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  1. I got it to work !!!!!! I changed pcie to pci and it worked <qemu:arg value='ioh3420,bus=pci.0,addr=1c.0,multifunction=on,port=1,chassis=1,id=root.1'/> <domain type='kvm' xmlns:qemu='http://libvirt.org/schemas/domain/qemu/1.0'> <name>Windows8A</name> <uuid>845a07d3-7a99-efd3-d169-9534d9fe9c48</uuid> <memory unit='KiB'>4194304</memory> <currentMemory unit='KiB'>524288</currentMemory> <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu> <os> <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-i440fx-2.1'>hvm</type> <boot dev='hd'/> </os> <features> <acpi/> <apic/> </features> <clock offset='localtime'> <timer name='hypervclock' present='yes'/> <timer name='hpet' present='no'/> </clock> <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff> <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot> <on_crash>restart</on_crash> <devices> <emulator>/usr/bin/qemu-system-x86_64</emulator> <disk type='file' device='disk'> <driver name='qemu' type='qcow2'/> <source file='/mnt/disk/unbound/Windows8A/Windows8.qcow2'/> <target dev='hda' bus='virtio'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x04' function='0x0'/> </disk> <disk type='file' device='cdrom'> <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/> <source file='/mnt/user/isos/win81vl.iso'/> <target dev='hdc' bus='ide'/> <readonly/> <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='1' target='0' unit='0'/> </disk> <controller type='usb' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x2'/> </controller> <controller type='pci' index='0' model='pci-root'/> <controller type='ide' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x1'/> </controller> <interface type='bridge'> <mac address='52:54:00:eb:66:9f'/> <source bridge='br0'/> <model type='virtio'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x03' function='0x0'/> </interface> <serial type='pty'> <target port='0'/> </serial> <console type='pty'> <target type='serial' port='0'/> </console> <input type='tablet' bus='usb'/> <memballoon model='virtio'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x05' function='0x0'/> </memballoon> </devices> <qemu:commandline> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='ioh3420,bus=pci.0,addr=1c.0,multifunction=on,port=1,chassis=1,id=root.1'/> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='vfio-pci,host=01:00.0,bus=root.1,addr=00.0,multifunction=on,x-vga=on'/> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='vfio-pci,host=01:00.1,bus=root.1,addr=00.1'/> </qemu:commandline> </domain>
  2. Thanks, I have amended the line in syslinux.cfg default /syslinux/menu.c32 menu title Lime Technology prompt 0 timeout 50 label unRAID OS menu default kernel /bzimage append intel_iommu=on vfio_iommu_type1.allow_unsafe_interrupts=1 pcie_acs_override=downstream initrd=/bzroot label unRAID OS Safe Mode (no plugins) kernel /bzimage append initrd=/bzroot unraidsafemode label Memtest86+ kernel /memtest label Xen/unRAID OS kernel /syslinux/mboot.c32 append /xen --- /bzimage --- /bzroot label Xen/unRAID OS Safe Mode (no plugins) kernel /syslinux/mboot.c32 append /xen --- /bzimage --- /bzroot unraidsafemode Running lspci -k confirms that passthrough worked 01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: AMD/ATI [Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.] Cedar [Radeon HD 5000/6000/7350 Series] Subsystem: XFX Pine Group Inc. Device 3033 Kernel driver in use: vfio-pci 01:00.1 Audio device: AMD/ATI [Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.] Cedar HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 5400/6300 Series] Subsystem: XFX Pine Group Inc. Device aa68 Kernel driver in use: vfio-pci I added this to the windows 8 XML <qemu:commandline> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='ioh3420,bus=pcie.0,addr=1c.0,multifunction=on,port=1,chassis=1,id=root.1'/> </qemu:commandline> The vmMananger plugin automatically add <domain type='kvm' xmlns:qemu='http://libvirt.org/schemas/domain/qemu/1.0'> If I only add this line I get the following error message if I try and start the VM Warning: libvirt_domain_create(): internal error: process exited while connecting to monitor: 2015-02-06T19:47:54.808024Z qemu-system-x86_64: -device ioh3420,bus=pcie.0,addr=1c.0,multifunction=on,port=1,chassis=1,id=root.1: Bus 'pcie.0' not found in /usr/local/emhttp/plugins/dynamix.kvm.manager/classes/libvirt.php on line 832 I then removed <graphics type='vnc' port='-1' autoport='yes' websocket='-1' listen='0.0.0.0'> <listen type='address' address='0.0.0.0'/> </graphics> <video> <model type='vmvga' vram='9216' heads='1'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x02' function='0x0'/> </video> I also added additional lines to the windows 8 xml <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='vfio-pci,host=01:00.0,bus=root.1,addr=00.0,multifunction=on,x-vga=on'/> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='vfio-pci,host=01:00.1,bus=pcie.0'/> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> When I try starting the VM it fails If I turn debugging on I get the following error showing up on my screen:- Warning: libvirt_domain_create(): internal error: process exited while connecting to monitor: qemu-system-x86_64: -device -msg: could not open disk image timestamp=on: Could not open 'timestamp=on': No such file or directory in /usr/local/emhttp/plugins/dynamix.kvm.manager/classes/libvirt.php on line 832 The error seems to be linked to the changes I made to the XML as it does not come up before them.
  3. I have been struggling along for the past 2 weeks trying to get VGA pass-through to work. I am just not getting anywhere. I have used the same hardware to achieve Unraid/XEN/Windows8 passthrough but moving over to KVM I cannot figure out what I need to do. I have built 3 working Virtual machines already:- Windows 8.1 <domain type='kvm'> <name>Windows8</name> <uuid>845a07d2-7a99-efd3-d169-9534d9fe9c48</uuid> <memory unit='KiB'>4194304</memory> <currentMemory unit='KiB'>524288</currentMemory> <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu> <os> <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-i440fx-2.1'>hvm</type> <boot dev='hd'/> </os> <features> <acpi/> <apic/> </features> <clock offset='localtime'> <timer name='hypervclock' present='yes'/> <timer name='hpet' present='no'/> </clock> <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff> <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot> <on_crash>restart</on_crash> <devices> <emulator>/usr/bin/qemu-system-x86_64</emulator> <disk type='file' device='disk'> <driver name='qemu' type='qcow2'/> <source file='/mnt/disk/unbound/Windows8/Windows8.qcow2'/> <target dev='hda' bus='virtio'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x04' function='0x0'/> </disk> <disk type='file' device='cdrom'> <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/> <source file='/mnt/user/isos/win81vl.iso'/> <target dev='hdc' bus='ide'/> <readonly/> <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='1' target='0' unit='0'/> </disk> <controller type='usb' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x2'/> </controller> <controller type='pci' index='0' model='pci-root'/> <controller type='ide' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x1'/> </controller> <interface type='bridge'> <mac address='52:54:00:eb:66:9f'/> <source bridge='br0'/> <model type='virtio'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x03' function='0x0'/> </interface> <serial type='pty'> <target port='0'/> </serial> <console type='pty'> <target type='serial' port='0'/> </console> <input type='tablet' bus='usb'/> <input type='mouse' bus='ps2'/> <input type='keyboard' bus='ps2'/> <graphics type='vnc' port='-1' autoport='yes' websocket='-1' listen='0.0.0.0'> <listen type='address' address='0.0.0.0'/> </graphics> <video> <model type='vmvga' vram='9216' heads='1'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x02' function='0x0'/> </video> <memballoon model='virtio'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x05' function='0x0'/> </memballoon> </devices> </domain> Windows 10 Preview <domain type='kvm'> <name>Windows10</name> <uuid>7d74c6e5-e35e-6265-be2d-0e9385afaba0</uuid> <memory unit='KiB'>524288</memory> <currentMemory unit='KiB'>524288</currentMemory> <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu> <resource> <partition>/machine</partition> </resource> <os> <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-i440fx-2.1'>hvm</type> <boot dev='hd'/> </os> <features> <acpi/> <apic/> </features> <clock offset='localtime'> <timer name='hypervclock' present='yes'/> <timer name='hpet' present='no'/> </clock> <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff> <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot> <on_crash>restart</on_crash> <devices> <emulator>/usr/bin/qemu-system-x86_64</emulator> <disk type='file' device='disk'> <driver name='qemu' type='qcow2'/> <source file='/mnt/disk/unbound/Windows10/Windows10.qcow2'/> <target dev='hda' bus='virtio'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x04' function='0x0'/> </disk> <disk type='file' device='cdrom'> <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/> <source file='/mnt/user/isos/Windows10_TechnicalPreview_x64_EN-GB_9926.iso'/> <target dev='hdc' bus='ide'/> <readonly/> <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='1' target='0' unit='0'/> </disk> <controller type='usb' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x2'/> </controller> <controller type='pci' index='0' model='pci-root'/> <controller type='ide' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x1'/> </controller> <interface type='bridge'> <mac address='52:54:00:38:ce:e4'/> <source bridge='br0'/> <model type='virtio'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x03' function='0x0'/> </interface> <serial type='pty'> <target port='0'/> </serial> <console type='pty'> <target type='serial' port='0'/> </console> <input type='tablet' bus='usb'/> <input type='mouse' bus='ps2'/> <input type='keyboard' bus='ps2'/> <graphics type='vnc' port='-1' autoport='yes' websocket='5700' listen='0.0.0.0'> <listen type='address' address='0.0.0.0'/> </graphics> <video> <model type='vmvga' vram='9216' heads='1'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x02' function='0x0'/> </video> <memballoon model='virtio'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x05' function='0x0'/> </memballoon> </devices> </domain> Mac OS Yosemite <domain type='kvm' xmlns:qemu='http://libvirt.org/schemas/domain/qemu/1.0'> <name>OSX-Yosemite-10.10</name> <uuid>0ba39646-7ba1-4d41-9602-e2969a3fc26d</uuid> <metadata> <type>None</type> </metadata> <memory unit='KiB'>4194304</memory> <currentMemory unit='KiB'>4194304</currentMemory> <vcpu placement='static'>2</vcpu> <resource> <partition>/machine</partition> </resource> <os> <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-q35-2.1'>hvm</type> <kernel>/mnt/user/isos/chameleon_svn2510_boot</kernel> <boot dev='cdrom'/> <bootmenu enable='yes'/> </os> <features> <acpi/> </features> <cpu mode='custom' match='exact'> <model fallback='allow'>core2duo</model> </cpu> <clock offset='utc'/> <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff> <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot> <on_crash>destroy</on_crash> <devices> <emulator>/usr/bin/qemu-system-x86_64</emulator> <disk type='file' device='disk'> <driver name='qemu' type='qcow2'/> <source file='/mnt/disk/unbound/Yosemite/Yosemite.qcow2'/> <target dev='hda' bus='ide'/> <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='0' target='0' unit='0'/> </disk> <controller type='usb' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x02' slot='0x01' function='0x0'/> </controller> <controller type='ide' index='0'/> <controller type='sata' index='0'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x1f' function='0x2'/> </controller> <controller type='pci' index='0' model='pcie-root'/> <controller type='pci' index='1' model='dmi-to-pci-bridge'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x1e' function='0x0'/> </controller> <controller type='pci' index='2' model='pci-bridge'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x01' slot='0x01' function='0x0'/> </controller> <interface type='bridge'> <mac address='52:54:00:00:20:20'/> <source bridge='br0'/> <model type='e1000-82545em'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x02' slot='0x03' function='0x0'/> </interface> <input type='mouse' bus='ps2'/> <input type='keyboard' bus='ps2'/> <graphics type='vnc' port='-1' autoport='yes' websocket='-1' listen='0.0.0.0'> <listen type='address' address='0.0.0.0'/> </graphics> <video> <model type='vga' vram='9216' heads='1'/> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x01' function='0x0'/> </video> <memballoon model='virtio'> <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x02' slot='0x02' function='0x0'/> </memballoon> </devices> <seclabel type='none' model='none'/> <qemu:commandline> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='usb-kbd'/> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='usb-mouse'/> <qemu:arg value='-device'/> <qemu:arg value='isa-applesmc,osk=ASCII KEY'/> <qemu:arg value='-smbios'/> <qemu:arg value='type=2'/> </qemu:commandline> </domain> LSPCI reveals the following:- 00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Haswell DRAM Controller (rev 06) 00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Haswell PCI Express x16 Controller (rev 06) 00:01.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Haswell PCI Express x4 Controller (rev 06) 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Haswell Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 06) 00:03.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation Haswell HD Audio Controller (rev 06) 00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Lynx Point USB xHCI Host Controller (rev 05) 00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation Lynx Point MEI Controller #1 (rev 04) 00:1a.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Lynx Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 (rev 05) 00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation Lynx Point High Definition Audio Controller (rev 05) 00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point PCI Express Root Port #1 (rev d5) 00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point PCI Express Root Port #3 (rev d5) 00:1c.3 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point PCI Express Root Port #4 (rev d5) 00:1c.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point PCI Express Root Port #5 (rev d5) 00:1c.6 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point PCI Express Root Port #7 (rev d5) 00:1c.7 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point PCI Express Root Port #8 (rev d5) 00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Lynx Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 (rev 05) 00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Lynx Point LPC Controller (rev 05) 00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Lynx Point 6-port SATA Controller 1 [AHCI mode] (rev 05) 00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation Lynx Point SMBus Controller (rev 05) 01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: AMD/ATI [Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.] Cedar [Radeon HD 5000/6000/7350 Series] 01:00.1 Audio device: AMD/ATI [Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.] Cedar HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 5400/6300 Series] 02:00.0 SCSI storage controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. MV64460/64461/64462 System Controller, Revision B (rev 01) 04:00.0 Ethernet controller: D-Link System Inc DGE-528T Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (rev 06) 05:00.0 Ethernet controller: Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2200 Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 13) 06:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82572EI Gigabit Ethernet Controller (Copper) (rev 06) 07:00.0 USB controller: Renesas Technology Corp. uPD720202 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 02) 08:00.0 SATA controller: ASMedia Technology Inc. ASM1062 Serial ATA Controller (rev 01) This is the Graphics card I want to pass through: 01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: AMD/ATI [Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.] Cedar [Radeon HD 5000/6000/7350 Series] 01:00.1 Audio device: AMD/ATI [Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.] Cedar HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 5400/6300 Series] My syslinux.cfg looks like this:- default /syslinux/menu.c32 menu title Lime Technology prompt 0 timeout 50 label unRAID OS menu default kernel /bzimage append pcie_acs_override=downstream initrd=/bzroot label unRAID OS Safe Mode (no plugins) kernel /bzimage append initrd=/bzroot unraidsafemode label Memtest86+ kernel /memtest label Xen/unRAID OS kernel /syslinux/mboot.c32 append /xen --- /bzimage --- /bzroot label Xen/unRAID OS Safe Mode (no plugins) kernel /syslinux/mboot.c32 append /xen --- /bzimage --- /bzroot unraidsafemode My go file #!/bin/bash # Start the Management Utility /usr/local/sbin/emhttp & #bindpci /usr/local/sbin/vfio-bind 0000:01:00.0 0000:01:00.1 I tried looking at the different topics in this forum but they all seem specific to the user/hardware or between updates to Unraid and Virtual Machine manager the syntax seems to change. Thank in advance.
  4. Correct, you run the script on a MAC, when I first downloaded the script it would not run as I was on a Snow Leopard. When I upgraded to Yosemite it worked fine. I was stumped on this one for a few days. When the key revealed I could kick myself...... :-)
  5. I had a similar problem, I had to browse to the windows 8 directory and into the AMD64 folder and only then did it pick up the driver.
  6. I have installed the VM Manager Plugin on Unraid 6.0 Beta 12 I have successfully created a number of windows 8.1 and 10 preview Virtual machines. From VM Manager I can Stop/Start the VMs and edit the XMLs. However, when I do a full reboot of the unraid server and open up VM Manager after starting libvirt the VMS are not in the list. The VM's hard disks are located outside of the array on a drive shared by the SNAP plugin. This is the same drive that my Dockers are running from. Looking at the folder for the VM's I can see the Harddrive file as well as a single text file containing the autostart setting. Where are the XML files located? I am assuming VM Manager needs to see the XML files to list the VM's. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks for the help - I installed the virtMan plugin and after reboot the VM's were still listed.
  7. I did a default install and I can see that it has installed as the DB has the new schema. However when I go to the webpage I am asked for a user name and password. I have tried the default one in the XBMC forums which is xbox but that does not seem to work. Could anyone please tell me what it is, read through these instructions a few times, I must be blind because I cannot find it. Thanks Found it!!! <webserverpassword>xbmc</webserverpassword> <webserverport>8080</webserverport> <webserverusername>xbmc</webserverusername>
  8. The good news, my x16 port accepts x4 raid cards, I tested it out last night with a x4 adaptec card. So as soon as I get the funds I will get the supermicro.
  9. Mr Grumpie, I bought 3 of the 5in3 X-case drive cages you are looking at. I am currently running 5 HDD in a single cage. A mixture of WD green HDD's and some faster smaller drives. My aim was to make the UnRaid server as quiet as possible and I feel I have accomplished that, its barely audible, except when its rebuilding the parity disk, which I have done a few times as I replaced every drive in the array to prove to myself the system was working. I replace the stock fan in the cage with these http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/80mmfans/s-flex801000 They are incredibly quiet with the following specs 3.4.5 dB(A) / 1000 RPM / 14.3 CFM My parity drive hovers at about 37 degrees The hottest drive in there reaches about 45 degress when heavily active. They all drop to about 27 degrees when not in use before spin down If they have all spun down and I spin up the array, they come online at about 22 degrees That said , my case has two 140mm vertical extraction fans undervolted to 7volts and a 120 mm horizontal fan undervolted to 5volts. My dual core intel CPU has a passive heatsink. Its a new build and I have had it running for a week while monitoring temps etc... I will post pics of my rig and details soon. Thanks to UnRaid for great software and I feel I have done it justice with a great hardware build.
  10. I have gone through the Datasheet for the Q35 chipset on my motherboard. The x16 PCI express port is compliant to the 1.1 Specification Revision and therefore operates at a frequency of 2.5Gb/s on each lane supporting a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 40Gb/s in each direction. Raw bit-rate on the datapins of 2.5 Gb/s, resulting in the real bandwidth per pair of 250MB/s given the encoding used to transmit data accross the interface. The maximum theoretical realized bandwidth on the interface of 4GB/s in each direction simultaneously, for an aggregate of 8GB/s when x16. The bit that follows in blue is my deductions based on my understanding of what was said before. So if I ran a x4 PCIe card in the slot it would run 10 Gb/s in each direction theoretically.However the maximum realized bandwidth on the interface would then be 1GB/s in each direction simultaneously, giving an agregate of 2GB/s. Each lane would still support 250MB/s but I would only have 4 in total. So the optimum would be 4 x SATA II Hard disks @ 300MB/s each. If I ran 8 @300MB/s it would be more than the bandwidth allows. As I rarely see my transfers to UnRaid pass the 55MB/s rate, I would assume 8 drives on a 4x controller is unlikely to cause a bottleneck Appologies if I am covering old ground, its just that I am trying to understand it completely and prevent myself from sounding stupid in these forums in the future. I suppose the killer question is does the x16 slot support anything other than a graphics card . I guess the only way I find out is if I stick one in there.
  11. Thank you very much for the help, I will try and track them down in the UK.
  12. First post, hope I make sense, I have spent alot of time trying to find the answer on the forum and have finally resort to asking the question. Thanks in advance. All the forum posts I have read have pointed me towards using PCI-E ahead of the cheaper PCI SATA controllers for adding more SATA ports to my UnRaid Server. The motherboard I have - ASUS P5e-VM DO - has six sata ports and 1 x PCIe x16 port and 1 x PCIe x1 port. I also have 3x X-Case 5in3 Drive storage kits with 5 Sata connectors on the back each making the machine host 15 Disks in total. I have been trying to find the most cost effective way to move past the 6 SATA ports and to at least 15 ports. Understanding all I have read I really need to find a card able to control the hard drives I add and it does not require RAID ability as that is not used by unRAID. The ideal solution would be a 20port SATA controller without RAID on a x16 PCIe card or a motherboard supporting supporting 20 harddrives using SAS cables and as these don't seem to exist I have looked into the following. I have limited options with PCIe ports on my motherboard so I need to buy right the first time and I have been looking at the following cards on ebay:- STLab PCIex4 with 4x internal SATA connectors @ £62http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110581200352&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT •Bus Interface: PCI-Express x 4 •Marvell 88SX7042 chipset •Compliant with PCI Express Base Specification 1.0a •Compliant with Serial ATA 1.0 specification with support for full complement of SATA II optional features •Supports SATA II Native Command Queuing (NCQ) •Provides four independent channels to support up to four Serial ATA drives •Supports SATA up to 300MB/Sec •4 x internal SATA connectors •2 x external eSATA connectors PCIex1 with 4x internal SATA connectors @£42 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280504574483&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT •Provides 4 x SATA port (internal) for SATA Hard Disk •1-Lane (x1) PCI-Express with transfer rate 2.5 Gb/s Full Duplex channel •Compliant with PCI Express Specification Revision 1.0a •Compliant with Serial ATA II Specification •Compliant with Gen2i, Gen2m SATA II Electrical Specification Revision 1.0 •Data transfer rate up to 3.0Gb/s •Backward compatible to SATA 1.0 Specification •Support Native Command Queue (NCQ), FIS Based Switching with Port Multiplier •Support 4-independent SATA channels •All external ports are compatible to eSATA Specification Leaf - Silicon Image PCIex1 with 4x internal SATA connectors @ £60 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290454191057&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT •4 Port Sata II 300MB/s •PCI Express x1, works also in PCI Express x4 and x8 Slots •supports 4 internal HDD, as WD Green Caviar 4x2TB or seagate ST31500341AS 4x1.5TB or 4 external HDD using LC4CEB eSATA Adapter •with own Bios (works independent from OS) •supports Portmultiplier for up to 20 HDD My questions are as follows:- 1. Assuming compatibility with UnRaid, does it matter if the PCIe cards are x4 or x1 as it does not seem reduce the amount of independant channels per drive? 2. If I were to choose to use a port multiplier to reach the 15 drive enclosure limit or the 20 drive license limit, I assume it then splits the channel bandwidth accross the multiplied ports and as the second card has a data transfer rate of 3.0Gb/s running on a x1 PCIe port @ 2.5Gb/s is that 2.5Gb/s divided by the amount of ports multiplied to? 3. Or is it that with SATA II @ 300MB/s you could effectively multiply a port by the amount bandwidth you have on the lane so a 2.5Gb/s PCIe lane can multiply to 8.3 SATA II ports and therfore a PCIe x1 port could support 8 x SATA II drives through port multiplication I have probably assumed alot of of things incorrectly - I am really trying to find out how, PCIe multiplication map to lanes, how lanes map to ports, how port multiplication impacts port bandwidths. Thanks for any help.