I currently have a workstation I use for productivity and gaming, as well as a ‘server’ running on an old Athlon CPU primarily functioning as a file server running Unraid, with several Docker containers.

For much beyond NAS functionality, this server is very underpowered, it’s running an array of old HDDs, and where I’m messing around more with different environments, I could really use the ability to quickly spin up and switch between OS’s.

Upgrading the server seems kinda silly when my workstation already has enough power and is always up. I’m thinking about running the workstation as the server using Unraid, setting it up with a HBA and some SAS drives I already have, then running several VMs.

I’d be daily driving these VMs, planning on Windows still for now, with things like CAD and gaming remaining the primary functions. I’d like to experiment with Linux more for regular use, and will likely be running additional VMs for development and experiments.

This sounds like a logical idea, but I’m concerned about some of the potential technicalities that could cause me problems. I know anticheat can be a concern, but I don’t think that will effect any games I play.

Are there any additional things I should consider here? Am I best interfacing via thin client, or can I connect directly?

  • 𝚝𝚛𝚔@aussie.zoneEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    You could always use Windows as your host OS to maintain your ability to game and generally be productive as you currently use it, but then run VirtualBox for whatever other OS your heart desires.

    You can run it headless and start on boot so you won’t even know it’s operating in the background unless you open the console.