I have been running VM's with unraid since before V6 betas (using XenServer and running unraid as a guest dom). I made the switch to unraid as host with V6b 5 or 6 (I forget), and have moved to docker containers for almost everything.

 

However, I have a couple of things I need a pure VM for (running Ubuntu flavors) and I want to go ahead and build a gaming VM (steam or windows, maybe both) for the living room—not going overboard, and my hardware can handle it with just a video card(s) added. I have been running Xen for my VM needs, but it's been flaky of late, and I decided to look at options.

 

I installed the KVM tools (dmacias72's plugins) which look super cool. But, I have no idea where to go to learn how to write the XML config file, or really, where to start in general.

 

I have poured through the forums, but, a lot of the initial stuff was written back in the days of b6, and I know A LOT has changed since then. Pointers to still good articles are appreciated (my google-fu is usually Matrix worthy, but there's just too much signal to noise ratio).

 

I also have two basic questions: (1) can I run Xen and KVM VM's at the same time (curious mostly, I plan on making a call one way or the other)

(2) w/o starting a holy war, what are the current advantages of Xen over KVM or vice-versa for single box home server VM use?

 

So, VM specialists--go! Tell me what to do and why :-)

 

Thanks.

 

 

I have been running VM's with unraid since before V6 betas (using XenServer and running unraid as a guest dom). I made the switch to unraid as host with V6b 5 or 6 (I forget), and have moved to docker containers for almost everything.

 

However, I have a couple of things I need a pure VM for (running Ubuntu flavors) and I want to go ahead and build a gaming VM (steam or windows, maybe both) for the living room—not going overboard, and my hardware can handle it with just a video card(s) added. I have been running Xen for my VM needs, but it's been flaky of late, and I decided to look at options.

 

I installed the KVM tools (dmacias72's plugins) which look super cool. But, I have no idea where to go to learn how to write the XML config file, or really, where to start in general.

 

I have poured through the forums, but, a lot of the initial stuff was written back in the days of b6, and I know A LOT has changed since then. Pointers to still good articles are appreciated (my google-fu is usually Matrix worthy, but there's just too much signal to noise ratio).

 

I also have two basic questions: (1) can I run Xen and KVM VM's at the same time (curious mostly, I plan on making a call one way or the other)

(2) w/o starting a holy war, what are the current advantages of Xen over KVM or vice-versa for single box home server VM use?

 

So, VM specialists--go! Tell me what to do and why :-)

 

Thanks.

 

I can answer #1. You can't run both. One or the other.  For #2 I was running Xen since the beginning of beta 6. I moved to KVM because of flaky network/rocket rides and to try and solve some io issues I had with mythbuntu and parity checks. The io issues were probably solved by kernel updates.  The one thing I like was the 9p direct file sharing between unRAID and guest. Much more stable but not as fast as cifs shares. A good resource on xml can be found here.

https://libvirt.org/formatdomain.html

 

I mainly run mythbuntu and ubuntu server. I have a few test vm's but no passthrough. So others will have to tell you what to do there.

 

You can use the vmMan/dynamix.kvm.manager to create a vm and the xml will be generated for you.  For both my linux vm's I just enter a name, select iso image, select linux, pick machine i440fx (cause they don't need the extras the q35 has) , 2 vcpus, 2048 for both men settings then the location I want the vm folder to be created (/mnt/domains for me) and 10G for the disk size.  Then create.  For the server I did select 9p sharing so my apps download directly to my cache drive.  I can try to answer any questions.

So, once I figured out how to create a pool for my ISO storage set up of VM's under KVM was SO EASY. I didn't select a "drivers" iso, and I am assuming that is a Windoze specific thing, but everything worked once it was up.

 

I am having problems setting up the 9p sharing though. When I try to set a VM up with that turned on, the VM won't create. I am sure that there is a log somewhere showing why, but I don't know where to look.

 

And, assuming I get that set up, I am guessing there is some fstab mounting that needs to be done in the VM to make it work.

 

Also, I am guessing that if I am setting up a Windoze VM, I just drop the iso in the pool and the VM creator will do the rest?

 

TL:DR version

1. iso drivers--only windows right?

2. 9p sharing--on setup, are there tricks, and on VM side, what needs to be done

3. Windows VM creation--just drop iso in pool and go?

 

 

Thanks-Troy

 

 

So, once I figured out how to create a pool for my ISO storage set up of VM's under KVM was SO EASY. I didn't select a "drivers" iso, and I am assuming that is a Windoze specific thing, but everything worked once it was up.

 

I am having problems setting up the 9p sharing though. When I try to set a VM up with that turned on, the VM won't create. I am sure that there is a log somewhere showing why, but I don't know where to look.

 

And, assuming I get that set up, I am guessing there is some fstab mounting that needs to be done in the VM to make it work.

 

Also, I am guessing that if I am setting up a Windoze VM, I just drop the iso in the pool and the VM creator will do the rest?

 

TL:DR version

1. iso drivers--only windows right?

2. 9p sharing--on setup, are there tricks, and on VM side, what needs to be done

3. Windows VM creation--just drop iso in pool and go?

 

 

Thanks-Troy

What version unRAID and plugin are you using? The newest is a little different.

1. iso drivers are mainly for windows unless another os might need it.

 

2. For 9p I just use /mnt and shares and then there's the fstab settings on the first page of the vmMan plugin page.  The new dynamix version also has a debug checkbox for showing more errors.  So you can see why it's not creating the vn.

 

3. If your using a version with pools then yes the iso just has to be in the pool folder.  If you move it there then just refresh the pool.  The newer version does away with pools and allows you to use a file browser.

dmacias--you have been enormously helpful.

 

Once I updated the plugin (wasn't showing an update was available if I just hit the check update button), everything became clear.

 

I now have super vm's working, and am all kinds of excited about trying some pass-through stuff. I can't wait to show this off in the living room.

 

Thanks

 

 

dmacias--you have been enormously helpful.

 

Once I updated the plugin (wasn't showing an update was available if I just hit the check update button), everything became clear.

 

I now have super vm's working, and am all kinds of excited about trying some pass-through stuff. I can't wait to show this off in the living room.

 

Thanks

No problem I'm happy to help.  What graphics card you planning on pasting through?

 

Dmacias is the man.  I seriously owe this guy a case of beers for helping everyone here and making a really great plugin that has let people have a sophisticated web management tool for KVM.  Thanks for doing all you do man!!

Dmacias is the man.  I seriously owe this guy a case of beers for helping everyone here and making a really great plugin that has let people have a sophisticated web management tool for KVM.  Thanks for doing all you do man!!

Thanks I'll be looking on my porch everyday I get home. 

 

Thanks I'll be looking on my porch everyday I get home. 

So if we actually managed to get beer delivered to your porch would you be more happy or really freaked out? I'd probably be the latter.

Dmacias is the man.  I seriously owe this guy a case of beers for helping everyone here and making a really great plugin that has let people have a sophisticated web management tool for KVM.  Thanks for doing all you do man!!

Thanks I'll be looking on my porch everyday I get home. 

 

I will chip in for this. 

 

No problem I'm happy to help.  What graphics card you planning on pasting through?

 

I just bought (with gift card I had to get rid of at Best Buy--weird I used to love that place, and now I never go, I digress) a Radeon R5 220. Very low horsepower, but something to see proof of concept, and when I am ready to go production, I can always use it for my Ubuntu VM or maybe a Steam VM. Also, no risk since I didn't pay for it.

We've tested an r5 230 and it worked.

 

 

 

Thanks I'll be looking on my porch everyday I get home. 

So if we actually managed to get beer delivered to your porch would you be more happy or really freaked out? I'd probably be the latter.

I would probably look to left then right then be happy and freaking out that I had cold beer on the porch from the interweb.

Beer is beer.  Period! 

 

(spoken like a true Irishman)

Beer is beer.  Period! 

 

(spoken like a true Irishman)

No offense, but if you think that beer is beer you have never had any good beer. 

Beer is beer.  Period! 

 

(spoken like a true Irishman)

No offense, but if you think that beer is beer you have never had any good beer.

 

As I drink a Swithwicks right now. 

Beer is beer.  Period! 

 

(spoken like a true Irishman)

No offense, but if you think that beer is beer you have never had any good beer.

 

As I drink a Swithwicks right now. 

You're forgiven...  I had images of you sitting down drinking a $3.99 case (24) of Piels

I've been known to do that to.  Always adapt to the situation. 

 

Honestly, I have been brewing my own for 10+ years.

Beer is beer.  Period! 

 

(spoken like a true Irishman)

No offense, but if you think that beer is beer you have never had any good beer.

 

As I drink a Swithwicks right now. 

You're forgiven...  I had images of you sitting down drinking a $3.99 case (24) of Piels

 

Apologies in advance, because this post might be more appropriate on a beer forum. 

 

My wife went to Ireland about 9 years ago and brought me back a 6 pack of Smithwicks.  Some of the best beer I've ever had.  Anyone know of an easy and legal way to get some in the NC region of the USA?

Apologies in advance, because this post might be more appropriate on a beer forum. 

 

My wife went to Ireland about 9 years ago and brought me back a 6 pack of Smithwicks.  Some of the best beer I've ever had.  Anyone know of an easy and legal way to get some in the NC region of the USA?

Should be easy these days to get this in NC. McCoul's Irish Pub here in Greensboro has it on tap, for example. Total Wine will probably have it. I haven't looked for it at my neighborhood Total Wine but I would be very surprised if it wasn't there.

 

If you're ever in Greensboro, you must take a look at the "Beer Wall" at the Bestway on the corner of Walker and Elam. I'm sure they have Smithwicks.

Beer is beer.  Period! 

 

(spoken like a true Irishman)

No offense, but if you think that beer is beer you have never had any good beer.

 

As I drink a Swithwicks right now. 

You're forgiven...  I had images of you sitting down drinking a $3.99 case (24) of Piels

 

Apologies in advance, because this post might be more appropriate on a beer forum. 

 

My wife went to Ireland about 9 years ago and brought me back a 6 pack of Smithwicks.  Some of the best beer I've ever had.  Anyone know of an easy and legal way to get some in the NC region of the USA?

 

Pretty much all of the beer distributors around me carry it.  Yeah...in PA we can't buy beer in a market...we need to go to an actual "beer distributor" for beer and a "state store" (gov't run) for wine/liquor.  F'ing Quakers!

 

One note...in Ireland make sure you call it "Shmiddicks". 

 

John O'D.... 

I agree, Smithwicks is an awesome beer, unfortunately you can't get it in the UK and when I enquired why at the brewery tour in Kilkenny I was told because England has enough ales already, so they only export to the USA, you lucky lot.  Although having said that we do have a huge selection of craft ales in the UK.