Proxmox VE Install

What is Proxmox?

Proxmox VE is an open-source virtualization platform combining KVM (for full VMs) and LXC (for lightweight containers). Think VMware or Hyper-V, but free and community-driven.

You'll learn to

Install Proxmox on bare metal
Create virtual machines and LXC containers
Configure storage and networking
Manage multiple nodes in a cluster
Set up backups and high availability

Part 1: Installation

Step 1: Download Proxmox ISO

Get the latest ISO from proxmox.com/downloads

Create a bootable USB:

# Linux
sudo dd if=proxmox-ve_*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=1M status=progress

# macOS
sudo dd if=proxmox-ve_*.iso of=/dev/rdiskX bs=1m

Step 2: Boot and install

Insert USB and boot from it
Select Install Proxmox VE
Accept the EULA and select target disk
Configure location, timezone, and root password
Set a static IP for the management interface
Complete installation and reboot

Step 3: Access the web interface

Open your browser to: https://<proxmox-ip>:8006

Part 2: Initial Configuration

Step 1: Update Proxmox

ssh root@<proxmox-ip>
apt update && apt full-upgrade -y
reboot

Step 2: Disable enterprise repository (no subscription)

nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-enterprise.list
# Comment out the enterprise line with #

Add the no-subscription repo:

echo "deb http://download.proxmox.com/debian/pve bookworm pve-no-subscription" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
apt update

Step 3: Create an admin user

Via web UI: Datacenter → Permissions → Users → Add

Part 3: Create Your First VM

Upload ISO: select your node → local storage → ISO Images → Upload
Click Create VM (top right)
Configure: Name, OS ISO, CPU (2–4 cores), Memory (4–8 GB), Disk (20–50 GB)
Set Network to vmbr0 (default bridge)
Start the VM and complete OS installation via console

Part 4: Create an LXC Container

Download a template: local storage → CT Templates → Templates
Click Create CT
Configure: hostname, password, template, storage, CPU, memory
Start the container — it boots in seconds

LXC containers are great for lightweight services like Pi-hole, Home Assistant, or databases where you don't need full VM isolation.

Part 5: Backups

Datacenter → Backup → Add schedule

Select VMs/containers to back up
Choose local storage or NFS/CIFS share
Set retention policy (e.g. keep last 3)
Proxmox runs backups automatically on schedule

Next steps

Deploy an Ubuntu Server VM as your Docker host
Run Pi-hole in an LXC container or Docker VM
Document your network layout on the Homelab page

Proxmox Hypervisor