So I just built my first unraid box.  It is great for combining files across drive and I am looking forward to expanding it and filling it with files.

 

Right now however I have some server type software running on my desktop.  I am looking for a way to move that to my unRaid box so my desktop doesn't always have to be on.  Right now the software I am running is BTSync, SQL (for xbmc), FlexGet and a few custom python scripts.  I may want to run ownCloud as well and possibly other things too.

 

I don't know a ton about Linux.  I can get around some but don't understand all the inner workings.  I have played with installing and configuring ArchLinux and would knid of like to continue to do so.

 

When I planned my box I was planning to virtualize ArchLinux and run this software on the vm.  But as I installed unraid an was looking at the alternatives I decided I should ask what would be best.  I see that things seem to leaning towards docker.  Should I work at setting these up with docker?  Is a VM simple enough for someone tech savvy but a linux newbie to run?  Which should I use KVM or Xen?  I am still a little partial to a VM or two.

 

Hopefully I was clear enough.  Thank you in advance for the help.

I am a noob when it comes to Linux.  I made the jump to 6 and with the help of the rocket man plugin I've found it very easy to add the containers I want.  Gonna to a VM for the ws I needed scared me.  Docker makes it a walk in the park.

 

No reason not to go to docker first as it's easy, then over time start on the VM.  I did similar in that I went from  v5 plugin to v6 plugin thanks to PhAzE's work.  Now I am moving from plugin to docker step by step.

Right now however I have some server type software running on my desktop.  I am looking for a way to move that to my unRaid box so my desktop doesn't always have to be on.  Right now the software I am running is BTSync, SQL (for xbmc), FlexGet and a few custom python scripts.  I may want to run ownCloud as well and possibly other things too.

If the number of applications is limited then I would lean towards using Docker as this is closer to the one-click install 'appliance' approach.  If you want a more open-ended answer then a VM is the way forward.  There is no reason to not use a combined approach with some apps in a VM and others under Docker as Docker can be used in parallel with KVM/Xen.

 

I don't know a ton about Linux.  I can get around some but don't understand all the inner workings.  I have played with installing and configuring ArchLinux and would knid of like to continue to do so.

 

When I planned my box I was planning to virtualize ArchLinux and run this software on the vm.  But as I installed unraid an was looking at the alternatives I decided I should ask what would be best.  I see that things seem to leaning towards docker.  Should I work at setting these up with docker?  Is a VM simple enough for someone tech savvy but a linux newbie to run?  Which should I use KVM or Xen?  I am still a little partial to a VM or two.

Running a VM is just like having another PC without the need to have additional hardware.  Using a VM to get experience with Linux makes a lot of sense as if you hit issues you can always start again without affecting the host system.

 

At the moment the jury seems to be out as to whether to go with Xen or KVM.  Xen has been present in the last few v6 betas, but KVM was only introduced as a possibility in b6 so the community has more experience with Xen.  You choose at unRAID boot time whether you want KVM or Xen so there is nothing to stop you trying them both out.  It is looking as though KVM may be better if you want to do things like 'passthru' of hardware (particularly video cards) to a VM, but this is not certain and certainly subject to change.  Xen appears to be a easier to set up at the moment but I suspect this is due as much to  lack of documentation on KVM as any real issue.  I am guessing that at some point Limetech may make a policy decision as to which they recommend but I do not expect that decision soon.

If you have a free choice between docker and XEN/KVM choose docker and that is the way the wind is blowing.

You can chose KVM and running Arch.

 

To install some apps, just run packer!

Example.....

packer -S air-video-server
packer -S transmission-cli
packer -S plexconnect-git
packer -S plexmediaserver
packer -S logitechmediaserver
packer -S sabnzbd

 

You are all set after some hour, depending how much you want to install. No fiddling with all the docker commands ;-)

 

This is my opinion.

 

//Peter

Having run both an Arch VM under Xen and Docker, I would recommend Docker, unless you have some specific needs that requires a VM (i.e. hardware pass-through). The beauty of Docker is you only get what you need vs a VM where you are buying the whole OS each time whether you need it or not. VMs definitely have their place, but I am finding Docker far more flexible.

 

The only caveat for Docker is your need a cache drive, or another non-array disk to format as BTFRS. If you can supply this, I would use Docker for your main functions, and use a VM to play with  (Xen or KVM doesn't matter). If you don't have a cache drive, or something you can format with BTFRS then stick with a VM.

 

If you are going to look into Docker I highly suggest you install gfjardim's Extended Docker config page. It's an awesome addon that makes Docker that much easier to manage.

if any program you want to run/install is available in a docker*, that's the 'best' way to move forward, IMO**.

 

Docker is virtually guaranteed to remain in unRAID for the foreseeable future.  VKM or XEN are likely to remain for a while, but which one, if either will be there in a few months/years is unknown at this time.

 

In addition, dockers have 'direct' access to hardware, and seem to run faster than VM setups.

 

I think you'll be seeing more available/better support for dockers moving forward, so you'll get any questions/problems/issues resolved faster/easier with dockers than VM.

 

Now; if you want to learn/play with Linux, then by all means create a VM, and have a go.

 

*I think all programs you mentioned are available as dockers, but I'm not positive.

 

**If you do go with dockers, be sure to install the docker plugin, it makes it MUCH easier for you to get up and running quickly, and makes docker management easier as well.

Thank you guys for all the good info.  I think I will run docker for the things I know I will be keeping on my server (SQL, Deluge).  This makes sense because then all these utilities are at the same ip address.

 

I will then have a vm where I will run the other things that I plan on changing or need to work to get all the way setup.  Then later I will move those to docker.  I may also have a vm to experiment with because I can't wreck anything in it.

 

A couple of last questions.

To use docker I need a disk formatted BTFRS.  Can I do this to an SSD safely?  Does it support trim?  Can it be done outside the array (Im on a free license right now and can't run it as a chache drive yet)?

Does anyone know of a tutorial for installing ArchLinux into KVM?

 

Thank you guys so much for all the help.

Thank you guys for all the good info.  I think I will run docker for the things I know I will be keeping on my server (SQL, Deluge).  This makes sense because then all these utilities are at the same ip address.

 

I will then have a vm where I will run the other things that I plan on changing or need to work to get all the way setup.  Then later I will move those to docker.  I may also have a vm to experiment with because I can't wreck anything in it.

 

A couple of last questions.

To use docker I need a disk formatted BTFRS.  Can I do this to an SSD safely?  Does it support trim?  Can it be done outside the array (Im on a free license right now and can't run it as a chache drive yet)?

Does anyone know of a tutorial for installing ArchLinux into KVM?

 

Thank you guys so much for all the help.

 

Yes, BTFRS is ideal for SSD and it supports trim. You can also mount outside of the array (Jonp posted a guide on doing exactly this).

 

As for the Arch in KVM, I am not sure. Check the KVM forum and see. I think Grumpy or IronicBadger may have something posted.