How to Install Proxmox: A Beginner's Guide

Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment) is a powerful, open-source virtualization platform that allows you to manage virtual machines (VMs) and containers with ease. Whether you're setting up a home lab or running a production server, Proxmox offers robust tools for your needs. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Proxmox from scratch.

Haseeb

5/8/20243 min read

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, ensure you have the following:

  1. Hardware Requirements:

    A 64-bit processor (Intel VT-x/AMD-V support recommended).

    • At least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB or more recommended).

    • Minimum 32 GB storage for the Proxmox OS.

    • A reliable internet connection.

  2. Necessary Tools:

    • A USB flash drive (at least 2 GB).

    • Software to create a bootable USB (e.g., Rufus, Balena Etcher).

  3. Download Proxmox VE ISO:

    • Visit the official Proxmox website and download the latest ISO file.

Step 1: Creating Bootable USB Drive

Using Rufus (Windows) or dd command (Linux):

For Windows Users:

  1. Download and open Rufus

  2. Select your USB drive

  3. Choose the Proxmox ISO file

  4. Use default settings (GPT partition scheme for UEFI)

  5. Click "Start" to create the bootable drive

For Linux Users:

bash

Step 3: BIOS/UEFI Configuration

  1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings

  2. Enable CPU virtualization (VT-x/AMD-V)

  3. Set boot priority to USB first

  4. Save changes and exit

Step 4: Starting the Installation

  1. Boot from the USB drive

  2. At the Proxmox VE boot screen, select "Install Proxmox VE"

  3. Accept the EULA

Step 5: Configuration Settings
Storage Configuration

  1. Select the target hard drive

  2. Choose filesystem options (ext4 recommended for beginners)

  3. Review and confirm partition layout

Network Configuration

  1. Select your network interface

  2. Enter hostname (FQDN format: proxmox.yourdomain.com)

  3. Configure IP address settings:

    • IP address (static recommended)

    • Subnet mask

    • Gateway

    • DNS server

Account Setup

  1. Enter your email address for system notifications

  2. Create root password (use a strong password!)

  3. Confirm all settings

Step 6: Installation Process

  1. Review all settings

  2. Click "Install" to begin

  3. Wait for installation to complete (typically 10-15 minutes)

  4. System will reboot automatically when finished

Step 7: First Boot and Verification

  1. After reboot, note the IP address and port (default: 8006)

  2. From another computer, open a web browser

  3. Navigate to: https://your-ip:8006

  4. Log in with root credentials created during installation

Post-Installation Steps
Update Repository Sources

bash

Update System

bash

Disable Enterprise Repository

bash

Troubleshooting Common Issues
Network Configuration Problems

If you can't access the web interface:

  1. Verify network settings: ip a

  2. Check firewall status: pve-firewall status

  3. Ensure port 8006 is accessible

Virtualization Support

If VMs won't start:

bash

Conclusion: You’re All Set to Self-Host Like a Pro

And just like that, you’ve installed Proxmox, configured it, and created your first VM. Now you can host pretty much anything—whether it's a web server, a media server, or any other service you need for your self-hosting project.

Next Steps:

  • Install additional VMs for various tasks.

  • Explore containers with LXC.

  • Set up backups and security measures to protect your data.

Now you're ready to dive deeper into self-hosting and Linux servers! Whether you're running a single VM or a whole server farm, Proxmox makes managing your virtualized environment simple and powerful. Get started today and enjoy the power of self-hosting!

FAQs

Q1: Can I run Proxmox on older hardware? A1: Yes, but ensure that your hardware supports virtualization (Intel VT or AMD-V). It may run slower on older hardware, but it will work.

Q2: Do I need a dedicated server for Proxmox? A2: Not necessarily. Proxmox can run on consumer hardware, but a dedicated server or a decent home lab setup is ideal for optimal performance.

Q3: Can I create a Windows VM on Proxmox? A3: Absolutely! Proxmox supports Windows, Linux, and other operating systems for virtualization.

Q4: How secure is Proxmox? A4: Proxmox is secure by default, but ensure you keep it updated and configure firewall rules to secure your system.

If you're all in on self-hosting and Linux, Proxmox is your friend. Let's get your server up and running!