Virtualization on your own server

Installing Proxmox VE on your own server

Proxmox VE is a free operating system for virtualization. You install it on your own computer or mini PC and can run multiple virtual machines and containers on it: for example, Home Assistant, a NAS, Pi-hole, and a test server, all on one device. You manage it in your browser.

What do you need?

  • A computer or mini PC with a 64-bit processor from Intel or AMD that supports virtualization (almost every PC from the last ten years). An energy-efficient mini PC, like an Intel N100, is popular for home use.
  • Memory: at least 2 GB for Proxmox itself, plus what your virtual machines need. In practice, 8 GB is a good start and 16 GB or more is comfortable.
  • Storage: preferably an SSD. During installation, the chosen disk will be completely wiped.
  • A network cable. Proxmox is designed for a wired connection; Wi-Fi is not suitable for management.
  • A USB stick of at least 8 GB to boot from, and a second computer to create it.
  • A monitor and keyboard for installation. After that, you manage everything remotely.

Step 1: download the installation image

Go to the Proxmox download page and download the Proxmox VE ISO Installer. Then check if the file is not corrupted with the hash listed on the page. You can do this with our hash generator: choose your file, paste the SHA-256 from the download page, and see if they match.

Step 2: create a bootable USB stick

  • Windows: use Rufus. Choose the ISO and the USB stick. If Rufus asks about the write mode, choose DD-image.
  • macOS, Windows, or Linux: use balenaEtcher. Choose the ISO, choose the stick, and click Flash.
  • Linux (terminal): replace /dev/sdX with your stick. Check the name carefully, because everything on that device will be erased.
sudo dd if=proxmox-ve.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=1M status=progress conv=fsync

Step 3: enable virtualization and boot from the stick

  1. Start the computer and open the BIOS or UEFI (often with Del, F2, or F10).
  2. Enable virtualization: Intel VT-x or AMD-V / SVM. If it’s off, you won’t be able to run virtual machines.
  3. Choose the USB stick as the boot device. Recent Proxmox versions support Secure Boot; if booting causes problems, turn it off.

Step 4: complete the installation

Choose Install Proxmox VE (Graphical) and follow the screens:

  1. License: read and accept the terms.
  2. Target disk: choose the disk for Proxmox. Under Options you choose the file system. ext4 is the simplest choice for one disk. If you have two identical disks and want one to be allowed to fail, choose ZFS (RAID1).
  3. Country, time zone, and keyboard: choose the Netherlands, Europe/Amsterdam, and your keyboard layout.
  4. Password and email: this will be the password for the root user. Use a strong password (for example from our password generator). The email address is for notifications.
  5. Network: choose the network card, give the server a name (like pve.home.arpa) and a static IP address in your home network, for example 192.168.1.20/24, with your router’s gateway and a DNS server. Choose an address outside the range your router hands out itself.
  6. Summary: check everything and click Install. Leave automatic restart on and remove the USB stick when the computer reboots.

Step 5: open the web interface

Open on another computer in your network https://192.168.1.20:8006 (with the address you chose yourself). You’ll see a warning about the certificate; that’s normal, because Proxmox uses its own certificate. Choose to continue. Log in with user root, the password from the installation, and for Realm the option Linux PAM standard authentication.

Do you see a “No valid subscription” message? That’s a reminder that you don’t have a paid subscription. You don’t need that at home and you can click it away.

What now?

Your Proxmox is running. Then read how to set up updates and how to create your first virtual machine. The official guide is at pve.proxmox.com.