Hi all,

 

I'm complete newbie to unRaid, all my virtualization up to now is done with virtualbox which is fine but I kind of want something "more"

 

For some reason my "work" VM which I use for my daily job as software developer takes 15 minutes to get up. I have no idea if that's because I assigned 16gb ram to it or something sluggish had ninjad into my startup or what but it gets annoying when you just want to jump in to check last build which would take like 20 seconds but you already turned that VM off.

 

Another thing is that my "work" VM is hosted on my home PC which I use for everything else but work. So I browse internet, play games, watch movies, install / reinstall stuff, usual things. I'm worried that at some point I will break my Win and will have to reinstall it and it will make my work impossible to do. I know Win7 installs in like 5 minutes but we all know OS from iso is not all you need. There's always that one additional driver, software, thingy you even forgot you needed to install and now you are sitting there at 5am tired and pissed off because in 3 hours you should start implementing new feature client is waiting for.

 

So I would like to divide work from home / play and having two separate VMs hosted independently seems like a good first step.

 

Second thing is I would like to setup my own lab with servers I need for testing in my work (exchange, domino, my customers' stuff). I would like to be able to setup them in various network configurations (for example domain controller + 2 exchange servers + 1 "client" VM) to test stuff like traffic, performance, etc.

 

My current hardware is:

CPU: i5-2400 (I think it's this one http://ark.intel.com/products/52208/Intel-Core-i5-2400S-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_30-GHz)

Mobo: Asus P8P67 Deluxe rev 3

RAM: 32GB (4 x 8GB @1600)

HDD: WD 3TB (this is my mass storage place with ISOs, movies, music, etc.)

SSD: 2 x Crucial MX100 512GB (for stuff needing to be "fast": steam games, my VMs) + Adata 120GB for my host Win7

GFX: nVidia GTX780 3GB

 

Few questions:

1. Do you think my hardware is ok for my plans? According to ARK my CPU supports both vt-x and vt-d but I'm not sure about my mobo. I don't see vt-d related settings in BIOS but I never updated BIOS so I'm running v1606 and last one at Asus's website is v3606. Anybody can share some light on this before I go and fry my mobo with new BIOS?

2. I would probably put one VM per SSD for my work / home VMs (I have no issue with buying 1 or 2 SSDs for sideshow VMs like my testlab) so I would get max speed I can. HDD would be place for shared storage. Does it make sense?

3. My home / play VM definitely would need passthrough for my GTX but what if I wanted to run separate VM to play with games development in Unity or DirectX or whatever? Can I "share" gfx card with other VMs when one VM would have it as "dedicated"? Please forgive me lack of proper words

 

I think that's all for now. I would be grateful if you could take a moment and correct all silly things I wrote above

In meantime have a nice rest of weekend

I found a few answers on my own.

 

Apparently Asus with chipset P67 doesn't support vt-d. Intel decided to not authorize it for that chipset or sth so it starts from Q67 even though other mobo manufacturers have vt-d support implemented for P67.

 

No vt-d means no GPU passthrough to Win VM so I should either drop idea of unRaid for now or just drop some cash on the problem. I chose the latter of course and here's my new hardware that should arrive tomorrow:

- Asus Z170-A

- i7-6700K because I want Skylake but the one that supports 64GB ram

- DDR4 2x16GB G.SKILL Ripjaws V (my 4x8GB DDR3 wouldn't work and 2x16 is more future proof)

- 2x WD Red 3TB (exactly as the one I currently have)

 

So now I should be able to take advantage of everything that unRaid has to offer and have VMs with performance and quality my current "real" system offers.

 

I will use new HDDs as initial array, migrate everything from my current WD red and all SSDs to it, then include WD Red into array (probably as parity disk since all data already will be in unRaid). All my SSDs will act as cache, 1.2TB should be ok I guess.

That would overall mean I will have 6 disks plugged in so Basic unRaid licence should be enough for now.

 

Question is do I forget about anything obvious?

 

EDIT:

 

In fact there is one more question I can't pinned down definitive answer to:

Does it matter if my machine can't have physical network cable and uses TP-Link wireless 5G adapter to communicate with my Asus AC1900 router?

In fact there is one more question I can't pinned down definitive answer to:

Does it matter if my machine can't have physical network cable and uses TP-Link wireless 5G adapter to communicate with my Asus AC1900 router?

 

That could be a BIG problem, if there's no driver included for that adapter!  And I'm not optimistic that there is, haven't heard it mentioned anywhere.

 

But it's hard to imagine a modern motherboard without a wired connection.

 

That could be a BIG problem, if there's no driver included for that adapter!  And I'm not optimistic that there is, haven't heard it mentioned anywhere.

 

But it's hard to imagine a modern motherboard without a wired connection.

 

It's not that mobo doesn't have wired connection. Layout of my apartment doesn't allow for dragging cables to my PC. On the other hand are you saying that unRaid being so awesome can't work with only wifi? That's kind of lame.

Its not that UnRaid can't work with wifi, more so that UnRaid the OS might not have a driver for you wireless network card. What you might want to look into are power adapters that allow you to run ethernet over your electrical wiring. Your mileage may vary as their effectiveness really depends on how good the wiring in your building is, but essentially you buy the kit that comes with two plugs, one goes into the wall near your server and you plug the ethernet cable from your UnRaid server into it, the other plug goes near your router and you plug a cable from it to your router or switch. I played with a kit a long time ago and it didn't work out for me but if I recall you didn't need drivers just one windows PC to configure them.

 

Working with wireless can be fine, but also dodgy if you are going to do large file transfers or streaming.

Its not that UnRaid can't work with wifi, more so that UnRaid the OS might not have a driver for you wireless network card. What you might want to look into are power adapters that allow you to run ethernet over your electrical wiring. Your mileage may vary as their effectiveness really depends on how good the wiring in your building is, but essentially you buy the kit that comes with two plugs, one goes into the wall near your server and you plug the ethernet cable from your UnRaid server into it, the other plug goes near your router and you plug a cable from it to your router or switch. I played with a kit a long time ago and it didn't work out for me but if I recall you didn't need drivers just one windows PC to configure them.

 

Working with wireless can be fine, but also dodgy if you are going to do large file transfers or streaming.

Would recommend this, or go with a wireless to ethernet adapter.

Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/EA-N66-Ultra-Fast-Wireless-Repeater-High-Power/dp/B007ZT23ZE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461074685&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+ea

 

That could be a BIG problem, if there's no driver included for that adapter!  And I'm not optimistic that there is, haven't heard it mentioned anywhere.

 

But it's hard to imagine a modern motherboard without a wired connection.

 

It's not that mobo doesn't have wired connection. Layout of my apartment doesn't allow for dragging cables to my PC. On the other hand are you saying that unRaid being so awesome can't work with only wifi? That's kind of lame.

There's been very little interest in wireless for a file server.  It's customary to wire it directly to the router or indirectly through a switch.  Then the router provides wireless support to the rest of the network.  In general, wired beats wireless, and that's important for server services.

 

However, if you can determine what driver you need, you can request it from Tom ([email protected]), and he's been very good at adding them in the next release.  unRAID runs in RAM, so it tries to be as lean as possible, and only includes what is absolutely necessary.

Nah, I invested enough in proper wifi to be confident it works at max performance and I refuse to compromise it for some electricity driven network voodoo

 

or go with a wireless to ethernet adapter.

Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/EA-N66-Ultra-Fast-Wireless-Repeater-High-Power/dp/B007ZT23ZE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461074685&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+ea

 

I have this adapter http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-11_Archer-T2U.html

Is that from your link any better? As far as I can see it basically has same features only with more eye candy that simple thumbdrive. Or am I missing something obvious?

 

There's been very little interest in wireless for a file server.  It's customary to wire it directly to the router or indirectly through a switch.  Then the router provides wireless support to the rest of the network.  In general, wired beats wireless, and that's important for server services.

 

That's the problem with making "file server" so awesome that even dudes like me who honestly can't stand thought of using linux are seriously thinking about using it to run their Win VMs If unRaid would be still just NAS I wouldn't even look in its direction.

 

However, if you can determine what driver you need, you can request it from Tom ([email protected]), and he's been very good at adding them in the next release.  unRAID runs in RAM, so it tries to be as lean as possible, and only includes what is absolutely necessary.

 

Thank you, I will keep it in mind.

 

You know it's not a problem to take my box to network socket and have cable connected for initial setup. But since I'm using this box as my daily driver and I want to continue using it as such it needs to be where I am and it's far away from nearest network cable plug. So if wifi won't work (although it's linux and linux people are always bragging how EVERYTHING works great there as opposed to Windows ) I will have to look for other solution to have my virtualization needs taken care of. For example use Windows Server 2012 or sth.

Nah, I invested enough in proper wifi to be confident it works at max performance and I refuse to compromise it for some electricity driven network voodoo

 

or go with a wireless to ethernet adapter.

Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/EA-N66-Ultra-Fast-Wireless-Repeater-High-Power/dp/B007ZT23ZE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461074685&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+ea

 

I have this adapter http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-11_Archer-T2U.html

Is that from your link any better? As far as I can see it basically has same features only with more eye candy that simple thumbdrive. Or am I missing something obvious?

You will need drives with the one you have, since it is a usb.

The one I linked will take a wifi signal, and send it out with a ethernet cable. No drives for wifi is needed then.

You will need drives with the one you have, since it is a usb.

The one I linked will take a wifi signal, and send it out with a ethernet cable. No drives for wifi is needed then.

 

Ah, so I plug it into network socket on my mobo just as I would do with regular cable. Yes, too obvious to notice, derp

Thanks for suggestion, will keep that in mind.

 

 

 

That could be a BIG problem, if there's no driver included for that adapter!  And I'm not optimistic that there is, haven't heard it mentioned anywhere.

 

But it's hard to imagine a modern motherboard without a wired connection.

 

It's not that mobo doesn't have wired connection. Layout of my apartment doesn't allow for dragging cables to my PC. On the other hand are you saying that unRaid being so awesome can't work with only wifi? That's kind of lame.

There's been very little interest in wireless for a file server.  It's customary to wire it directly to the router or indirectly through a switch.  Then the router provides wireless support to the rest of the network.  In general, wired beats wireless, and that's important for server services.

 

However, if you can determine what driver you need, you can request it from Tom ([email protected]), and he's been very good at adding them in the next release.  unRAID runs in RAM, so it tries to be as lean as possible, and only includes what is absolutely necessary.

 

I am afraid it is more than just adding a driver. There is currently no way to enter wireless specific settings from the GUI. It comes down to a manual configuration using CLI, not really convenient and won't survive a reboot.

 

Best bet would be to go for wired-to-wireless adapters, which allow a wired server to hook into a wireless network (access point).

 

On the other hand are you saying that unRaid being so awesome can't work with only wifi? That's kind of lame.

unRAID is a server technology.  Server side technology - ANY kind of server side technology, under any OS, in the home, in the office - is poorly suited to being connected via WiFi.  WiFi is subject to delays, interference, stuttering, and bandwidth limitations.  That may be Ok when you consume data, but it's a paralyzing set of limitations when you're serving data up.  unRAID doesn't tend to support all the WiFi adapters because they really aren't appropriate for server based usage scenarios.  I agree that MOCA or Ethernet over Powerline are better options.

Hey guys, thanks a lot for all your answers and explanations about wifi issue. I totally get "server" side of those arguments. Server is not client and its reliable network connection is crucial thus cable being best. And now I am just click away from ordering that N66 wifi - cable adapter because $60 or sth is pennies next to what I already dropped today on hardware and if that will make my unRaid virtualization dream come true it's worth it.

 

One more question that might be nail to the coffin of this whole project or last unknown explained.

 

What is the easiest way to switch between VMs when I'm physically sitting next to unRaid box with my 2 monitors connected and mouse and keyboard and stuff? I know VMs can be configured to start up with unRaid but since I will either work or play I will want either my "work" or my "play" VM to start up. So do I boot up into unRaid and then start VM from command line / webUI or do I make "work" VM to start as default one and if I want to play I change GPU passthrough to go to my "play" VM, set it to start at boot and restart the box? Or maybe there are some plugins / scripts that make all this more convenient?

 

I assume people who heard about unRaid from LTT's "2 gamers 1 PC" video like I did are not only after NAS / backup / serious stuff and use unRaid for this kind of work / relax duality so there should be some way to accommodate their needs, right?

Have not tried it myself, but you can use a mobile app, and wake on Lan for the vm. Then you can start which vm you would like.

Oh, that sounds handy. I could do it in the morning between killing my alarm clock and forcing myself out of coziness of my bed

Thanks for suggestion. To teh googleh machine!

 

I assume it's this plugin: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=44017.0

Sounds like a great QoL addin to unRaid.

 

On the other hand I could always use my laptop and start appropriate VM from webUI but that kind of lacks 'wow' factor

Oh, that sounds handy. I could do it in the morning between killing my alarm clock and forcing myself out of coziness of my bed

Thanks for suggestion. To teh googleh machine!

 

I assume it's this plugin: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=44017.0

Sounds like a great QoL addin to unRaid.

 

On the other hand I could always use my laptop and start appropriate VM from webUI but that kind of lacks 'wow' factor

Yeah, that is the plugin.

I don't remember the mobile app tho

No problem, stuff like that are just details, icing on the cake. Most important part if to know if unRaid is really for me or maybe I should just dualboot my work / play Windows installations, organize my work and private data to be accessible from both but not bound to any of them and do other stuff that wouldn't make my life into living hell of unknown issues.

 

I really hope that I will be able to setup everything I want the way I want without spending more than day or two on it and without losing all my data, especially work related stuff.

 

I think I will start with running unRaid without any of my current drives so in case something f's up I will be able to just connect them back and enjoy old setup with new cpu / mobo / ram. Fresh new HDDs should be ok to start with unRaid and when I will see I'm getting what I wanted I can always transfer data and include HDD / SSDs into unRaid array / cache pools. At least that looks as most sensible thing to do right now.