Let's Install Proxmox 8.0!

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will go through the step-by-step process of installing Proxmox 8.0, setting up your first virtual machine, and understanding some essential features of this virtualization platform. This guide is perfect for anyone eager to create a home lab for virtual machines and storage solutions.

Chapter 1: Hardware Overview

Before installing Proxmox, ensure you understand the hardware requirements and configurations for your server:

• Server Chassis: Use an 8-bay server chassis capable of housing multiple drives.
• Storage: Equip your server with multiple SATA Enterprise disks (e.g., HGST HE6).
• Motherboard & CPU: Utilize a micro ATX motherboard with an Intel i9 11800H CPU for efficient performance (8 cores, 16 threads).
• Memory: Install 32 GB of DDR4 3200 RAM.
• Storage Drives: Use NVMe drives for optimal speed; two 1 TB drives are recommended.
• SATA Controller: A low-profile SATA controller (like ASMedia 1064) may be necessary for connecting additional drives.

Practical Tips

• Ensure all components fit well in the server chassis to avoid space issues.
• Consider the use of PCI Express passthrough for bare-metal access to hard drives when virtualizing storage solutions.

Chapter 2: Installing Proxmox 8.0

Follow these steps to install Proxmox:

1. Download Proxmox:

   • Visit proxmox.com and navigate to the Downloads section to get the latest Proxmox VE version (e.g., 8.0-2).

2. Create Bootable Media:

   • Use software like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable USB drive with the Proxmox ISO.

3. Boot from Installation Media:

   • Insert the USB drive into your server and boot up.

4. Accept the License Agreement:

   • Read and accept the End User License Agreement to proceed.

5. Select Hard Drives:

   • Choose the hard drives for installation. For redundancy, select a RAID 1 setup.
   • Use ZFS as your file system for better performance and management.

6. Configure Network Settings:

   • Assign a static IP address for Proxmox, as DHCP is not supported.

7. Finish Installation:

   • Complete the installation and remove the installation media.
   • Access Proxmox via a web browser at https://<Your-IP-Address>:8006.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Ensure your selected storage layout matches your hardware configuration.
• Remember to configure network settings correctly to avoid losing access to the web interface.

Chapter 3: Creating Your First Virtual Machine

Once Proxmox is installed, you can create your first virtual machine (VM):

1. Download OS ISO:

   • For this guide, download Ubuntu Server from ubuntu.com.

2. Upload ISO to Proxmox:

   • In the Proxmox interface, select your server, navigate to local storage, and upload the ISO file.

3. Create a New VM:

   • Right-click on your server icon and select "Create VM."
   • Assign a VM ID (e.g., 101) and name your VM (e.g., HomeLab-Ubuntu).

4. Select OS and Install Media:

   • Choose Linux as the OS type and select the uploaded Ubuntu ISO.

5. Configure VM Hardware:

   • System Tab: Use Q35 for UEFI, and select OVMF for the BIOS.
   • Disks Tab: Set the disk size (e.g., 80 GB) and keep the bus device at the default (SCSI).
   • CPU Tab: Allocate at least 4 threads for the VM.
   • Memory Tab: Assign at least 4 GB of RAM, ensuring ballooning is enabled.
   • Network Tab: Use the default bridge (vmbr0) and select VirtIO for optimal network performance.

6. Confirmation and Creation:

   • Review your settings and click Finish to create the VM.

7. Start the VM:

   • Select the VM and click Start. Open the console to interact with the VM.

Real-World Applications

• This process allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical server, making it ideal for testing, development, and learning environments.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Proxmox 8.0 and created your first virtual machine. Understanding hardware configurations, networking, and virtual machine settings will empower you to expand your home lab further. Future steps could include exploring advanced networking configurations, PCI passthrough, and additional virtual machine management techniques. Happy virtualizing!