PCI passthrough guide

[anjandev]

I setup PCI passthrough on voidlinux by using various r/voidlinux reddit posts. I would like to formally document the process.

• [X] Installing required packages
• [X] Document isolating video card for pci passthrough (dracut and grub)
• [X] Loading amd/intel iommu
• [X] Document configuring virt-manager

Extra:

• [X] Configuring scream for painless audio

@HadetTheUndying can maybe review the guide.

https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages/pull/17225 must be merged before I can begin this guide.

The guide would only feature void specific issues when configuring PCI passthrough and link to archwiki for anything that's more general.

Is this guide appropriate for the handbook?

[HadetTheUndying]

Yep I'll take a look in the morning.

EDIT: I misunderstood. Yes i can help with and review this guide. I can also add in the proper options for rEFInd too.

[anjandev]

@bobertlo is this appropriate for the handbook?

[bobertlo]

@anjandev I think this is an appropriate topic for the handbook personally. I would like to keep the content concise and specific to void. I don't have time to peruse the PR but it looks like things are being reviewed in the right direction.

[HadetTheUndying]

The big thing i can think of is working on figuring out why LookingGlass isn't properly building on Void right now, since otherwise this will require a KVM Switch or separate, keyboard, mouse and monitor. I could working packaging LookingGlass this weekend if anyone can confirm they can get it to build.

Other than that it looks like the review is going well. We're also still waiting on qemu to be updated to support ovmf https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages/pull/17225

[Animeshz]

I believe someone said that all the files required for the GPU/PCI passthrough is available in the qemu package itself https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages/pull/29074#issuecomment-1009308697, @anjandev can you verify and finish the guide documenting the way GPU passthrough has to be set up?

[anjandev]

I believe someone said that all the files required for the GPU/PCI passthrough is available in the qemu package itself void-linux/void-packages#29074 (comment), @anjandev can you verify and finish the guide documenting the way GPU passthrough has to be set up?

I dont use void anymore so I will not be able to verify and finish this guide.

[HadetTheUndying]

The only thing not included with the packages is the hooks that you would need to hand off the GPU and shut down the display server. I can take a look at this PR again next week and probably get it in a state that's ready to be merged if anyone is actually willing to merge it. The problem is that there's no way to do this without users modifying some files and it creates a support burden if we do add it to the Handbook and someone can't figure out how to do it with the provided information. I would also be willing to write an external guide instead. Because there are little tricks and hacks needed for certain GPU models as well and I'm only able to test a few.

[Vaelatern]

I have a setup that uses PCI passthrough. I'm willing to re-install that system and retry this. @HadetTheUndying ping me as you like, especially on IRC, to get this done.

[Vaelatern]

@junkminerman I've not attempted UEFI on qemu yet.