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Desktop Capabilities Expanded Through Virtualization: Now Slaying Demons in the Digital Realm is Possible

Classic DOOM is notoriously versatile - nearly any computer produced during the past two decades, ranging from printers, heart monitors, cars, and routers, can efficiently run this iconic game.

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Almost any modern-day computer, be it in home appliances such as printers, medical equipment like...
Almost any modern-day computer, be it in home appliances such as printers, medical equipment like heart monitors, cars, or routers, can almost certainly run the iconic game, DOOM.

Desktop Capabilities Expanded Through Virtualization: Now Slaying Demons in the Digital Realm is Possible

Ready to turn your aging gaming rig into a multifunction powerhouse? We're about to show you how to juice every drop of power out of your hardware by using it as both a top-notch network router and a high-performance gaming machine, all thanks to Proxmox.

Here's what we'll be covering:

  1. Getting started with Proxmox - Install Proxmox on your old gaming rig, giving you the ability to create virtual machines (VMs) and containers.
  2. Setting up your network router - Transform your Proxmox box into a powerful router, providing smoother LAN gaming experiences.
  3. Maximizing gaming performance - Run modern titles on a VM while keeping your desktop's core resources reserved for other tasks.
  4. Mastering resource allocation - Ensure optimal performance and efficiency on both your router and gaming VM by dynamically managing resources.
  5. Securing your setup - Keep your new system secure by implementing best practices, including regular backups and maintaining the latest software updates.

Without further ado, let's dive in!

1. Getting started with Proxmox

First, you'll need to install Proxmox on your machine.

  1. Grab the latest version of the Proxmox VE ISO from the Proxmox website.
  2. Create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus.
  3. Boot your machine from the USB drive and follow the installation wizard. Make sure to set up your network interfaces, including a static IP for the management interface.

Now that Proxmox is installed, you're ready to start using it as both a router and a gaming powerhouse!

2. Setting up your network router

To create a networking setup that allows both the router and gaming VM to coexist harmoniously, follow these steps:

  1. Create a network bridge - In Proxmox, create a new networking bridge for your router. This bridge will allow you to connect multiple VMs to the network and act as a router.
  2. Configure network settings - Set up forwarding and NAT rules to properly route traffic between your gaming VMs and the outside world. You can use tools like or Proxmox's built-in web interface to manage this.
  3. Install a router OS (optional) - If you want advanced routing features, consider installing a router OS like OpenWRT or pfSense in a VM.

With this setup, you'll have a dynamic, high-performance router right at your fingertips.

3. Maximizing gaming performance

  1. Create a gaming VM - Allocate CPU, RAM, and GPU resources for this VM to ensure it has the horsepower needed to run modern games smoothly.
  2. Pass through the GPU - Utilize GPU passthrough to give your gaming VM direct access to the graphics card, providing an extra boost in performance.
  3. Optimize the gaming OS - Ensure your gaming VM's operating system is configured to use the latest drivers and game optimization techniques for improved performance.

Now you're ready to demolish demons in DOOM Eternal while keeping your router humming along smoothly!

4. Mastering resource allocation

  1. Monitor resource usage - Use Proxmox's built-in monitoring tools to track CPU, RAM, and disk usage across your VMs and containers.
  2. Adjust resource allocation - Dynamically adjust resource allocations based on the current usage patterns of your router and gaming VM to maintain optimal efficiencies.
  3. Implement Quality of Service (QoS) - Apply QoS policies to prioritize network traffic for critical applications like gaming.

By keeping a close eye on resource usage and making smart adjustments, you'll ensure that both your router and gaming setup run smoothly.

5. Securing your setup

  1. Regular backups - Schedule regular backups of your VMs and important data.
  2. Update software - Keep Proxmox VE and all VMs up to date with the latest security patches to ensure you're protected against potential threats.
  3. Secure network - Implement appropriate firewall rules, use network segmentation, and enforce strong password policies to protect your setup from unauthorized access.

By following these steps, you'll have a secure, high-performance network setup that's ready to conquer the gaming world! So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try!

References:

  1. Proxmox: Getting Started
  2. Proxmox: Network Bridging
  3. Proxmox: Create a VM
  4. Proxmox: Advanced Networking
  5. Netgate pfSense Alternative: OpenWRT
  6. OpenWRT Networking Guide
  7. Optimizing Gaming Performance on Linux
  8. To maximize your gaming experience with Linux, consider pairing your Proxmox setup with a COMMON Linux distribution, offering you the ability to run gaming-optimized Linux distributions directly on a virtual machine.
  9. Expand the capabilities of your technology-enhanced household by setting up your Proxmox-powered router to manage gadgets connected to your network, ensuring seamless connectivity for all your smart home devices.

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