I have been happily running XenServer using grumpybutfun's excellent guide for months. But, I want to move to unraid native. The reasons are not technical, I just want to try the new version. I do hope to use what I have learned since I made the jump to XenServer, and figure out some new stuff too.

 

I am running a ASRock Xtreme6 Z87 with a i5-4570 and 24GB of ram. In the current configuration I have a 128GB SSD that Xenserver sits on, a 1TB platter that my VM's live on, and then my array drives which are passed through to unraid running as a guest. I have four VM's, three ubuntu, and one Windows (without pass-through, only VNC). I run sickbeard/sabnzbd+ on one ubuntu (my PVR), openvpn and transmission on another, and plex on it's own. I have the system currently set up that I can SSH in to the PVR-VM and connect to the other VM's via tunnels and ssh to control things remotely if need be.

 

I have purchased a new 250GB SSD to use as the cache/VM drive under unRaid 6. I want to set up one VM (or docker) for plex, sickbeard and sabnzbd, a Windows VM with a graphic card passed to it (which I have not bought yet), and maybe a SteamOS running a different graphic card at some point down the road. Might also want to set up a VM running pfsense (but will probably wait until 6 goes master first).

 

I have a huge (80GB) plex database (lots of TV DVD rips) and I think it runs better, and puts less stress on the system when the database isn't on an array drive. My intention is to leave it running in a pristine VM with a 128GB allotted to it's vDisk for growth, instead of a docker setup. Mostly because I don't know anything about docker, and I know exactly how to make it work in a VM; it's my mission critical app—plex is why my wife puts up with me having a very expensive and time consuming hobby.

 

I also want to do this with as little down time as necessary, and hopefully make everything run smoothly from the beginning. AND, maintain my XenServer setup as a fallback if everything tanks.

 

So, I am going to post what I think I need to do, in the order I think I need to do it, and ask for advice.

 

1. I need to backup my plex database to an array disk, screenshot my unraid array drive setup, and mark drives and cables.

2. Install the new cache drive in the system, unplug the SSD and VM-drive used by XenServer (to maintain that setup as fallback), reboot with my second unRAID 6 flash drive with key installed.

3. Make sure that primary unraid services are functional: array drives work (parity will be trusted, but I have to look up how to do that), networking is functional, setup and install new cache drive in system as BTRFS. Reboot, make sure all still works.

4. create vDisk for the first new VM on the new cache drive;

5. create the Domain XML file;

6. create the VM, install TrustyTahr; test. (I have huge questions here about networking)

7. Assuming all works; install plex, copy database following their directions

8. repeat for VM2 and VM3 to replicate current setup (skipping docker entirely for now)

9. once current system is setup, then start futzing about with installing a new Windows VM with passthrough.

 

Now, questions:

1. If I make the new cache drive btrfs, will I be able to add the old SSD to the "pool" once I have verified that the new setup works and I don't need to maintain the XenServer setup?

2. Is there a networking guide under unraid6/Xen?

3. Under unraid 6, I am assuming a VM connecting to the array would use SMB? But a docker app would connect natively? Pros/Cons?

4. Am I nuts for trying this when the current setup works pretty well?

 

Okay. Thanks in advance for everything. I will be writing a step-by-step guide as I do this to make it easier for the next person too. All bits I can add from the collective genius that is the boards is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

Why not run your addons in Docker containers instead of a VM? Unless you need to do video passthrough, Docker is a better way to go.

I could totally run them in a docker, I just don't know anything about it. And, since I need to have Plex running in about 10 seconds after I make the move, I wanted something I was comfortable with.

 

I think I am going to hold off a bit until I have a grasp on Docker so I can use it instead. But I would still like to figure out how to run VM's in unRaid6

 

While 10 seconds might be a challenge, you could realistically be up and running with a plex Docker in less than 1/2 hour. And after that, enabling things like SB or SAB in less than a minute.

 

Biggest issue for the first one is having to format either your cache disk or another disk (I use an SSD) in BTRFS.

 

jonp has a btrfs guide that is easy to follow and doesn't take long. After that, enabling Docker is one click. Loading gfjardim's plugin is super easy. There is a template for plex already created in the plugin. You would just need to satisfy the volume container requirements - which is probably mostly the /config directory. If you have an install folder directory (e..g, /opt/plexmediaserver) on your VM you could literally copy it to your cache disk, edit the config file, and associate it with the /config volume and be up and running in no time.

 

I am not one to oversimplify. This is very easy to do.

 

READ HERE

you could literally copy it to your cache disk, edit the config file, and associate it with the /config volume and be up and running in no time.

 

I am not one to oversimplify. This is very easy to do.

 

READ HERE

 

I am almost sold. When you say edit the config file, for plex or the docker file? And, on that subject, the Run commands I have seen have had one location for media, but I have two shares (Movies & TV). Should I just do a /mnt/user/ for media access, and then point Plex to the right folders?

 

And, one more thing. In unraid6 ssh is built in, so I can (if I turn off password logins and only use certificates) fairly safely open up a port for access from the outside world as I have done with my VM currently? I do not open port 22 to the outside world, it's mapped to it on the VM's ip. I would just point to unraid now...assuming it's safe enough.

I meant edit your plex config file.

 

I can't answer your plex specific questions as I don't use it. The two shares should not be an issue. You can pass /mnt from the host to  /mnt in the container giving you the flexibility to do almost anything you need. So all disks and user shares are fully available to the container using the identical paths that the unRaid OS uses.

 

If you have specific plex Docker questions suggest you post in one of the Docker threads where plex is being discussed.

I have made the plunge, and I think I am up and running. I have Plex, sab, and sickbeard all running in docker containers. I am going to open up two VM's still, but I have had one up and running as a test.

 

Thanks for your help and encouragement.