03-15-2025, 10:13 AM
Here are the step-by-step instructions to install a Linux virtual machine on Unraid OS Pro:
**Prerequisites:**
* You have an existing Unraid server with Unraid OS Pro installed.
* You have a compatible CPU that supports hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
* You have enough free disk space and RAM for the VM.
**Step 1: Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI**
1. Restart your Unraid server and enter the BIOS settings by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot.
2. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and look for options related to virtualization (e.g., Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
3. Ensure that both Virtualization Technology and Extended Page Tables are enabled.
**Step 2: Install VM Manager**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "Plugins" tab, then click on "Add Plugin".
3. Search for "VM Manager" (also known as "Virtual Machine Manager") and select it from the results.
4. Click "Install" to download and install the plugin.
**Step 3: Create a New VM**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "VMs" tab, then click on "Create VM".
3. Fill out the required information:
* **Name**: Choose a name for your Linux virtual machine (e.g., "Ubuntu 20.04").
* **CPU Cores**: Select the number of CPU cores you want to allocate to this VM.
* **RAM**: Assign sufficient RAM memory for your VM (at least 1 GB).
* **Storage**: Allocate storage space from one or more disk pools. You can also create a new pool specifically for this VM if needed.
**Step 4: Configure Network Settings**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your newly created Linux virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Edit".
3. In the VM configuration page:
* **Network**: Select a network interface (e.g., LAN or WAN) for this VM.
* **IP Address**: Assign an IP address from the pool you created earlier.
**Step 5: Install Linux**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your Linux virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Start".
3. The VM will boot up with a blank screen. You'll need to install Linux from scratch:
* Insert the installation media (USB drive or CD/DVD) for your chosen Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora).
* Follow the standard Linux installation process.
**Popular Linux distributions and their installation methods:**
* **Ubuntu**: Use a USB drive with the official Ubuntu ISO image.
* **CentOS**: Use a USB drive with the official CentOS ISO image or use the `yum` package manager to install from within Unraid (see below).
* **Fedora**: Use a USB drive with the official Fedora ISO image.
**Alternative: Install Linux using yum**
If you're familiar with the command line, you can also install Linux directly on your Unraid server without booting into an installation environment. This method is useful for more advanced users:
1. Create a new VM as described above.
2. Boot up the VM and login to it via SSH or console (using `ssh` from within Unraid).
3. Install packages using yum: `sudo yum install <package_name>`.
**Step 6: Configure Linux**
Once installed, configure your Linux virtual machine as desired:
* Set a root password.
* Update and patch the system with `apt-get update && apt-get upgrade`.
* Install additional software or tools if needed.
That's it! Your Linux virtual machine should now be running on Unraid OS Pro.
**Prerequisites:**
* You have an existing Unraid server with Unraid OS Pro installed.
* You have a compatible CPU that supports hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
* You have enough free disk space and RAM for the VM.
**Step 1: Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI**
1. Restart your Unraid server and enter the BIOS settings by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot.
2. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and look for options related to virtualization (e.g., Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
3. Ensure that both Virtualization Technology and Extended Page Tables are enabled.
**Step 2: Install VM Manager**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "Plugins" tab, then click on "Add Plugin".
3. Search for "VM Manager" (also known as "Virtual Machine Manager") and select it from the results.
4. Click "Install" to download and install the plugin.
**Step 3: Create a New VM**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "VMs" tab, then click on "Create VM".
3. Fill out the required information:
* **Name**: Choose a name for your Linux virtual machine (e.g., "Ubuntu 20.04").
* **CPU Cores**: Select the number of CPU cores you want to allocate to this VM.
* **RAM**: Assign sufficient RAM memory for your VM (at least 1 GB).
* **Storage**: Allocate storage space from one or more disk pools. You can also create a new pool specifically for this VM if needed.
**Step 4: Configure Network Settings**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your newly created Linux virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Edit".
3. In the VM configuration page:
* **Network**: Select a network interface (e.g., LAN or WAN) for this VM.
* **IP Address**: Assign an IP address from the pool you created earlier.
**Step 5: Install Linux**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your Linux virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Start".
3. The VM will boot up with a blank screen. You'll need to install Linux from scratch:
* Insert the installation media (USB drive or CD/DVD) for your chosen Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora).
* Follow the standard Linux installation process.
**Popular Linux distributions and their installation methods:**
* **Ubuntu**: Use a USB drive with the official Ubuntu ISO image.
* **CentOS**: Use a USB drive with the official CentOS ISO image or use the `yum` package manager to install from within Unraid (see below).
* **Fedora**: Use a USB drive with the official Fedora ISO image.
**Alternative: Install Linux using yum**
If you're familiar with the command line, you can also install Linux directly on your Unraid server without booting into an installation environment. This method is useful for more advanced users:
1. Create a new VM as described above.
2. Boot up the VM and login to it via SSH or console (using `ssh` from within Unraid).
3. Install packages using yum: `sudo yum install <package_name>`.
**Step 6: Configure Linux**
Once installed, configure your Linux virtual machine as desired:
* Set a root password.
* Update and patch the system with `apt-get update && apt-get upgrade`.
* Install additional software or tools if needed.
That's it! Your Linux virtual machine should now be running on Unraid OS Pro.