KVM/libvirt-friendly DVB-C tuner? [SOLVED / AVOIDED]

[Sigg3.net]

Hi all!

I recently discovered that my Technisat CableStar HD2 DVB-C PCI tuner, which has some GNU/Linux support, does not offer the required FLReset capability that is needed for libvirt to passthrough the device to a virtual guest (KVM/libvirt on OpenSUSE 12). I am currently in contact with TechniSat to see if they have any firmware updates. In the meantime, I'm looking for other options. Maybe you can help?

If you are using a DVB-C tuner, you can find this information by running:
# sudo lspci -vv
in terminal, locate the right device and check out the DevCap features. A FLReset- is a nogo, and FLReset+ is what I need.

If anyone is using a DVB-C tuner, could you run this check for me, so that I don't have to buy more stuff I can't use:)

I will eventually move LMCE over to a dedicated, more eco-friendly machine, where the card will work natively, but at the time being I want to test it out virtually. I prefer PCI cards, but PCIe and USB cards with Linux support is OK.

Thanks guys!

[JaseP]

I'm interested in using KVM at some point in the (far) future. What processor are you using and what's the status of it's vt-d/vt-x support (or AMD equivalent)?

[hari]

I'm interested in using KVM at some point in the (far) future. What processor are you using and what's the status of it's vt-d/vt-x support (or AMD equivalent)?

your question is not relevant if you're not going to buy some archaic cpu :-p

[JaseP]

your question is not relevant if you're not going to buy some archaic cpu :-p

Actually, I read that there are some cards (video capture cards in particular) that fail IO virtualization, even with a modern vt-d/vt-x capable processor, like one of the better i7s. I was just curious as to what he was running to know what level of hardware IO it supported under KVM.

I am soon going to be purchasing a couple of lab machines that will do double duty as high end MDs when I'm done with them, so I wanted to know if his were vt-x or vt-d capable. I'll likely be running Scientific Linux as the normal host OS, and have the MD's boot as virtual net-booted clients. That way, I'd always have the lab machine capabilities, if/when needed again in the future, on the fly, and even available while the MDs are being used,... without disturbing the family's use of the system.

[Sigg3.net]

It's a AMD Phenom X6 black edition.

This has nothing to do with the CPU (as hari suggested), since it virtualizes OTHER cards well. The card itself must be supported as pass-through enabled by checking for the FLReset+ flag. If it isn't, then it's a driver/KVM software problem.
You should be able to ask the reseller or manufacturer for this info.

What is a virtual net-booted client? Do you mean regular netboot or netboot on a virtual network?

Either way, my initial post is MOOT as I came across some cash just lying there waiting to be used on new hardware:)
Whenever I have time I will setup my Lmce as native.