2013-12-02, 15:15
** If you're interested in finding out more about how I did what I did, I blog as I go and all my instructions are available here - blog.ktz.me **
During the summer I set out to consolidate my desktop, htpc and unraid server into one box using virtualisation. The results, I'm pleased to say, exceeded my pre-project expectations! I now have one box running 4 OSs concurrently, including a Windows virtual machine with full VGA passthrough which I use as my daily desktop (see pic at the bottom) but also for flawless gaming. Quick rundown of the OSs:
Dom0 (Host) - Arch Linux with Xen 4.3 and XBMC
- Utilises the CPU built-in graphics to run XBMC via a HDMI splitter to my TV in the lounge and kitchen. Only requires 15GB of SSD space and 1GB RAM to run, this is why I love Arch (among other reasons).
DomU1 - unRAID
- 18TB of protected storage available for usage by all VMs and acts as a NAS device
DomU2 - Windows 8.1 (with full 3d VGA passthrough)
- The really nifty bit here isn't the running of Windows as a VM or even the VGA passthrough, it's that I figured out a way using DevManView to automatically eject the card on reboot (this made Windows unusable before). It has been working flawlessly for over 3 months so I'd say it's ready for primetime!
DomU3 - Arch VM
- For Sab, Sickbeard, PLex etc...
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Windows gaming performance seems to be the most popular question I've been asked about so I made a little video showing F1 2013 running at max settings smooth as silk @ 60FPS using my 7870.
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I have written extensively about how to do this on my blog, so please go check it out. Or just ask Qs here - whatever, I'll try to answer.
During the summer I set out to consolidate my desktop, htpc and unraid server into one box using virtualisation. The results, I'm pleased to say, exceeded my pre-project expectations! I now have one box running 4 OSs concurrently, including a Windows virtual machine with full VGA passthrough which I use as my daily desktop (see pic at the bottom) but also for flawless gaming. Quick rundown of the OSs:
Dom0 (Host) - Arch Linux with Xen 4.3 and XBMC
- Utilises the CPU built-in graphics to run XBMC via a HDMI splitter to my TV in the lounge and kitchen. Only requires 15GB of SSD space and 1GB RAM to run, this is why I love Arch (among other reasons).
DomU1 - unRAID
- 18TB of protected storage available for usage by all VMs and acts as a NAS device
DomU2 - Windows 8.1 (with full 3d VGA passthrough)
- The really nifty bit here isn't the running of Windows as a VM or even the VGA passthrough, it's that I figured out a way using DevManView to automatically eject the card on reboot (this made Windows unusable before). It has been working flawlessly for over 3 months so I'd say it's ready for primetime!
DomU3 - Arch VM
- For Sab, Sickbeard, PLex etc...
****************************************************************************
Windows gaming performance seems to be the most popular question I've been asked about so I made a little video showing F1 2013 running at max settings smooth as silk @ 60FPS using my 7870.
****************************************************************************
I have written extensively about how to do this on my blog, so please go check it out. Or just ask Qs here - whatever, I'll try to answer.
