Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE)

A Comprehensive Guide to Efficient Virtualisation

12 min readJul 31, 2023

Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) is an open-source virtualization platform that allows you to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) and containers on a single host. It is a powerful and flexible solution that combines two key virtualization technologies: Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) for full virtualization and Linux Containers (LXC) for lightweight containerization.

Key features of Proxmox VE include

Virtualization: Proxmox VE provides full virtualization capabilities through KVM, which allows you to run multiple virtual machines, each with its own operating system, on a single physical server. This is suitable for running various guest operating systems, including Windows and Linux.

Containerization: Proxmox VE also supports Linux Containers (LXC), enabling you to create lightweight and fast containers that share the host’s kernel. Containers are ideal for deploying applications and services with low overhead and fast deployment times.

Web-based Management: Proxmox VE offers a user-friendly web-based management interface, making it accessible from any web browser. This interface allows administrators to easily create, configure, and manage virtual machines and containers.

High Availability (HA): Proxmox VE supports high availability clustering, allowing you to create a cluster of multiple Proxmox VE nodes. If one node fails, the virtual machines and containers can automatically migrate to other nodes, ensuring continuous service availability.

Backup and Restore: Proxmox VE includes built-in backup and restore functionalities, making it easy to safeguard your virtual machines and containers. You can schedule automated backups and quickly restore them if needed.

Centralized Storage: The platform supports various storage options, including local storage, network-attached storage (NAS), and storage area network (SAN). This flexibility enables you to choose the most suitable storage solution for your needs.

Open Source and Community-Driven: Proxmox VE is an open-source project, which means the software is freely available for use and can be modified according to open-source licenses. The project is actively developed and supported by a dedicated community of users and developers.

Proxmox VE is widely used in data centres, small to medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, and cloud service providers. Its robust features and intuitive interface make it an excellent choice for those looking to set up and manage virtualised environments efficiently.

Proxmox versions

As of July 2023, the following Proxmox VE versions are available:

Proxmox VE 7.4

Proxmox VE 7.3

Proxmox VE 7.2

Proxmox VE 7.1

Proxmox VE 7.0

Proxmox VE 8.0 is currently in beta testing.

The latest version of Proxmox VE is always the best option, as it includes the latest features and security updates. However, if you are running a stable system and are not sure if you need the latest features, you can stay on an older version.

Keep in mind that software updates and feature enhancements may occur over time, so I recommend checking the official Proxmox website or documentation for the latest information and releases.

Here are the general steps to install Proxmox VE

Download Proxmox VE ISO:

Go to the Proxmox website (https://www.proxmox.com/proxmox-ve) and navigate to the “Downloads” section.

Download the latest stable ISO image that matches your server’s architecture (usually 64-bit x86/amd64).
Prepare Bootable Media:
Burn the downloaded ISO to a DVD or create a bootable USB drive using software like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Windows, macOS, and Linux).
Boot from Installation Media
Insert the Proxmox VE bootable media into the server where you want to install Proxmox.
Boot the server from the installation media.
Start Installation:
When the server boots from the installation media, you will see the Proxmox VE boot menu.
Choose “Install Proxmox VE”, and press Enter to start the installation process.
Select Language and Keyboard Layout:
Choose your preferred language and keyboard layout.

Disk Partitioning

Proxmox VE will present the available storage devices on your server. Select the disk where you want to install Proxmox VE.

You can choose to use the entire disk or manually partition it. If you’re unsure, you can select the default option to use the entire disk.

Set Root Password

Create a root password for the Proxmox VE server.

Network Configuration

Configure the network settings, such as the IP address, gateway, and DNS.

Time Zone and NTP

Select your time zone and configure NTP (Network Time Protocol) settings.

Confirm Installation

Review the installation summary and confirm the settings.

Begin Installation

Once you’ve confirmed, the Proxmox VE installation will begin.

Reboot

After the installation is complete, remove the installation media and reboot the server.

Access Proxmox VE Web Interface:

After the server has rebooted, you can access the Proxmox VE web interface by entering the server’s IP address into a web browser. The web interface runs on port 8006, so the URL would typically be https://your_server_ip:8006.

Log In and License

You will be prompted to enter your subscription key if you have a Proxmox VE subscription. If not, you can use the community (non-subscription) version with some limitations.

Set Up Networking and Storage

Follow the on-screen instructions to configure networking and storage for your Proxmox VE environment.

Once you complete these steps, your Proxmox VE installation will be ready for use, and you can start creating virtual machines and containers using the web interface.

Please note that the installation process may vary slightly depending on the hardware and network configuration of your server. Always consult the official Proxmox VE documentation for the most up-to-date installation instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and manage VMs in Proxmox VE

Access Proxmox VE Web Interface

Open a web browser and enter the IP address or hostname of your Proxmox VE server, followed by port 8006 (e.g., https://your_server_ip:8006).

Navigate to Virtual Machines:

In the Proxmox VE web interface, click on “Virtual Machines” in the left sidebar under the “Datacenter” section.

Create a New Virtual Machine

Click the “Create VM” button in the top toolbar.

Virtual Machine Wizard

The VM creation process is guided by a wizard. In the first step, you will need to select a Node (physical server) where the VM will be created.

VM Options

Enter a meaningful name for the VM in the “Name” field.

Choose the desired operating system from the “OS” drop-down menu. This helps set some defaults for the VM. Specify the amount of RAM you want to allocate to the VM.

Select the desired storage location for the VM’s disk image.

Disk Options

Choose whether to create a new disk image or use an existing disk image. Set the disk size and format (usually “qcow2” for most use cases).

CPU Options

Select the number of CPU cores and the CPU type for the VM.

Network Options

Choose the network interface for the VM and select the appropriate network from the drop-down menu.

Confirm and Create

Review the VM settings and click “Finish” to create the VM.

VM Management

Once the VM is created, it will be listed in the “Virtual Machines” section of the web interface. Right-click on the VM to access various management options, such as starting, stopping, and deleting the VM.

Access VM Console

To access the VM’s console, select the VM and click the “Console” tab in the right pane.

If you have installed a graphical desktop environment on the VM, you can access it by clicking the “HTML5 SPICE Console” button.

Virtual Machine Snapshots

Proxmox VE allows you to take snapshots of VMs to create backup points or test configurations.

To take a snapshot, right-click on the VM and select “Create Snapshot.”

Virtual Machine Templates

Proxmox VE allows you to create templates from existing VMs for faster deployment of similar VMs in the future.

To create a template, right-click on the VM and select “Convert to Template.”

Virtual Machine Backups

Proxmox VE provides built-in backup and restore functionalities for VMs. To back up a VM, right-click on the VM and select “Backup.”

High Availability and Clustering

If you have multiple Proxmox VE nodes, you can set up high availability clustering to ensure VMs automatically migrate to other nodes in case of a node failure.

Please note that this is a basic guide to creating and managing VMs in Proxmox VE. The platform offers many advanced features, such as CPU and memory hot-plugging, GPU passthrough, and more. It is essential to consult the official Proxmox VE documentation for a comprehensive understanding of all the available features and best practices for VM management.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and manage containers in Proxmox VE

Access Proxmox VE Web Interface

Open a web browser and enter the IP address or hostname of your Proxmox VE server, followed by port 8006 (e.g., https://your_server_ip:8006).

Navigate to Containers:

In the Proxmox VE web interface, click on “Containers” in the left sidebar under the “Datacenter” section.

Create a New Container

Click the “Create CT” button in the top toolbar.

Container Wizard

The container creation process is guided by a wizard. In the first step, you will need to select a Node (physical server) where the container will be created.

CT Options

Enter a meaningful name for the container in the “Name” field.

Choose the desired operating system template from the “Template” drop-down menu. Proxmox VE provides a list of popular Linux distributions and templates.

Specify the amount of RAM you want to allocate to the container.

Disk Options

Choose the storage location for the container’s root disk. You can use local storage or a shared storage option.

Network Options

Choose the network interface for the container and select the appropriate network from the drop-down menu.

Advanced Options (Optional)

If you have specific requirements, you can customize additional settings in the “Resources,” “Features,” and “Options” tabs.

Confirm and Create

Review the container settings and click “Finish” to create the container.

Container Management

Once the container is created, it will be listed in the “Containers” section of the web interface. Right-click on the container to access various management options, such as starting, stopping, and deleting the container.

Access Container Console

To access the container’s console (text-based interface), select the container and click the “Console” tab in the right pane.

Container Snapshots

Proxmox VE allows you to take snapshots of containers to create backup points or test configurations.

To take a snapshot, right-click on the container and select “Create Snapshot.”

Container Templates

Similar to virtual machines, you can create templates from existing containers for faster deployment of similar containers in the future.

To create a template, right-click on the container and select “Convert to Template.”

Container Backups

Proxmox VE provides built-in backup and restore functionalities for containers.

To back up a container, right-click on the container and select “Backup.”

Please note that containers are lightweight and share the host’s kernel, making them more efficient in terms of resource utilisation compared to virtual machines. However, they are suitable for specific use cases, such as deploying applications or services in isolated environments.

It is essential to consult the official Proxmox VE documentation for a comprehensive understanding of all available features and best practices for container management.

high availability (HA) clustering

Using high availability (HA) clustering in Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) ensures that your virtual machines (VMs) and containers are automatically migrated to other nodes in the cluster in case of a node failure. This enhances the overall availability and reliability of your virtualised environment. Setting up HA clustering in Proxmox VE involves the following steps.

Prepare Proxmox VE Nodes

Ensure that you have two or more Proxmox VE nodes in your cluster with compatible hardware and network connectivity.

Install Proxmox VE on Each Node

Install Proxmox VE on each node following the installation steps provided in the Proxmox VE documentation.

Enable Corosync and Pacemaker

In the Proxmox VE web interface, navigate to “Datacenter” and then “HA.” Click on “Enable” to enable the High Availability (HA) stack, which includes Corosync and Pacemaker.

Configure Network for HA Communication

Click on the “Options” tab in the “HA” section. In the “Network” field, select the network interface that will be used for HA communication between the nodes.

Create HA Resources

Click on the “Resources” tab in the “HA” section. You can add various types of HA resources, such as virtual machines, containers, storages, and services.

To add a new HA resource, click on the “Add” button and follow the instructions to specify the type and configuration details.

Set Resource Constraints (Optional)

You can set resource constraints for the HA resources to define rules for how they should be managed during a cluster failure or recovery. For example, you can specify which node should have a higher priority for running specific resources.

Set Quorum Options

Quorum is a critical aspect of clustering that ensures the cluster remains operational even in split-brain scenarios. By default, Proxmox VE uses the “quorum votes” model, which automatically determines the cluster state based on the number of online nodes.

Start the HA Stack

Click on the “Start” button in the “HA” section to start the HA stack and activate the configuration changes.

Test Failover and Recovery

To test the HA setup, simulate a node failure or shutdown. The HA stack should automatically detect the failure and migrate the affected resources to the remaining nodes in the cluster. Monitor the migration and verify that the VMs and containers are running on the surviving nodes.

Monitor and Maintain

Regularly monitor the health and status of your cluster using the Proxmox VE web interface and system logs. Ensure that all nodes have sufficient resources to handle the workload in case of a failover event.

Please note that configuring an HA cluster can be a complex task, and it is essential to have a good understanding of Proxmox VE, networking, and cluster management concepts before setting up HA. Refer to the official Proxmox VE documentation for detailed instructions and best practices on setting up and managing high-availability clustering.

Disaster recovery

Disaster recovery in Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) involves implementing strategies to protect your virtual machines (VMs) and data from potential disasters or major failures. These strategies aim to ensure business continuity and the ability to recover quickly in the event of catastrophic events. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use disaster recovery features in Proxmox VE

Back-Up Virtual Machines and Containers

Regularly back up your VMs and containers to create restore points. Proxmox VE provides built-in backup functionality that allows you to schedule automated backups and store them in different storage locations, including local disks, network-attached storage (NAS), or a storage area network (SAN).

Backup Storage Configuration

Configure the backup storage settings in Proxmox VE to specify where the backup files should be stored. You can use local storage, NFS, CIFS, or other supported storage options.

Backup Scheduling

Create backup schedules based on your requirements. You can schedule backups to occur daily, weekly, or at custom intervals. Consider the frequency of changes in your VMs and containers when setting up backup schedules.

Disaster Recovery Site (Optional)

If you have multiple data centers or locations, consider setting up a disaster recovery site where you can replicate your backups to ensure additional data redundancy.

Verify Backup Integrity

Regularly test your backups by restoring them to a test environment. This helps ensure that the backup files are valid and can be used for recovery if needed.

Disaster Recovery Plan

Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that includes step-by-step procedures for recovering VMs and containers in case of a disaster.

Assign specific roles and responsibilities to team members for executing the disaster recovery plan.

Backup Offsite Replication (Optional)

Consider replicating your backups to an offsite location to protect against site-wide disasters, such as fires or floods, affecting your primary data center.

High Availability (HA) Clustering

Implement high availability (HA) clustering to automatically migrate VMs and containers to other nodes in the cluster in case of a node failure.

HA clustering helps ensure uninterrupted service availability in the event of a hardware failure.

Test Disaster Recovery Procedures

Regularly conduct disaster recovery drills to test your recovery procedures and identify any potential issues or gaps in your disaster recovery plan.

These tests should be done in a controlled environment to avoid impacting production systems.

Monitor and Review

Continuously monitor the health and status of your VMs, containers, and backups using the Proxmox VE web interface and system logs.

Regularly review and update your disaster recovery plan to accommodate changes in your infrastructure and business needs.

By following these steps and implementing disaster recovery best practices in Proxmox VE, you can enhance the resilience of your virtualized environment and be better prepared to recover from unexpected disasters or failures. Remember to consult the official Proxmox VE documentation and seek professional guidance if needed to ensure a robust disaster recovery strategy.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) is a powerful and flexible open-source virtualization platform that allows users to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) and containers on a single host. Its combination of Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) for full virtualization and Linux Containers (LXC) for lightweight containerization provides a versatile solution suitable for various use cases.

Proxmox VE offers a user-friendly web-based management interface, making it accessible from any web browser. It supports high availability (HA) clustering, ensuring continuous service availability by automatically migrating VMs and containers to other nodes in the cluster during node failures.

With built-in backup and restore functionalities, users can easily safeguard their virtual machines and containers. Proxmox VE’s support for various storage options allows flexibility in choosing the most suitable storage solution for different needs.

The availability of different Proxmox VE versions ensures users can choose the version that best fits their requirements, with the latest version providing the latest features and security updates. The platform’s active open-source community ensures ongoing development and support.

Overall, Proxmox VE is widely used in data centers, businesses, educational institutions, and cloud service providers, offering an efficient and reliable solution for managing virtualized environments. It is essential to consult the official Proxmox VE documentation for up-to-date installation instructions, best practices, and feature details to make the most of this robust virtualization platform.