Proxmox VE is a virtualization platform (virtual environment) is a free, open-source virtualization platform based on Debian which is gaining a lot of traction lately. It’s continually under development, but already feature-rich and relatively simple to set up and use.
Out-of-the-box it’s already good to go, but there are some automations that can help simplify the job.
One good recommendation is to use Terraform to deploy (bare metal) and Ansible to set up the packages.
Basic Main Steps to Install Proxmox VE
Installation is straightforward using the official ISO, which can be booted from a USB drive or CD/DVD. Below, I’ll outline the main steps based on the official documentation. Note that the process will erase data on the target disk(s), so back up anything important first. The installer offers both a graphical (recommended for most users) and text-based (for compatibility) mode—they have the same features.
Prerequisites
– **Hardware Requirements**:
– 64-bit CPU with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
– At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB+ recommended; more for ZFS storage).
– A disk for installation (SSD recommended for performance).
– Disable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI if using Proxmox VE <8.1.
– Download the latest ISO from the official site (proxmox.com/downloads) and create bootable media (e.g., using Rufus on Windows or `dd` on Linux).
Step 1: Boot from the Installation Media
1. Insert your bootable USB/CD into the server.
2. Enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10 during startup) and set the boot order to prioritize the USB/CD.
3. Save and exit—the system will boot into the Proxmox VE menu.
4. Select **Install Proxmox VE (Graphical)** for a visual installer (or **Terminal UI** if graphics fail—add `nomodeset` to the boot line by pressing ‘e’ if needed).
Step 2: Accept the EULA
– Read the End User License Agreement (EULA) and click **I agree** to proceed.
Step 3: Select Target Disk and Partitioning
1. Choose the target disk(s) for installation (e.g., /dev/sda)—this wipes all data on it.
2. Click **Options** to configure:
– Filesystem: Default is ext4 with LVM (logical volume manager). Alternatives: XFS (similar), ZFS (for RAID-like features, needs more RAM), or BTRFS (experimental).
– Advanced tweaks: Adjust sizes for root, data, and swap volumes (e.g., swap defaults to your RAM size, min 4 GB).
3. Confirm and proceed— the installer will format and partition automatically.
**Tip**: For ZFS, select multiple disks if you want mirroring; avoid hardware RAID to prevent issues.
Step 4: Set Location, Time Zone, and Keyboard Layout
– Select your country/region (affects download mirrors), time zone, and keyboard layout (auto-detected from your settings).
Step 5: Configure Root Password and Email
1. Set a strong root password (at least 8 characters; aim for 12+ with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols—avoid dictionary words).
2. Enter an email address for system notifications (e.g., updates, errors).
Step 6: Configure Network
1. Select your network interface (active ones show a filled circle icon).
2. Set IP address (static recommended; e.g., 192.168.1.100), subnet mask (e.g., 255.255.255.0), gateway, and DNS servers.
3. Skip IPv6 for now if not needed (add later).
Step 7: Review Summary and Start Installation
1. Review all settings in the summary screen—use **Previous** to edit if needed.
2. Click **Install** to begin: The installer formats the disk, creates partitions, and copies packages (takes 5–15 minutes depending on hardware).
3. Once done, remove the media and reboot (automatic prompt).
Step 8: Post-Installation Setup
1. After reboot, open a web browser on another machine and go to `https://[your-server-IP]:8006` (ignore SSL warning; it’s self-signed).
2. Log in as **root** with your password (select “PAM” realm).
3. Update the system via the web GUI (Datacenter > [Node] > Updates).
4. Optional: Subscribe to the no-subscription repo for free updates or upload an enterprise key.
If issues arise (e.g., black screen), switch to TTY2 (Ctrl+Alt+F2) for logs. For production, allocate more RAM and consider SSDs for storage pools. This covers a basic install—refer to the official wiki for advanced options like clustering.
