Why Choose Proxmox VE?

• All-in-one: KVM for full VMs + LXC containers in one UI.
• Open-source with optional enterprise repo; huge community.
• Web-based management: Create, snapshot, and back up VMs from the browser.
• ZFS support: Software RAID, checksums, snapshots, and replication.
• Scales up: Cluster multiple nodes and enable High Availability.

Requirements (Hardware & Software)

Minimum Hardware

• 64-bit CPU (Intel VT-x/AMD-V recommended)
• RAM: 2 GB minimum (8 GB+ recommended for multiple VMs)
• Storage: 32 GB+ (SSD/NVMe recommended)
• Network: 1× Ethernet (2+ if using VLANs/bonding)

Download

Get the latest Proxmox VE ISO from the official site, then create a bootable USB with Rufus (Windows), BalenaEtcher (cross-platform), or dd (Linux/macOS).

Prep: BIOS/UEFI & Bootable USB

1) Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI

• Turn on Intel VT-x/VT-d or AMD-V/IOMMU.
• Set Boot Mode to UEFI (preferred) and enable AHCI/NVMe for storage.
• Disable fast boot/CSM if the installer doesn’t appear.

2) Create a Bootable USB

Linux/macOS example (replace /dev/sdX with your USB device):

sudo dd if=proxmox-ve.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync

Install Proxmox VE (Wizard)

1. Boot from USB and choose Install Proxmox VE.
2. License + Target Disk: Accept, then pick the disk (or choose ZFS, see below).
3. Locale: Set country, time zone, keyboard.
4. Admin: Create the root password and enter an email for alerts.
5. Network: Assign a static IP, gateway, and DNS.
6. Install → Wait for completion → Reboot and remove USB.

First Login & Post-Install Steps

1. Open a browser and go to:

   https://<your-server-ip>:8006

   (You may need to proceed past a self-signed certificate warning.)
2. Login as root with the password you set.
3. Update the node:

   apt update && apt full-upgrade -y

4. (Optional) Switch to the no-subscription repo if you don’t have an enterprise subscription:

   # In the web UI: Node > Repositories > Disable "Enterprise" and enable "No-Subscription"
   # Or via CLI (varies by version); use the UI if you're new.

5. Add storage (local-LVM, ZFS pool, NFS, or SMB) and start creating VMs/containers.

Learn about storage choices

Networking Tips (Static IP, VLANs)

• Use a static management IP on your Proxmox host.
• Create a Linux Bridge (e.g., vmbr0) to attach VM NICs to your LAN or trunk.
• For VLANs, tag the bridge port on your switch and set VLAN IDs on VM NICs.
• Bond multiple NICs (LACP) for redundancy/throughput if your switch supports it.

Storage Choices: ext4 vs ZFS

ext4 (LVM-thin)

• Pros: Simple, fast, low RAM usage.
• Best for: Single-disk installs, small labs.

ZFS

• Pros: RAID (mirror/RAIDZ), checksums, snapshots, send/receive replication.
• Considerations: Likes RAM (~1 GB per TB of raw storage is a common rule-of-thumb).
• Best for: Data integrity, multi-disk pools, easy snapshots and rollback.

Troubleshooting

• Installer can’t find disks: Set SATA/NVMe mode to AHCI; update BIOS.
• No network after install: Check bridge config (vmbr0) and switch port VLANs.
• Can’t reach web UI: Verify IP/gateway/DNS; ensure nothing blocks port 8006.
• Package repository errors: Confirm that only one Proxmox repo is enabled and it matches your Proxmox/Debian version.

FAQ

Is Proxmox free to use?

Yes. Core features are free and open-source. A paid subscription provides enterprise repository access and support.

Can I install on a USB or SD card?

It’s possible but not recommended for production. Use SSD/NVMe for reliability and speed.

Do I need ECC RAM?

No, but it’s recommended for ZFS to reduce the risk of undetected memory errors.

Can I add a GPU later for passthrough?

Yes. Enable IOMMU in BIOS, configure kernel params, and map the device to a VM; results vary by hardware.

Conclusion

That’s it! Your Proxmox VE host is live and ready for VMs and containers. Next, consider adding backups, experimenting with ZFS snapshots, and—when you’re ready—joining multiple nodes into a cluster.

Back to Post-Install Steps