Home Lab Enthusiast Successfully Virtualizes TrueNAS on Proxmox
A home lab enthusiast has successfully transitioned their TrueNAS storage solution to a virtual machine (VM) within a Proxmox environment, enhancing efficiency and power management. This move was prompted by the need to consolidate resources on a new, robust server while maintaining the functionality of critical self-hosted services.
The journey began with a modest setup featuring a Ryzen 7 3700X processor, an Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti GPU, and 24GB of RAM. Initially installed on an older PC, TrueNAS served as a gateway into the world of home labbing, supporting various applications like Home Assistant and Nextcloud. As the enthusiast upgraded to a more powerful server, they opted to run TrueNAS as a VM instead of on bare metal.
From Bare Metal to Virtualization
The decision to virtualize TrueNAS arose from the desire to reduce power consumption and streamline operations. With two additional Proxmox nodes already in place—one running OPNsense and the other hosting new services—the user sought a way to integrate TrueNAS without maintaining a separate physical server. This transition was initially seen as a temporary solution, but it quickly proved advantageous.
To facilitate the move, the user exported their TrueNAS storage pools and backed up the configuration, which is easily restored using a simple .tar file. After installing TrueNAS as a VM on the new Proxmox machine, they passed through the SATA controller, allowing TrueNAS to have full control over the storage hardware. This setup ensures that TrueNAS operates seamlessly, maintaining the same interface and functionality as before.
Benefits of Virtualization
The virtualization of TrueNAS has since become a permanent arrangement, providing significant benefits. The user noted that having a distinct separation between Proxmox and TrueNAS not only enhances security but also simplifies management. By implementing Virtual Function I/O, the SATA controller is dedicated solely to TrueNAS, preventing any interference from Proxmox. This separation safeguards critical data and offers peace of mind when experimenting with different configurations on the Proxmox host.
The flexibility of this setup allows the user to efficiently access storage while still enjoying the advantages of TrueNAS’s robust storage management. They have successfully mounted TrueNAS storage on the Proxmox host using SMB shares, further demonstrating the compatibility of the two systems.
While there are valid methods for file sharing on a network, this virtualization model offers a clear path that meets the user’s unique needs. The ease of migration took less than 30 minutes, highlighting the efficiency of the process and the user’s satisfaction with the outcome.
Overall, this case exemplifies how virtualization can redefine home lab setups. By consolidating resources and maintaining a clear separation between services, enthusiasts can enjoy enhanced functionality and greater control over their environments. The experience serves as a testament to the growing trend of virtualization in home lab configurations and the potential for optimizing both performance and resource management.
