Install TrueNAS Scale on Proxmox VE: Full detailed Instructions and SATA Controller Passthrough to VM

Introduction

In today’s digital age, managing and storing data efficiently is crucial. TrueNAS Scale, a powerful open-source storage software, offers a robust solution for managing storage on a home server or enterprise environment. When combined with Proxmox VE, a leading open-source virtualization platform, users can leverage a powerful and flexible infrastructure. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on installing TrueNAS Scale on Proxmox VE, including detailed instructions on SATA controller passthrough to a virtual machine (VM). Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this tutorial will help you set up a high-performance storage system tailored to your needs.

Installation Instructions

Before diving into the installation process, ensure you meet the prerequisites for a seamless setup.

Prerequisites

• Hardware: A 64-bit processor with virtualization support (VT-x/AMD-V), at least 8GB of RAM, and sufficient storage space for TrueNAS Scale.
• Software: Proxmox VE installed and configured on your server.
• Network: A stable network connection for downloading necessary software components.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Download the latest ISO of TrueNAS Scale from the official website.
2. Log into your Proxmox VE dashboard.
3. Upload the TrueNAS Scale ISO to the Proxmox VE ISO storage. Navigate to Datacenter > Storage, select your ISO storage, and click Upload.
4. Create a new VM for TrueNAS Scale:
   1. Go to Create VM in the top right corner of the Proxmox dashboard.
   2. Configure the General settings: input a name for your VM.
   3. Under OS, select the uploaded TrueNAS Scale ISO.
   4. Configure System settings: use a BIOS type of OVMF (UEFI) and enable QEMU Agent.
   5. Allocate CPU and memory resources as per your server’s capabilities. A minimum of 2 CPUs and 8GB RAM is recommended.
   6. For the Hard Disk, use VirtIO for better performance.
   7. Review and finish VM creation.
5. Start the VM and access the console to initiate the TrueNAS Scale installation.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install TrueNAS Scale on the allocated disk.
7. Once installed, reboot the VM and access the TrueNAS Scale interface through its IP address.

SATA Controller Passthrough

To ensure direct hardware access and optimal performance, we will pass through a SATA controller to the TrueNAS Scale VM.

1. Identify the PCI ID of the SATA controller using the Proxmox shell:

lspci | grep SATA

2. Edit the Proxmox VM configuration file located at /etc/pve/qemu-server/<VMID>.conf and add the SATA controller:

hostpci0: 00:1f.2

3. Ensure IOMMU is enabled in the BIOS and Proxmox configuration by adding the following lines to /etc/default/grub:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet intel_iommu=on"

4. Update the GRUB configuration and reboot the server:

update-grub && reboot

5. After reboot, verify that the SATA controller is passed through by checking TrueNAS Scale’s hardware section.

Main Content Sections

Configuring TrueNAS Scale

With TrueNAS Scale installed, it’s time to configure it for optimal use. This includes setting up storage pools, creating datasets, and managing permissions.

Creating Storage Pools

1. Navigate to the Storage section in the TrueNAS dashboard.
2. Click on Create Pool and select the disks you want to include in the pool.
3. Choose a RAID configuration that suits your redundancy and performance needs.
4. Finalize the pool creation and start configuring datasets.

Advanced Configuration

Explore advanced features like snapshots, replication, and network configuration to leverage the full potential of TrueNAS Scale.

Comparison of Similar Tools

While TrueNAS Scale is a robust solution, there are alternatives like OpenMediaVault and Unraid. Here is a comparison to help you decide the best fit for your needs.

Practical Examples or Case Studies

Consider a small business scenario where data integrity and redundancy are paramount. Using TrueNAS Scale, the business can set up a reliable storage solution with features like automated snapshots and remote replication to ensure data safety and accessibility.

Tips, Warnings, and Best Practices

• Regular Backups: Always maintain regular backups of critical data to prevent data loss.
• Monitor System Health: Use TrueNAS Scale’s built-in tools to monitor drive health and system performance.
• Security: Regularly update TrueNAS Scale to the latest version to ensure security patches are applied.

Conclusion

By following this comprehensive tutorial, you should now have a fully functional TrueNAS Scale instance running on Proxmox VE with SATA controller passthrough. This setup provides a high-performance, flexible, and reliable storage solution for your home or business needs. Continue exploring TrueNAS Scale’s features to tailor your storage environment further.

Additional Resources

• TrueNAS Documentation – Official documentation for detailed feature exploration.
• Proxmox Forum – Community discussions for troubleshooting and tips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can TrueNAS Scale be installed on other virtualization platforms? Yes, TrueNAS Scale can be installed on other platforms like VMware and VirtualBox with similar steps.
• What are the benefits of using ZFS in TrueNAS Scale? ZFS provides high data integrity, efficient snapshots, and dynamic disk striping, making it ideal for enterprise-level storage solutions.

Troubleshooting Guide

Encounter issues during installation or operation? Here are some common problems and solutions:

• VM Fails to Boot: Ensure the correct BIOS settings and sufficient resources are allocated.
• SATA Controller Not Detected: Verify IOMMU settings and PCI passthrough configuration.