How to start VM locally

[jgs2n]

I am new to the vm world.  I have a windows 10 VM working great.  I get to it from windows remote.  I am uncertain how to start it from the actual local unraid server console? 

 

One other question:  Do most run antivirus software on the VM?

 

Thanks

[dirtyofries]

I guess I'm not clear - are you attempting to access the VM from a local monitor/keyboard connected to the unRAID server? And the VM is already running on unRAID?

[jgs2n]

Yes.  I am unsure how to access the vm from the local monitor/keyboard connected to the unraid server.  The VM has been created and is running.  Can you turn VM's off and switch vm's etc.

 

Thanks

[jonp]

Yes.  I am unsure how to access the vm from the local monitor/keyboard connected to the unraid server.  The VM has been created and is running.  Can you turn VM's off and switch vm's etc.

 

Thanks

 

You cannot access the VM graphics session using a local mouse, keyboard, and monitor unless you have a discrete GPU assigned (not on-board graphics).  The wiki in my signature has guides on how to do this.

 

As for turning VMs off and on again, you do this from the VMs tab on the unRAID webGui (default is http://tower or http://tower.local from Mac devices).

[jgs2n]

Thanks. I think I understand.  Just for clarification...

 

So if I start a VM (via the unraid web interface) and it has passed through local graphics, this is what will appear on a monitor plugged into the passed through graphics card?

 

 

[jonp]

Thanks. I think I understand.  Just for clarification...

 

So if I start a VM (via the unraid web interface) and it has passed through local graphics, this is what will appear on a monitor plugged into the passed through graphics card?

 

Correct.  This ONLY works with discrete GPUs (not on-board / integrated graphics).

[methanoid]

Is it however possible to start a VM from the console?  Yes I know you can autostart a VM... but..

 

Example Scenario

 

unRAID running on IGP for console, GPU passed through to Windows VM. Want to switch from Windows VM to Linux VM (or Mac!)

 

Does the starting of a VM from the web interface using the GPU currently in use automatically cause the Windows VM to cleanly shut down and then the Linux VM to start? If it does, then problem is solved. If it does NOT then you get dumped to nothing on the GPU screen and have a console only to start your Linux VM.

 

I ask as I hope to run VMs for Windows, Mac, AROS, Android etc and would like to be able to easily switch or even to know how to switch!!

 

Thanks

 

EDIT: I found you can start a VM from SSH with “virsh start VMname-script??” but don't know the names. Hoping I still don't have to as someone might know if starting a VM with same GPU might power down the other using it?

[itimpi]

Is it however possible to start a VM from the console?  Yes I know you can autostart a VM... but..

 

Example Scenario

 

unRAID running on IGP for console, GPU passed through to Windows VM. Want to switch from Windows VM to Linux VM (or Mac!)

 

Does the starting of a VM from the web interface using the GPU currently in use automatically cause the Windows VM to cleanly shut down and then the Linux VM to start? If it does, then problem is solved. If it does NOT then you get dumped to nothing on the GPU screen and have a console only to start your Linux VM.

 

I ask as I hope to run VMs for Windows, Mac, AROS, Android etc and would like to be able to easily switch or even to know how to switch!!

 

Thanks

 

EDIT: I found you can start a VM from SSH with “virsh start VMname-script??” but don't know the names. Hoping I still don't have to as someone might know if starting a VM with same GPU might power down the other using it?

i have not tried it, but I am reasonably certain that if the GPU is in use by another VM then starting a VM that needs it will fail (I.e. The other VM will continue running).  I do not believe this is any different if you try and start a VM via the GUI or the CLI.

[CHBMB]

Can confirm this is the case itimpi

[methanoid]

I wonder if it is possible to script the VM startup script to shutdown (cleanly) and other VM using the same GPU. Otherwise with one machine how can you close one VM and open another?