NVME as cache and VM passthrough, is it possible?

[Rhodius]

Hi,

 

I'm new to Unraid and just finished setting up my VM to boot from the same Windows install as baremetal NVME Windows, I posted the guide/walkthrough/struggles in the VM section.

 

However throughout the setup I kept thinking if is there a way to use the same NVME as cache and VM and how?  If not do I need a separate NVME/SSD?

 

My intention is to use Unraid as data storage, so this will have to run as NAS 24/7, I'd like to run Plex as well. I understand I want Plex to be on something fast, I assume it's not gonna like sharing with VM where the VM take full ownership of the drive. However on the occasion I need to activate the VM for gaming, does that mean for Unraid cache and Plex cache, I need a separate SSD and kept the one NVME I have for the purpose of VM? I have a 500Gb NVME that I partitioned to a bootable Windows install using only 76Gb, leaving about 400Gb available that I was gonna use as Unraid cache partition if this setup is possible. Can someone show me a guide or tell me this is not possible and to get another SSD/NVME? Can I passthrough only certain partition for VM purpose and use the other partition of the same NVME as Unraid cache?

 

Thanks.

Edited July 1, 2020 by Rhodius