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Virtualization: Proxmox VE

This page outlines how I installed, configured, and currently use Proxmox VE as the foundation of my home lab virtualization platform. It includes steps for installing Proxmox, setting up storage, creating virtual machines and LXC containers, and using templates for rapid deployment.

📥 1. Proxmox VE Installation

🛠 Requirements:                                                 

  • CPU with virtualization support (Intel VT-x / AMD-V)                                   

  • 8GB+ RAM (16GB recommended)                                                                  

  • SSD/HDD storage

  • Bootable USB with Proxmox ISO

🔧 Steps:

  1. Download the latest ISO: https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads

  2. Create a bootable USB drive with Rufus or the dd command.

  3. Boot from USB and follow the installation wizard:

    • Accept EULA

    • Select target disk (use ZFS if using multiple disks or for snapshots)

    • Set country, time zone, and keyboard

    • Set root password and email

    • Assign a static IP, hostname (e.g., proxmox.local), and gateway

  4. Reboot and access the web GUI:
    https://<proxmox-ip>:8006

⚙️ 2. Initial Configuration

✅ Post-Install Checklist:

  • Update system:

apt update && apt full-upgrade -y
  • (Optional) Remove subscription nag:
sed -i.bak "s|data.status !== 'Active'|false|" /usr/share/javascript/proxmox-widget-toolkit/proxmoxlib.js
systemctl restart pveproxy
  • Add no-subscription repo in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-enterprise.list:
deb http://download.proxmox.com/debian/pve bookworm pve-no-subscription

  • Add SSH key for secure login

  • Set up storage (local-lvm, additional disks via ZFS or ext4)

🧱 3. Creating a Virtual Machine (VM)

Steps:

  1. Upload ISO to local or local-lvm storage

  2. Go to Create VM

  3. General:

    • Name: ubuntu-server

  4. OS:

    • Select ISO image

  5. System:

    • Use default (UEFI or BIOS)

  6. Hard Disk:

    • Choose local-lvm, disk size

  7. CPU & Memory:

    • 2 cores, 4GB RAM (example)

  8. Network:

    • Select vmbr0 (bridge to LAN)

  9. Confirm and finish

Post-VM:

  • Start VM

  • Install OS (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Windows)

  • Set static IP, install guest agent:

apt install qemu-guest-agent
systemctl enable --now qemu-guest-agent

📦 4. Creating LXC Containers

LXC Benefits:

  • Lightweight, fast

  • Ideal for services like DNS, Pi-hole, NGINX, Git, etc.

Steps:

  1. Go to Create CT

  2. General:

    • Set hostname and password

  3. Template:

    • Download from Proxmox template library

  4. Root Disk:

    • Choose size and storage

  5. CPU & Memory:

    • Allocate as needed

  6. Network:

    • Assign static IP or DHCP

  7. Confirm and finish

Example Services via LXC:

  • Pi-hole

  • NGINX reverse proxy

  • Node Exporter

  • Lightweight Docker host (with nesting enabled)

🧰 5. Using and Creating Templates

VM Templates:

  1. Create and configure a VM (e.g., Ubuntu minimal)

  2. Shutdown VM

  3. Convert to template:

qm template <vmid>

LXC Templates:

  1. Download from CT Templates in Proxmox GUI

  2. Or upload custom .tar.gz template to:

/var/lib/vz/template/cache/

🛡️ 6. Best Practices & Tips

  • Backups: Schedule daily/weekly backups to external storage (e.g., NFS or USB)

  • Snapshots: Take before major updates or reconfigurations

  • Networking: Use VLANs and firewall rules via pfSense

  • High Availability (Optional): Use Proxmox cluster for HA with shared storage

  • Resource Monitoring: Integrate with Zabbix or built-in usage graphs

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