Inexpensive Dev-Server for Virtualization and unRAID plugin development

[Ogi010]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping that I can get some input from you guys, as I am really unsure where to search for. In short, I am looking for a server platform that I can install unRAID to test out plugin development, as well as dick around with setting up a virtualization host (with KVM or Xen) and managing a number of other virtual OSs that way.

I currently have an unRAID server, however I don't want to mess around on that platform given the amount of data it currently stores and the uptime I currently enjoy from it.

Some features that I would need would be VT-d, as well as the ability to add up to 3 (or more) drives. Outside that, I just need the hardware to play nice with unRAID, which most hardware does.

I thought I came across something that was going to fit the bill nicely, the HP DC7900, it has an Intel Q45 chipset (VT-d support), and the unit could be found on eBay for under $100. It even had 2x PCIe slots, however it only had room for 1x 3.5in hard drive.

If anyone here would have any suggestions, I would be quite thankful.

 

[holden j caufield]

I do it, a lot of vm testing with the w520. It holds 32gb of ram, has esata etc. It has vt-d and I directly pass through devices to the vm. My work laptop I run win 7 with with vmware workstation and can run a vm esxi inside vmware workstation, or hyper-v vm. At home I run esxi directly on the laptop, I passthrough the controller and run a virtualized freenas and it runs good. It pulls less than 40 watts. I use the esata to connect a 3.5 or use an expresscard with esata multiplier to multiple 3.5 drives. Though I run 2.5" drives and the performance is fine for me.

 

[Ogi010]

I do it, a lot of vm testing with the w520. It holds 32gb of ram, has esata etc. It has vt-d and I directly pass through devices to the vm. My work laptop I run win 7 with with vmware workstation and can run a vm esxi inside vmware workstation, or hyper-v vm. At home I run esxi directly on the laptop, I passthrough the controller and run a virtualized freenas and it runs good. It pulls less than 40 watts. I use the esata to connect a 3.5 or use an expresscard with esata multiplier to multiple 3.5 drives. Though I run 2.5" drives and the performance is fine for me.

Thanks for the reply, not sure how I didn't notice it earlier.

I hadn't considered using a laptop, ..... although that would work quite nicely now that I think about it.

I'm wondering with an expresscard what kind of eSATA splitter I can get...

Thanks again for the suggestion!