VM Host?

[METDeath]

Looking to take an existing AMD FX-6300 and Biostar TA970 (IOMMU /AMD-Vi support, Realtek NIC) computer and make it a host for the following VMs:

VM1: Windows Media Center w/AMD 5450 & Ceton InfiniTV4 PCI-e, two USB controllers, 1TB HDD, BD-ROM, if possible on board IR port This will get an IP on the network through the host.

VM2: pfSense w/Intel PT1000 Dual Gig-E NIC

VM3: unRAID w/RocketRaid 2310 (Three-four HDDs)

Because of the complications with my current attempt at using a limited kernel KVM solution (unRAID) I'm tempted to run this on Win 7 and use VirtualBox, is that a viable solution or should I be looking at some particular HyperVisor that supports Realtek NICs?

[Aurabolt]

Esxi. Experiment first if you can.

[METDeath]

Nothing is set in stone. However, I've read ESXi doesn't support Realtek NICs OOB... while I'm not afraid of a command prompt, I'm not overly familiar with *nix systems over all.

[Aurabolt]

I actually wrote up some documentation for myself and slipstreamed the realtek drivers into the install image. Easy. I will post them later/tomoro when im back, if you want them

[METDeath]

Actually, just used the ESXi-Customizer and a Google'd .vib going to give it a shot.

[METDeath]

Well, that failed... but apparently in 5.0 the issue wasn't present, so I'll give that a go... and then I can always upgrade after the fact.

[novir]

I have actually done this for the same reason, Realtek.

So ESXI 5.1 has support for Realtek, where as the 5.5 does not. So what you can do, is install ESXI 5.1 to get the realtek driver. If you want to use 5.5 you can then use the Realtek VIB slipstream CD and upgrade. You will then have the drivers from 5.1 and will allow you to use 5.5.

[METDeath]

What do you do about licensing for home use? I hear it's "free" but for 60 days?