TrueNAS Core on VM with host RAID controller

pwojda

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
Messages
8
Hi,

I've got DELL PowerEdge R430 with H700 RAID controller and 2 VMs. I'd like to backup VM1 to TrueNAS on VM2. Since, it is not possible to run TrueNAS on RAID controller will it work if TrueNAS is installed in VM?

Regards,
Przemek
 

sretalla

Powered by Neutrality
Moderator
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Messages
9,702
it is not possible to run TrueNAS on RAID controller
I'm not clear on why you think it won't run, but here are the reasons you shouldn't do that: https://www.truenas.com/community/t...s-and-why-cant-i-use-a-raid-controller.81931/

If you don't actually care about the data (maybe a reasonable assumption since you're proposing to back up the data to another VM on the same host, which doesn't really account for many situations that would help protect your data), you can ignore all the warnings and do whatever you want with the server you have. Be prepared to lose the data if a RAID controller is in the mix at all.
 

pwojda

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
Messages
8
Thank you. This isn't the only NAS I plan to have, the other will be in distanced location where I want to ftp or sync data to. However, in the host location, I've got only one physical machine thus idea for running it in VM.

I understand that even with VM it is highly not recommended - is that right?
 

sretalla

Powered by Neutrality
Moderator
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Messages
9,702
I understand that even with VM it is highly not recommended - is that right?
Using a VM doesn't change anything about the fact that it's a RAID controller. To do it in a supported way in a VM, you would pass an HBA PCI card through directly into the VM, so in your proposed case you would still be passing through a RAID card ... or worse, ignoring the advice and using virtual disks on top of RAID from the host OS.
 

pwojda

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
Messages
8
Thank you. One last thing - would it change anything if I create RAID on 4 out 8 hard drives in physical machine and remaining 4 leave for NAS to operate on? Will there still be a conflict?
 

sretalla

Powered by Neutrality
Moderator
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Messages
9,702
if I create RAID
If this part is still in the equation at all (even in legacy disk mode for the remaining disks) it's still not going to be good for your data.

TrueNAS needs entire PCI controllers to work with (and those need to be HBA, not RAID).
 
Top