.  I'm also using it as a chance to play with LVs.  I won't embarrass myself by detailing my failures, but I do want to ask:

 

I understand the benefits of LVs in general but for our specific case here, assuming I wouldn't be doing much else other than acting as the host for guest VMs, is there really any benefit to putting the Arch OS (root, boot, and/or home) in LVs?  That is as opposed to of course using LVs for data storage.

 

Does that make sense?

 

Sure. Root snapshots are quite useful!

 

Eg. Create a snapshot (see my blog post for LVM) then install some OS updates and if something broke you can just roll back like nothing happened.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

 

hmmm damn you for having a valid point ;-)

 

[sigh] well I at least I can say i manged to get what i think is a functional Arch VM+guest additions up and running along with Gnome.  Boy it is quite bare comparatively speaking.  You've got to install EVERYTHING   I suppose now maybe I will see if I can successfully create some LV's and move everything there.  You know, for science

hmmm damn you for having a valid point ;-)

 

[sigh] well I at least I can say i manged to get what i think is a functional Arch VM+guest additions up and running along with Gnome.  Boy it is quite bare comparatively speaking.  You've got to install EVERYTHING   I suppose now maybe I will see if I can successfully create some LV's and move everything there.  You know, for science

 

I'll do a blog post on installing Arch in an LVM, it's not hard but there are a couple of steps that need to be performed in a certain order for things to work.

 

As for Arch's bareness, it doesn't install ANYTHING you don't need in order to get a functional booting system. In a way this sucks, especially for new users, but in every other way it is awesome and gives you complete control over what is installed. Having just this week decided to make the switch to Arch full time as my desktop OS from Windows I can definitely empathise that it feels VERY bare at first. I installed cinnamon and it didn't even come with a terminal!! I'm really enjoying getting to grips with this stuff though and am by no means an expert but am slowly improving...

hmmm damn you for having a valid point ;-)

 

[sigh] well I at least I can say i manged to get what i think is a functional Arch VM+guest additions up and running along with Gnome.  Boy it is quite bare comparatively speaking.  You've got to install EVERYTHING   I suppose now maybe I will see if I can successfully create some LV's and move everything there.  You know, for science

 

I'll do a blog post on installing Arch in an LVM, it's not hard but there are a couple of steps that need to be performed in a certain order for things to work.

 

As for Arch's bareness, it doesn't install ANYTHING you don't need in order to get a functional booting system. In a way this sucks, especially for new users, but in every other way it is awesome and gives you complete control over what is installed. Having just this week decided to make the switch to Arch full time as my desktop OS from Windows I can definitely empathise that it feels VERY bare at first. I installed cinnamon and it didn't even come with a terminal!! I'm really enjoying getting to grips with this stuff though and am by no means an expert but am slowly improving...

 

Going slightly OT but as a result of all these virtualisation an unRAID+ discussions I've been getting back into Linux and have discovered Arch as a result. I found MAnjaroBox on a cover-mount DVD and having installed it, I love it. It's Arch Linux with a custom OpenBox that follows the Arch philosophy of minimal out of the box. I love that it allows me to set everything up just the way I like it. Also pacman made sense straight away so I found it quite straightforward to get up and running.

 

Peter

 

Going slightly OT but as a result of all these virtualisation an unRAID+ discussions I've been getting back into Linux and have discovered Arch as a result. I found MAnjaroBox on a cover-mount DVD and having installed it, I love it. It's Arch Linux with a custom OpenBox that follows the Arch philosophy of minimal out of the box. I love that it allows me to set everything up just the way I like it. Also pacman made sense straight away so I found it quite straightforward to get up and running.

 

It's a "fork" of Arch... You should delete it now.

 

According to some people on here...

 

Any fork is EVIL, will destroy your computer / data and make your gf or wife cheat on you. Those Manjaro people stole Arch and deserve to be jail for not writing a whole new Linux from scratch.

 

However, Plex (a "fork" of XBMC) is okay and get's their seal of approval. I suspect it is due to an unRAID plugin that makes it okay. That's a guess but maybe one of them can explain it.

It's a "fork" of Arch... You should delete it now.

 

According to some people on here...

 

Any fork is EVIL, will destroy your computer / data and make your gf or wife cheat on you. Those Manjaro people stole Arch and deserve to be jail for not writing a whole new Linux from scratch.

 

However, Plex (a "fork" of XBMC) is okay and get's their seal of approval. I suspect it is due to an unRAID plugin that makes it okay. That's a guess but maybe one of them can explain it.

 

Who said any fork is evil ?  Name names, quote posts.  or is this just another throw away unsubstantiated statement of yours like "Tom doesn't support unRAID" ?

It's a "fork" of Arch... You should delete it now.

 

According to some people on here...

 

Any fork is EVIL, will destroy your computer / data and make your gf or wife cheat on you. Those Manjaro people stole Arch and deserve to be jail for not writing a whole new Linux from scratch.

 

However, Plex (a "fork" of XBMC) is okay and get's their seal of approval. I suspect it is due to an unRAID plugin that makes it okay. That's a guess but maybe one of them can explain it.

 

Who said any fork is evil ?  Name names, quote posts.  or is this just another throw away unsubstantiated statement of yours like "Tom doesn't support unRAID" ?

Shhh. Don't feed the troll. He's just trying to get a rise out of you, it's his version of humour.

Shhh. Don't feed the troll. He's just trying to get a rise out of you, it's his version of humour.

 

Yeah... Guess I wasn't over the top, self deprecating and sarcastic enough so he / everyone else would get the humor in it.

 

I thought the whole "your gf / wife would cheat on you" was a dead give away. Perhaps his wife or gf is and why he felt the need to be a troll.

 

Shhh. Don't feed the troll. He's just trying to get a rise out of you, it's his version of humour.

 

Yeah... Guess I wasn't over the top, self deprecating and sarcastic enough so he / everyone else would get the humor in it.

 

I thought the whole "your gf / wife would cheat on you" was a dead give away. Perhaps his wife or gf is and why he felt the need to be a troll.

 

So another bullshit post with no substance whatsoever but trying to cast people you don't agree with as negatively as possible ?  Just like your repeated claim Tom doesn't support unRAID ?

So another bullshit post with no substance whatsoever but trying to cast people you don't agree with as negatively as possible ?  Just like your repeated claim Tom doesn't support unRAID ?

 

Did my post where I shared how Tom could make some improvements and how we could financially support that get deleted?

 

I bet yours does.

 

Also, can you show me stats of Tom's emails, PMs and phone calls where he is?

 

If you are making your claim base on the forum...

 

Out of the 66,000+ posts he only has 381 since 2006. ZERO in the plugins / applications forum. You won't see any in the last 50+ Red Ball, Missing Drives, Etc. threads either. I'd be nice to have the WebGUI finished too. Adding KVM and Xen kernel options so I don't have to maintain it like I have for the last 6+ months would be kind of nice also. Several of us would like a 64-Bit version... I did it in 30 minutes. He was talking about doing it 2 years ago.

 

So another bullshit post with no substance whatsoever but trying to cast people you don't agree with as negatively as possible ?  Just like your repeated claim Tom doesn't support unRAID ?

 

Did my post where I shared how Tom could make some improvements and how we could financially support that get deleted?

 

I bet yours does.

 

Again, no proof or evidence that there are people dead against forking here ?  You love whipping up a frenzy and insinuating all sorts of rubbish to push your agenda, but you are very shallow on facts when taken to task.

Again, no proof or evidence that there are people dead against forking here ?  You love whipping up a frenzy and insinuating all sorts of rubbish to push your agenda, but you are very shallow on facts when taken to task.

 

Can you show me stats of Tom's emails, PMs and phone calls where he is?

 

If you are making your claim based on the forum...

 

Out of the 66,000+ posts he only has 381 since 2006. ZERO in the plugins / applications forum. You won't see any in the last 50+ Red Ball, Missing Drives, Etc. threads either. It would be nice to have the WebGUI finished too. Adding KVM and Xen kernel options so I don't have to maintain it like I have for the last 6+ months would be kind of nice also. Several of us would like a 64-Bit version... I did it in 30 minutes. He was talking about doing it 2 years ago. Some of us would like Tom to not disppear for weeks and months at a time and to answer his PMs. He is suppose to get back to us shortly on the "fork" and that was 8 days ago.

 

I CANNOT wait till I have my own forum up in a few days. I will help / support unRAID over there since Tom can't police / support his forum and deal with posts like yours.

 

So, no proof to back your claims again. Just as I thought.  You've been told many times the forum isn't the official support channel for unRAID, it's a community forum. Officially support for unRAID is via email to Tom.

 

So again, no proof there are people here who detest forks.  No proof Tom doesn't support unRAID, yet you continue to make posts implying both.

So, no proof to back your claims again. Just as I thought.

 

You must have a reading comprehension problem because I did provide FACTS that you cannot dispute.

 

Support isn't my / other users issue... Updates / Developing / Innovation (which we don't mind paying for) are and what we would like him to do more of.

 

You've been told many times the forum isn't the official support channel for unRAID, it's a community forum. Officially support for unRAID is via email to Tom.

 

So I should respond to every single post I see in the support / applications / plugins forum to email Tom, huh? That is your solution?

 

With the volume of emails he would get and if he was slow to respond to all of those... How long / well do you think that work? 

 

So again, no proof there are people here who detest forks.  No proof Tom doesn't support unRAID, yet you continue to make posts implying both.

 

I provided facts. You provide all the plugins he developed / fixed / updated. Where are his threads, emails, phone calls where Tom has helped users? Why are the wikis out of date? Where is the final WebGUI? Where is the 64-Bit version? Why I am running END OF LIFE apps in unRAID with security holes? Why are we using Slackware 13.1 that is 4+ years old? Why aren't we using NFS4? Why aren't we using Samba4? Where is encryption? Where is iSCSI? Where is metadata chksums? Why are we using Reiserfs and not Reiser4? Where is LVM support? Why doesn't Tom compile KVM and Xen guests into the unRAID? I have been doing it since since 5.0 RC11 I believe for Xen.

 

Instead of saying I don't have facts would you care to provide some of your own and answer the questions?

So, no proof to back your claims again. Just as I thought.

 

You must have a reading comprehension problem because I did provide FACTS that you cannot dispute.

 

Support isn't my / other users issue... Updates / Developing / Innovation (which we don't mind paying for) are and what we would like him to do more of.

 

You've been told many times the forum isn't the official support channel for unRAID, it's a community forum. Officially support for unRAID is via email to Tom.

 

So I should respond to every single post I see in the support / plugins forum to email Tom, huh? That is your solution?

 

So again, no proof there are people here who detest forks.  No proof Tom doesn't support unRAID, yet you continue to make posts implying both.

 

I provided facts. You provide all the plugins he developed / fixed / updated. Where are his threads, emails, phone calls where Tom has helped users? Why are the wikis out of date? Where is the final WebGUI? Where is the 64-Bit version? Why I am running END OF LIFE apps in unRAID with security holes? Why are we using Slackware 13.1 that is 4+ years old? Why aren't we using NFS4? Why aren't we using Samba4? Where is encryption? Where is iSCSI? Where is LVM support? Why doesn't Tom compile KVM and Xen guests into the unRAID? I have been doing it since since 5.0 RC11 I believe for Xen?

 

Instead of saying I don't have facts would you care to provide some of your own and answer the questions?

 

No, no facts from your side.

 

unRAID officially support channel is email.

unRAID plugins are community created, not by Lime tech, so no support from tom.

 

Just because you want unRAID to be supported via this forum and for Tom to support community created plugins doesn't mean that the way it is.

 

The facts, only facts, are that unRAID is supported by the vendor via email, and that anyone who is trying to imply unRAID isn't supported by Tom is ignorant at best, or deliberately trying to undermine Lime technology.

The facts, only facts, are that unRAID is supported by the vendor via email, and that anyone who is trying to imply unRAID isn't supported by Tom is ignorant at best, or deliberately trying to undermine Lime technology.

 

I look forward to seeing your posts calling users who have problems like red balls, missing disks, etc. ignorant and link to Tom's email address. Chop Chop... I saw several recent threads in the Support Forum that you need to jump on.

 

If I am undermining Tom...

 

1. Why are my guides (which you haven't posted a single one) some of the most popular?

 

2. Why did I develop and show everyone how to use unRAID in XenServer / Xen / KVM?

 

3. Why do I maintain and keep the Xen / KVM bzroot and bzimage updated?

 

4. I just posted a new guide on how a PXE Server in unRAID the other day.

 

5. Why do I answer questions / provide to support in various threads?

 

6. Why isn't Tom deleting my posts where I ask tough questions but provide solutions / ways we all can assist?

 

Also, many of us here think the following falls under SUPPORT

 

A finished / fully working WebGUI.

 

KVM / Xen enabled in unRAID (the one Tom provides)

 

Updated Wikis / Documentation.

 

Etc.

Again, just because you think this should be an official support forum, it doesn't mean that it is.

 

You seem to have difficulty distinguishing between fact and your desires.  Maybe you've forked the truth surrounding unRAID support and you're now off in your own parallel unIVERSE.

If Tom / Mods don't have a problem with me... Not sure why you do. In every criticism I made of unRAID I have offered all kinds of solutions, offered to help out in any way I can (all on my own time for free) and money even. All you do is attack me and others.

 

I get along great with the other users (aside from 2 or 3 others like you) and will continue to support unRAID, share my Linux / Slackware / Storage / IT Knowledge, write Guides and respond in threads when / where I can.

 

Tell you what, you create a new thread with a Poll on who gets voted off the Island. Whoever loses leaves and never returns. Better make the Poll 30 days because I am working on some more Guides.

 

1. First up, is how to enable iSCSI and with gPXE directly boot a PC into Linux and Windows (yes Windows) without a hard drive using your unRAID Server (RAID or cache drive). Or how users can use iSCSI (a lot faster than NFS) and mount a "hard drive" (not a share) in Windows / Linux PCs (user sets the size) and uee their unRAID (RAID or cache) to store it.

 

2. How to install XBMC on unRAID Server (Thanks to Weebotech for showing me a brilliant way on how I do this easily)

 

I'll even give you a two full weeks to figure out how to do both of those and write it up in a guide before I post mine. You might have fighting chance of winning if you start throwing some knowledge / guides / solutions / helping people.

 

Again, just because you think this should be an official support forum, it doesn't mean that it is.

I dunno what to tell you Sherlock...

 

If you goto http://lime-technology.com why does it tell us the following? 

 

1. Official Manual - Try the Official Manual (version 4.7 only) <--- That isn't going to be of much use. Another Support issue Tom should address.

 

2. FAQ - Read the FAQ <-- Directs us to the Wikis and Forums. Doesn't tell us to email or provide an email.

 

How to get Help

 

Where can I go to find help?

 

    The main starting point for help is the Troubleshooting page. You will find out how to capture your syslog, and get specific help with boot and flash drive and hard drive issues, and tips on where to get more help.

    Search the Table of Contents above, for questions that seem similar to yours.

    Read the Un-Official UnRAID Manual.

    Check the Best of the Forums page, for links to current issues.

    Search the unRAID forums for similar problems.

    The UnRAID Wiki contains the full unRAID Manual, and a wealth of User Contributed material.

    Lastly, register on the unRAID forums, and post about your problem. See the Troubleshooting page for help with that.

 

3. Follow the troubleshooting guide which will guide you to community support. <--- Same as the others and below is what you get.

 

Trouble with your unRAID server?

 

This is the best place to start. Although the unRAID forums are a great place to find help, it is best to work through the tips and suggestions of this page first.

 

If you still need assistance, then there are a lot of helpful unRAID users on the unRAID forums. If appropriate, start by searching for posts similar in nature to your issue. Registration is not necessary to browse the forums, although we would like to hear from you. However, if you need to ask for help, you MUST register first.

 

If you have questions, please check the FAQ and the Best of the Forums first.

 

4. If I click in the Support Forum and Read Me First Sticky (or any of them)... Still points me to the wikis, forums, documentation, etc. still doesn't tell me to email Tom or what that email address is.

 

None of the four places provides the support email address or even tell you there is one.

 

Users are suppose to disregard what his own website / wikis / documentation say about how / where to get support, know his email address (it isn't in any of them) and email him, right?

 

Probably why there are 66,000+ posts / threads full of ignorant people who followed the directions / documentation / forums / wikis. Another support issue he should fix. That way people won't goto the support forum, will have his email and be able to get Tom to assist with support issues.

 

Does anyone else think I should change my name to "School Bus Driver"? I should because I take this guy to school a lot.

hmmm damn you for having a valid point ;-)

 

[sigh] well I at least I can say i manged to get what i think is a functional Arch VM+guest additions up and running along with Gnome.  Boy it is quite bare comparatively speaking.  You've got to install EVERYTHING   I suppose now maybe I will see if I can successfully create some LV's and move everything there.  You know, for science

 

I'll do a blog post on installing Arch in an LVM, it's not hard but there are a couple of steps that need to be performed in a certain order for things to work.

 

As for Arch's bareness, it doesn't install ANYTHING you don't need in order to get a functional booting system. In a way this sucks, especially for new users, but in every other way it is awesome and gives you complete control over what is installed. Having just this week decided to make the switch to Arch full time as my desktop OS from Windows I can definitely empathise that it feels VERY bare at first. I installed cinnamon and it didn't even come with a terminal!! I'm really enjoying getting to grips with this stuff though and am by no means an expert but am slowly improving...

 

Yeah it was that "couple of steps" that I didn't want to layer into the mix before I at least figured out how to get Arch up and running.  I had started doing everything in a VM, even boot (which I was pretty sure is allowed), then ran into issue that I can't remember and decided to just restart from scratch with plain old disc partitions.

 

I was very surprised to find that, as best I could tell, there wasn't even a file manager installed once I got Gnome up and running   But I quickly found nautilus and was on my way.  Same goes for a gui package manager, and then I found gnome-packagekit.

Just because I need to add my 2 cents, I did google "unraid support", the first link is the forum and the second is this: http://lime-technology.com/support/

 

"You may also contact Lime Technology directly with any technical support issue or question."

 

You can ask grumpy, I have an issue sometimes with reading and following "all" directions, but looking at this page, it seems sending an email is sort of a last resort.  Like, hey, if the forums and wiki didn't fix your issue, email us.  I would say if email was the main line of support it would be the first item on the list and tell you to send an email and the wiki and forum would be linked simply as secondary support while you wait for email response.  You never know you might find what your looking for before you get an email back sort of thing.

 

I have long been a supporter of forums, but I also understand they can prove difficult at times.  Many different opinions and sometimes there are people that want to stir the pot.  Heck, I had a guy in the AVSforum that got banned because he was sick of being harassed for his opinion and trying to help, so he created a new account, but this was against forum rules and resulted in him being banned for no good reason.  If people want to criticize grumpy for helping, then I shame on them.  If grumpy leaves because he is sick of it, I would be pissed, regardless if he kicked me out of the nest or not, he has been a huge help and because of that I am now running xen and 2 vms, one pfsense firewall and nother arch vm for sick and SAB.  Before that I had a perfectly functional vmware server, but I wanted something new.  I know the last time he left I was pretty upset because I was just getting into it when his guides went missing.

 

When I read the post that started this spat I laughed.  I got the point it was a joke.  Maybe the fact that he criticized the community for not supporting forks is what got you, but overall, you could tell he was not serious, especially when it got to the part about plex being an exception to forks being bad...

 

pfsense vs. monowall

smoothwall vs. ipcop

 

All forks and all with their own communities and honestly it goes both ways as to what is still popular.  I think people go the way of support and intervention.  If you have an OS that is not being supported and properly maintained, people will want something up to date.  This is why I chose pfsense over monowall as it was more maintained.  Sure monowall just finally added an update and now is on top of freebsd but at what cost?  If someone moves unraid into linux and calls it notRAID, it will have lots of happy customers.  Community based support works as long as the people running it listen.  Surely if everyone starts leaving unRAID for notRAID, then maybe some of the features people ask for will be added.  Maybe then things will get patched and fixed as a last ditch effort to save unRAID.  Not that unRAID is going anywhere, it is just an example of what can happen when something is not properly developed and something similar but better comes along.

 

I am in no way a linux gear head.  But if there are real security holes in unRAID, then those need to be fixed.  Just like Windows, can you imagine if Microsoft did not release security fixes?  Maybe unRAID needs to be exploited for someone to care.  It is just like linux and mac, since it was not as popular, people didnt waste their time trying to hack them and write viruses until more recently.  There is certainly a reason why Symantec added Mac and linux support to their SEP product and the reason is not because they wanted to expand their customer base.  Instead it is probably more likely because those OSes are now coming under fire more and need to be protected (before you attack, this is my opinion, I have no facts to support this, but it is only logical).

 

I agree that unRAID needs more support in the way of keeping current.  Heck, I dont need Tom on the forums daily as long as I know things are being done to better the product and keep it current and safe.

 

 

 

 

Back on topic;

 

I'm thinking of booting Arch Linux from an external USB3 HD to save a precious internal SATA port for passing through to unRAID.

 

Can I expect difficulties in this configuration given that the unRAID USB key which is also bootable is also present?

 

I know I can test this with my MB but I'd need to purchase the SATA3 drive to do it and would like an opinion before going to the expense.

 

And a supplementary: I would be planning to store VM os/boot disk images on the USB3 drive, will this significantly affect performance in any way?

 

Thanks

 

Peter