Hi Alaxa
Right … That’s a lot of varied information and questions
Let’s sort some of this out …
Linux -
Sounds like you’ve followed too many guides all with differing information and got yourself in a mess. Let me try and help with that … I’ll send you a PM with a URL to download a really basic text file with step by step (copy and paste) instructions of how I do it on my Linux 6.x VMs, for 7 you may need to alter a couple of links. I’ve tried to post the steps on here, but there’s something in the Forums Security that stops me from doing so. No idea what it is, I’ll raise it with the Site Admins when I get time as it’s not a script, so there shouldn’t be any issues, but the text is restricted for some reason.
Once you receive my steps, for simplicity, I’d trash what CentOS VMs you currently have and start with a clean CentOS install as it doesn’t take long. As said, it’s all step by step (no scripts, so you’re in full control of what’s happening and it’s really obvious and basic anyway) and you can simply copy / paste the commands where required. I’m going to assume you have some basic Linux skills (that’s all I have) so you will understand what to do when I send it.
Once you’ve completed the install, you’ll be able to connect to the Linux VM using standard Windows RDP (MSTSC). If you want to use any other protocol (HDX, Blast etc etc), then you’ll have to install the appropriate client / agents from that vendor.
Your questions:
Q - the use linux guest with this grid card(s) is meant only for Horizon/Citrix environment? I though we could connect with standard protocol too
A - You can use RDP as your connection protocol, but it won’t be anywhere near as good as HDX, Blast or others (there’s a reason people use XenDesktop / Horizon for graphics based virtualization …)
Q - using vSGA instead of vGPU/vDGA would benefit of the M10 features?
A - No. Using vGPU will give you the maximum amount of features and vGPU Profile choice. vDGA (Passthrough) will "pass through" the GPU to the OS. This is a 1-1 mapping. You will still need to use the NVIDIA drivers, not VMware drivers. vSGA is the least performing one you can use (bit of a waste of time (and M10) to be honest).
Q - what if I use a linux host with the GRID drivers installed?
A - I don’t understand the question. This is what you’re already trying to do? Regardless, the steps in my text document will install the GRID software onto your Linux VM.
Q - we forget to try but would the Win2016+hyperV permit the passthrough to a linux guest too (and consequently to be able to use the GPU features of the M10 from inside linux) ? That could be the winning choice if we cannot afford the vmware licensing costs.
A - If you’re struggling with VMware licensing, why not use Citrix XenServer? XenServer is licensed per socket and you don’t need a vCenter equivalent, so it’s much cheaper than the VMware alternative. Or, you can purchase XenDesktop licenses, and by doing so, you get XenServer licenses included (including the ability to run vGPU): NVIDIA vGPU for XenServer is premium Citrix-licensed feature | NVIDIA That way, you also get to use one of the best connection protocols available (rather than RDP) as well as get a cheaper (but still very good) hypervisor included in the price. However, for a single server, a XenDesktop install would be huge overkill.
That said, if you’re only using vDGA or vSGA then you don’t need to use VMware Enterprise Plus licensing or even vCenter as you can Passthrough PCIe without either. You only need Enterprise Plus licensing if you’re using vGPU, which currently, you aren’t: NVIDIA vGPU for vSPhere/ESXi is a premium VMware-licensed feature | NVIDIA
Personally, I would not use Hyper-V. As said, most people use Citrix (XenServer) or VMware (ESXi). If you have issues, there will be a lot more support available for them.
Hope that helps point you in the right direction
Regards
Ben