A NAS can do more than serve files when it also runs virtual machines (VMs), but “turning a NAS into a hypervisor” can describe two different setups. You can run VMs inside NAS software that includes virtualization, or install a separate hypervisor and let it use NAS storage. Those designs assign ownership of the hardware differently—and the distinction matters most when the storage operating system itself is virtualized.
First, decide which system owns the hardware
In one arrangement, the NAS operating system runs on the machine and provides VM features. TrueNAS, for example, can create VMs and virtual disks backed by ZFS zvols. The NAS remains the host, and its VM feature allocates resources to guest systems.
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In the other arrangement, a dedicated hypervisor runs directly on the hardware and manages VMs. Proxmox VE is one example; it can use local, shared, and NAS storage. In this design, the hypervisor owns the machine, while a NAS may be a separate storage system or a guest VM.
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|---|---|---|
| Who owns the machine? | The NAS operating system. | The hypervisor, such as Proxmox VE. |
| Where can VM disks live? | For TrueNAS, a VM disk can be backed by a zvol. | On storage available to the hypervisor, including local, shared, or NAS storage. |
| How does a guest reach local NAS storage? | TrueNAS documentation says to create a network bridge when the VM needs local NAS storage. | Networking and storage access depend on how the hypervisor and NAS are connected and configured. |
| What is the main design concern? | VM allocations reduce resources available to the NAS host; virtualizing the NAS storage OS requires special care. | Keep the hypervisor, storage, and guest roles clear, and ensure the storage remains available when guests need it. |
These are not interchangeable ways of describing the same installation. Choose based on which operating system should control the disks and what should remain available if a host or guest fails.
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What VM workloads change on a NAS
Each VM reserves host resources while it runs. CPU time, RAM, disk capacity, and network bandwidth used by guests are not freely available to file services or other workloads. TrueNAS documentation specifically notes that VM RAM and zvol resources are unavailable to the host or other VMs while in use. [TrueNAS VM documentation]
- CPU: The host and guests share processing capacity. A VM with a CPU-heavy workload can compete with file services.
- Memory: Leave RAM for the NAS operating system, caching, and other services instead of assigning nearly all of it to guests.
- Storage: VM disks consume capacity and benefit from fast, reliable storage. Proxmox recommends fast storage; the right choice depends on the workload and the storage design.
- Networking: Guests that need to communicate with the NAS or other devices require a suitable network connection. For TrueNAS VMs accessing local NAS storage, that means a bridge.
For scale, Proxmox’s current hardware guidance calls for 2 GB of RAM for the host operating system and services, plus memory for guests. It estimates approximately 1 GB per TB of used storage as additional memory for ZFS or Ceph. These are Proxmox platform figures, not universal sizing rules for every NAS or hypervisor. [Proxmox VE hardware requirements]
TrueNAS’s current hardware guide recommends at least 8 GB RAM for basic TrueNAS operations with up to eight drives, with additional memory for more drives, VMs, and other workloads. That guidance covers basic TrueNAS use, not the total memory a VM host needs. [TrueNAS hardware guide]
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Plan storage and networking around the guest
Choose where the VM disk lives
A VM needs storage for its virtual disk as well as any data it writes. In TrueNAS, VM disks can use zvols. In a dedicated hypervisor arrangement, the hypervisor can use storage it can access, including NAS storage. Consider performance and resilience together: fast VM storage can help guest responsiveness, while redundant storage can reduce the impact of an individual drive failure. Neither choice replaces a separate backup.
If using ZFS with Proxmox, do not pair it with a hardware RAID controller: Proxmox’s requirements guidance says hardware RAID controllers are incompatible with ZFS and Ceph. [Proxmox VE hardware requirements]
Bridge guest networking when required
For a TrueNAS VM that needs access to local NAS storage, the TrueNAS documentation requires a network bridge so the guest can communicate with that storage. A bridge is a configuration step, not a substitute for planning IP addresses, firewall rules, or network capacity. Check the instructions for the TrueNAS release installed on the system: the TrueNAS 25.04 documentation is the stable-version reference for these VM details, while the 27 VM page is explicitly early-release documentation. [TrueNAS VM documentation] [TrueNAS 25.04 VM documentation]
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Proxmox supports 10 Gbit and faster networking, but faster links are useful only when the guest workload, storage, and rest of the network can take advantage of them. [Proxmox VE hardware requirements]
Check virtualization and passthrough support before buying hardware
Proxmox’s hardware guidance calls for a 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU with Intel VT or AMD-V. PCIe passthrough additionally requires platform support such as Intel VT-d or AMD-Vi, including support from the motherboard. Check the processor and board specifications for the exact features; a CPU’s ability to run VMs does not by itself prove that PCIe devices can be passed through. [Proxmox VE hardware requirements]
Passthrough may be relevant when a guest needs direct access to a device such as a storage controller. TrueNAS advises passing through physical disks or the whole controller when virtualizing TrueNAS for a proof of concept. A host bus adapter (HBA) may suit a particular build, but it is not a universal requirement: verify controller mode, platform compatibility, and disk access before selecting hardware. [TrueNAS hardware guide]
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- Confirm CPU and motherboard support for the required virtualization and IOMMU features.
- Check that the storage controller can expose disks to the intended host or guest without an incompatible RAID layer.
- Verify that the host will retain access to any devices it still needs after passthrough.
- Confirm backup and recovery procedures before changing which system controls storage devices.
ECC memory can provide an additional defense against memory errors, but support depends on the CPU and motherboard. TrueNAS notes that systems can operate without ECC, so treat it as a compatibility and integrity consideration rather than a universal prerequisite. [TrueNAS hardware guide]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not treat a virtualized TrueNAS storage OS as a safe production pool
The highest-risk arrangement is running TrueNAS itself as a VM and relying on virtual disks for a production or critical-data pool. TrueNAS’s hardware guide says that configuration is not supported for regular deployment and might result in data corruption. It describes virtual disks for a proof of concept as acceptable only for ad hoc use; passing through physical disks or the entire controller is the guidance for that scenario, not a guarantee that the setup becomes supported for critical data. [TrueNAS hardware guide]
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Size the machine for the host before assigning VM resources
Start with the NAS or hypervisor’s own needs, then allocate only the remaining CPU, memory, storage, and network capacity to guests. Do not use an evaluation minimum as a working configuration: Proxmox lists 1 GB RAM, a hard drive, and one NIC only as a minimum for testing, not as production sizing. [Proxmox VE hardware requirements]
- Write down the host workload. Count drives, estimate used storage, identify filesystem requirements, and decide which file services must stay responsive while VMs run.
- List each guest’s needs. Estimate memory, CPU, disk capacity, and network use for the workloads you intend to run.
- Check the platform guidance. Apply the requirements for the selected NAS or hypervisor, then add capacity for guests and expected growth rather than treating the host figure as a total.
- Verify device and network access. Confirm passthrough support where needed and configure bridges or other networking required for storage access.
- Test recovery before relying on the setup. Confirm that backups can be restored and that storage remains manageable after a guest, host, or network interruption.
There is no one ideal architecture for every NAS. Built-in NAS virtualization keeps the storage OS in charge of the machine; a dedicated hypervisor gives the virtualization layer that role and can consume NAS storage. The right design is the one that preserves enough resources for file services and keeps the storage path supportable for the importance of the data.
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