Configure Proxmox GPU Passthrough (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Summary

This tutorial guides users through setting up GPU pass-through on a Proxmox node, enhancing virtual machine (VM) performance with dedicated graphics processing. It covers accessing the command line interface, modifying configuration files, updating GRUB, and retrieving PCI addresses for GPU and audio. The process also includes configuring the VM with remote desktop access, adding a PCI device, and installing GPU drivers for optimal performance. The tutorial ensures users can remotely access and utilize their VM's Windows environment with GPU capabilities.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Navigate to your Proxmox node using a web browser and access the command line interface via the shell option.
• 📝 Open a text editor to modify the grub file, adding new lines and commenting out the original for reference.
• 🛠️ Execute the command to update grub and wait for the process to complete successfully, indicated by the word 'done'.
• ✏️ Add multiple lines to the modules file, ensuring to navigate to the end of the file after all comment lines.
• 📄 Create a new file and insert the necessary lines as described, saving changes after each insertion.
• 🚫 Open the text editor to add lines to the Blacklist file, specifying the new lines at the beginning of the file.
• 🔍 Retrieve the PCI address for your GPU and audio by executing command lines and noting the vendor number.
• 🔧 Modify the configuration file with the new line using your GPU and audio vendor number.
• 🔄 Update everything and reboot the Proxmox server to activate all new configurations.
• 🖥️ Activate the desktop remote feature in Windows VM for access when GPU pass-through is available, noting the IP address for future reference.
• 💻 Use the remote desktop application to create a connection to your VM using its IP address and credentials.
• 📡 Validate GPU availability in Windows by checking 'Display Adapters' in Device Manager and install the latest drivers for optimal performance.
• 📊 Access the GPU performance monitor to ensure everything is functioning correctly after driver installation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the tutorial?

The tutorial guides users through the step-by-step configuration process for GPU pass through on a Proxmox node.

Which tool is used to access the command line interface on a Proxmox node?

The shell option is used to access the command line interface on a Proxmox node.

What is the first step in configuring the grub file for GPU pass through?

The first step is to open a preferred text editor to modify the grub file, locate the line to be replaced, and consider commenting out the original line for reference before adding the new line as provided.

What command is executed to update grub after modifying the grub file?

The specific command to update grub is not provided in the script, but it is implied that a standard grub update command is executed.

How can you ensure that the grub update process was successful?

Upon successful completion of the grub update process, the word 'done' will appear.

What is the purpose of adding lines to the modules file?

Adding lines to the modules file is part of the configuration process to enable certain modules necessary for GPU pass through.

What is the significance of creating a new file during the configuration process?

Creating a new file is part of the setup where specific lines are inserted to define configurations that will be used for the GPU pass through.

Why is it necessary to retrieve the PCI address for the GPU and audio?

Retrieving the PCI address is necessary to correctly configure the system to recognize and utilize the specific GPU and audio hardware for pass through.

What is the final step in the Proxmox node configuration process?

The final step in the Proxmox node configuration is updating everything and then rebooting the Proxmox server to activate all new configurations.

How do you enable the remote desktop feature on a Windows VM?

To enable the remote desktop feature on a Windows VM, go to Windows settings, select 'System', then navigate to 'Remote Desktop', activate the option, and confirm.

What is required to access a Windows VM after GPU pass through configuration?

After GPU pass through configuration, the console access is no longer possible, and remote desktop must be used to access the Windows VM.

How can you verify if the GPU is available in Windows after pass through?

You can verify if the GPU is available in Windows by opening the Device Manager and checking for the GPU under 'Display Adapters' without any errors.

What is the recommended way to install the GPU driver after pass through configuration?

The recommended way is to download the latest Windows drivers for the GPU, place them on the desktop, and execute the installation from there.

How can you confirm that the GPU is functioning successfully after driver installation?

After driver installation and a system restart, you can access the GPU performance monitor to validate that everything is functioning as expected.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 GPU Pass Through Configuration Tutorial

This tutorial walks you through the steps of setting up GPU pass through on a Proxmox node. It starts with accessing the command line interface through the Proxmox web interface and modifying the grub file for configuration. The process includes updating grub, adding lines to the modules file, creating a new file with specific configurations, and modifying the blacklist file. It also details retrieving the PCI address for the GPU and audio, updating the configuration file with the vendor number, and rebooting the Proxmox server to apply changes. The tutorial then moves on to configuring the VM by enabling remote desktop access, noting down the IP address, and setting up the hardware to include the PCI device for GPU pass through. It concludes with accessing the VM using remote desktop and ensuring that console access is no longer possible once GPU pass through is active.

05:08

🖥️ Validating and Installing GPU Drivers on Windows VM

After configuring GPU pass through on the Proxmox node, this section focuses on the Windows VM setup. It involves validating the GPU's presence in Windows without errors and proceeding to install the latest GPU drivers. The tutorial provides guidance on downloading the drivers and executing the installation, which will prompt a VM restart. Upon accessing the VM again through remote desktop, the tutorial suggests using a GPU performance monitor to ensure everything is functioning as expected. This completes the GPU pass through installation process for a Windows VM, allowing for enhanced performance and access to the GPU within the virtual environment.

Keywords

💡GPU Pass Through

GPU Pass Through is a technology that allows a virtual machine (VM) to access a physical GPU directly. In the video's context, it's the main process being explained, which involves configuring a Proxmox node to allow a VM to use a GPU for improved graphics performance. The script details the step-by-step process of enabling this feature, making it a central theme of the tutorial.

💡Proxmox

Proxmox is an open-source server virtualization environment. In the script, it is the platform on which the GPU pass through configuration is being performed. The video guides users through accessing the command line interface of a Proxmox node, which is essential for modifying system settings related to the GPU pass through.

💡Command Line Interface (CLI)

The Command Line Interface is a text-based interface used to interact with computers and software. In the tutorial, the CLI is accessed via the Proxmox node's shell option to execute commands necessary for configuring the GPU pass through, such as updating the grub file and retrieving the PCI address of the GPU.

💡GRUB

GRUB stands for Grand Unified Bootloader and is a program that loads the Linux operating system. In the script, modifying the GRUB file is one of the steps to enable GPU pass through by adding specific kernel parameters. This is a critical step as it ensures the new configurations are loaded during system boot.

💡PCI Address

A PCI address is a unique identifier for hardware devices connected to a computer via the PCI bus. The script instructs users to retrieve the PCI address of their GPU, which is necessary for configuring the GPU pass through correctly. This address is used to specify which physical device the VM should have access to.

💡VGA Compatible Controller

The VGA Compatible Controller is a device category in the PCI subsystem that includes graphics processing units. In the script, users are instructed to locate this entry to identify their GPU model and ensure the correct device is being targeted for the pass through configuration.

💡Blacklist File

The Blacklist file is a configuration file used in Linux systems to prevent certain modules from being loaded during boot. In the context of the video, the Blacklist file is modified to ensure that no conflicting drivers are loaded, which could interfere with the GPU pass through functionality.

💡VM Configuration

VM Configuration refers to the settings and resources allocated to a virtual machine. The script outlines the steps to apply specific configurations to a VM in Proxmox, such as enabling the remote desktop feature and assigning a PCI device, which are crucial for accessing the VM and setting up GPU pass through.

💡Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop is a feature that allows users to access and control a computer remotely. In the script, enabling the remote desktop feature on a Windows VM is necessary to access the VM after GPU pass through is configured, as the console access is no longer available.

💡GPU Driver

A GPU Driver is a software component that allows the operating system to communicate with the GPU hardware. The script mentions installing the latest GPU drivers for optimal performance after the GPU pass through has been set up. This is an essential step to ensure the GPU functions correctly within the VM.

💡Performance Monitor

A Performance Monitor is a tool used to measure and display the performance of a system's hardware and software. In the script, it is suggested to use a GPU performance monitor to validate that the GPU pass through is functioning successfully, indicating that the GPU is being utilized as expected within the VM.

Highlights

Introduction to GPU pass-through configuration tutorial.

Using a web browser to navigate to the Proxmox node.

Accessing the command line interface via the shell option.

Modifying the grub file in a text editor.

Commenting out the original line and adding a new one for GPU pass-through.

Updating the grub configuration to apply changes.

Adding multiple lines to the modules file for configuration.

Creating a new file with specific lines for GPU pass-through setup.

Modifying the Blacklist file to include necessary lines for GPU.

Retrieving the PCI address for the GPU and audio.

Updating the file configuration with the GPU and audio vendor number.

Rebooting the Proxmox server to activate new configurations.

Activating the desktop remote feature for GPU pass-through.

Taking note of the IP address assigned to the VM for future reference.

Adding a PCI device to the VM for GPU pass-through.

Accessing Windows from the VM using remote desktop.

Validating GPU availability in Windows and installing the latest drivers.

Completing the GPU pass-through installation for a Windows VM.

Transcripts

welcome to GPU pass through

configuration tutorial we will guide you

through the configuration process step

by

step using your preferred web browser

navigate to your proxmox node once there

locate and click on the shell option to

access the command line interface Step

One open your preferred Text Editor to

modify the grub file locate the line

that needs to be replaced consider

commenting out the original line for

reference then add the new line As Prov

provided in the description once done

save the changes and exit the text

editor step two execute the command to

update grub and wait for the process to

complete successfully upon successful

completion you will see the word

done step three open your text editor to

add multiple lines to the module's file

navigate to the end of the file after

all the comment lines then insert all

the new lines as provided in the

description

once you have completed the insertion

save the changes and exit the text

editor step for open your text editor to

create a new file at the beginning of

the file insert the new line As provided

in the description once you have

completed the insertion save the changes

and exit the text

editor once again open the newly created

file in your text editor and insert the

line provided in the

description step five open your text

editor to add multiple lines to The

Blacklist file at the beginning of the

file insert all the new lines as

provided in the description once you

have completed the insertion save the

changes and exit the text

editor step six execute the command line

to retrieve the PCI address for your GPU

and audio navigate and locate the VGA

compatible controller entry ensuring it

specifies your GPU model take note of

the PCI address listed at the beginning

of this

line execute the command line by

specifying the PCI address that you

retrieved

previously take note of the vendor

number for your GPU and

audio step six open your text editor to

modify the file configuration file at

the beginning of the file insert the new

line As provided in the description you

need to update the line using your GPU

and audio vendor number once you have

completed the insertion save the changes

and exit the text

editor step seven the last step consists

of updating everything and then

rebooting your proxmox server to

activate all new

configurations

now that all the proxmox node

configuration is completed we need to

apply some configurations to the VM and

windows firstly we can open your windows

VM to activate the desktop remote

feature enabling access to it when GPU

pass through is available additionally

it's essential to take note of the IP

address assigned to this VM for future

reference we will activate the remote

desktop going in window settings select

the menu system and then navigate by

clicking on the option remote desktop

activate the option and confirm now go

back to the network and internet menu

select the option ethernet scroll down

the screen to take note of the IP

address you can now shut down

Windows select your VM and navigate to

the hardware menu click on the add

button and choose PCI device on the next

screen select your GPU PCI ensure to

check all options such as all functions

primary GPU and PCI Express from the

advanced

options now you're ready to start your

VM however please note that once GPU

pass through is active on your VM using

the console is no longer possible

instead you will need to utilize remote

desktop to access Windows from your

VM

open the remote desktop application and

click the add PC button to create a

connection to your VM in the PC name box

specify your vm's IP address optionally

you can assign a friendly name such as

homelab VM and then click on

add doubleclick on the newly added PC

and enter your credentials you will now

have access to your vm's windows and

environment now that you are able to

access your windows VM we can validate

if the GPU is available in Windows and

then install the latest driver for

better performance open the device

manager and verify that your GPU is

available without any errors under

display adapters now that validation is

completed and your GPU is successfully

installed you can proceed to install the

GPU driver I have already downloaded the

latest Windows drivers for my GPU and

placed them on the desktop you are now

ready to execute the

installation when the driver's

installation is suis full your VM will

restart you can go back to remote

desktop and access UVM again you can now

access the GPU performance monitor to

validate that everything is functioning

successfully this completes the entire

GPU pass through installation for a

Windows

VM