Proxmox Setup Guide

Prepare Your Installation Media

1. Download the Proxmox VE ISO: Visit the Proxmox download page (opens in a new tab) and download the latest version of the Proxmox VE ISO.
2. Create a Bootable USB Drive: Using Rufus (opens in a new tab). We have a guide that covers this setup, step-by-step here.

Boot and Install Proxmox VE

1. Boot from the USB Drive: Insert the bootable USB drive into your server and boot from it. You may need to adjust the BIOS/UEFI settings to prioritize USB boot.
2. Start the Installation: Once booted, you'll see the Proxmox VE installer boot menu. Select "Install Proxmox VE" and press Enter. (In this guide we will be using the graphical installer.)
3. Accept the EULA: Read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).
4. Select the Target Hard Disk: Choose the disk where you want to install Proxmox VE. Ensure this disk is empty or contains no important data, as it will be formatted.
5. Configure the Country, Time Zone, and Keyboard Layout: Set your preferred country, time zone, and keyboard layout.
6. Set the Root Password and Email: Create a strong password for the root account and provide an email address for system notifications.
7. Configure the Network: Set up the hostname, IP address, netmask, gateway, and DNS server. Use a static IP address to avoid network issues later.
8. Finish the installation: After completing all previous steps, click the Install button at the end of the installation wizard to install Proxmox VE.

NOTE: The hostname will be used to identify the node in a cluster, and should NOT be changed after creating guests or joining a cluster. To learn more about Proxmox clusters click here.

First Boot and Basic Configuration

1. Reboot the System: Once the installation is complete, remove the USB drive and reboot your server.
2. Access the Web Interface: Open a web browser on a device connected to the same network and navigate to https://<your-server-ip>:8006. Note that the connection uses HTTPS and may show a security warning, which you can bypass.
3. Login to Proxmox VE: Use the root account and the password you set during installation to log in.

Update Proxmox VE

1. Update Package Repository: Open the shell, by navigating to <NODE_NAME> or SSH into your Proxmox server and run the following commands to update the package repository:

   NOTE: The NODE_NAME is located under Datacenter and is derived from the hostname set during installation.

   apt update
   apt upgrade -y

2. Update Proxmox VE Packages: Ensure all Proxmox VE packages are up to date:

   pveupdate
   pveupgrade

Configure Storage (Optional)

1. Add Local Storage: Navigate to Datacenter > Storage in the web interface. Add a new local storage for ISO images, backups, and containers.
2. Add Network Storage: If you have network-attached storage (NAS), you can add it under Datacenter > Storage by selecting the appropriate storage type (NFS, CIFS, etc.).

Create Virtual Machines and Containers

1. Create a Virtual Machine (VM): Navigate to Datacenter > Create VM. Follow the wizard to configure the VM, including selecting an ISO image, setting disk size, memory, and CPU resources.
2. Create a Container (CT): Navigate to Datacenter > Create CT. Follow the wizard to configure the container, choosing the desired OS template and resource allocation.

Backup and Restore (Recommended)

1. Set Up Backup: Configure backup jobs under Datacenter > Backup to automate backups of your VMs and containers.
2. Restore from Backup: Use the Restore option under the Storage menu to restore VMs and containers from backup files.