Bug 1596289 - [Docs][VMM] Clarify vGPU support in "Installing a vGPU on a Virtual Machine"
Summary: [Docs][VMM] Clarify vGPU support in "Installing a vGPU on a Virtual Machine"
Keywords:
Status: CLOSED NOTABUG
Alias: None
Product: Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager
Classification: Red Hat
Component: Documentation
Version: 4.2.0
Hardware: Unspecified
OS: Unspecified
medium
high
Target Milestone: ovirt-4.2.7
: ---
Assignee: Steve Goodman
QA Contact: rhev-docs@redhat.com
URL:
Whiteboard: docs-accepted
Depends On:
Blocks:
TreeView+ depends on / blocked
 
Reported: 2018-06-28 14:21 UTC by Sergio Lopez
Modified: 2021-09-09 14:51 UTC (History)
7 users (show)

Fixed In Version:
Doc Type: If docs needed, set a value
Doc Text:
Clone Of:
Environment:
Last Closed: 2018-10-31 04:29:46 UTC
oVirt Team: Virt
Target Upstream Version:
Embargoed:
lsvaty: testing_plan_complete-


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System ID Private Priority Status Summary Last Updated
Red Hat Issue Tracker RHV-43541 0 None None None 2021-09-09 14:51:20 UTC

Description Sergio Lopez 2018-06-28 14:21:23 UTC
Description of problem:

The first paragraph of "Installing a vGPU on a Virtual Machine" (https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_virtualization/4.2/html-single/virtual_machine_management_guide/#Installing_a_vGPU_on_a_Virtual_Machine) reads as this:

"""
You can use a host with a compatible graphics processing unit (GPU) to run virtual machines with virtual GPUs (vGPUs). A virtual machine with a vGPU is better suited for graphics-intensive tasks than a virtual machine without a vGPU. A virtual machine with a vGPU can also run software that cannot run without a GPU, such as CAD.
"""

I think this paragraph is misleading, as it appears to point that it's possible to run software requiring 3D acceleration on RHV's VMs.

While it's expected that future versions of RHV will allow streaming from a vGPU to the client using a special SPICE channel, currently (as of 4.2) it's only possible to use them in headless mode, which is mainly intended for CUDA computing.

Comment 1 Lucy Bopf 2018-06-29 03:41:14 UTC
Accepting into the 4.2.5 (z2) program, and assigning to Megan for review.

Megan, it might be worth confirming with engineering and QE whether there are any additional limitations around the current implementation as well.

Comment 6 Martin Tessun 2018-10-17 15:21:36 UTC
(In reply to Sergio Lopez from comment #0)
> Description of problem:
> 
> The first paragraph of "Installing a vGPU on a Virtual Machine"
> (https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_virtualization/4.2/
> html-single/virtual_machine_management_guide/
> #Installing_a_vGPU_on_a_Virtual_Machine) reads as this:
> 
> """
> You can use a host with a compatible graphics processing unit (GPU) to run
> virtual machines with virtual GPUs (vGPUs). A virtual machine with a vGPU is
> better suited for graphics-intensive tasks than a virtual machine without a
> vGPU. A virtual machine with a vGPU can also run software that cannot run
> without a GPU, such as CAD.
> """
> 
> I think this paragraph is misleading, as it appears to point that it's
> possible to run software requiring 3D acceleration on RHV's VMs.
> 
> While it's expected that future versions of RHV will allow streaming from a
> vGPU to the client using a special SPICE channel, currently (as of 4.2) it's
> only possible to use them in headless mode, which is mainly intended for
> CUDA computing.

3D acceleration does work and is used by several customers. The only "issue" is that a 3rd party remote visualization solution needs to be used.

We currently test the following:
- Mechdyne TGX
- HP RGS
- Nice DCV

As you mentioned SPICE is not supported as of now, as we have issues shipping H.264 streaming due to patents.

Comment 8 Steve Goodman 2018-10-22 14:00:59 UTC
Martin,

If I understand correctly:
- The original paragraph mentioned in the first comment in the bug is true and does not need to be edited.
- We need to add the following to the list of vGPU requirements:
  - a 3rd party remote visualization solution. The following solutions have been tested: 
    - Mechdyne TGX
    - HP RGS
    - Nice DCV
    NOTE: SPICE is not supported.


Megan also asked about licenses, and I didn't see a response:

> Finally I wanted to clarify what license/s are required from nVidia to make
> this feature functional? The deep dive mentions requiring an enterprise account
> to access the required drivers, is this accurate? It also mentions requiring an
> nVidia GRID licensing server? Do you have any further information about this
> requirement?


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