Creating Cloud-Init Enabled Ubuntu VM Templates in Proxmox

Introduction

This guide walks through creating a cloud-init enabled Ubuntu template in Proxmox for rapid VM provisioning. Cloud-init automates initial server configuration including user accounts, network settings, and package installation.

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Preparing the Cloud-Init Image

1. Access Proxmox Host

First, connect to your Proxmox server via SSH:

ssh proxmox-server-username@proxmox-server-ip

2. Download Ubuntu Cloud Image

export VM_ID="500"
wget -O ubuntu.img https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/releases/24.04/release/ubuntu-24.04-server-cloudimg-amd64.img

3. Image Customization

Install QEMU Guest Agent:

virt-customize -a ubuntu.img \
--install qemu-guest-agent \
--run-command 'systemctl enable qemu-guest-agent.service'

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Creating Proxmox VM Template

1. Configure Base VM

qm create ${VM_ID} \
--name ubuntu-24.04-cloudimg-template \
--agent 1,fstrim_cloned_disks=1 \
--core 4 \
--memory 8192 \
--net0 virtio,bridge=vmbr0

2. Import and Attach Disk

qm importdisk ${VM_ID} ubuntu.img local-lvm
qm set ${VM_ID} \
--scsihw virtio-scsi-pci \
--scsi0 local-lvm:vm-${VM_ID}-disk-0

3. Configure Cloud-Init

qm set ${VM_ID} \
--ide2 local-lvm:cloudinit \
--boot c --bootdisk scsi0 \
--serial0 socket --vga serial0

4. Finalize Template

qm template ${VM_ID}

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Deploying VM from Template

1. Clone and Configure

1. Right-click template → Clone
2. Select Full Clone mode
3. In Cloud-Init tab:
   • Username: Set username(e.g., ubuntu)
   • Password: Set secure password
   • SSH Keys: Paste your public key
   • IP Configuration:
     • DHCP (recommended)
     • Static IP:
       • Address/CIDR: 192.168.1.100/24
       • Gateway: 192.168.1.1
       • DNS: 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
4. Click Regenerate Image

2. Start and Connect

1. Launch VM → Check IP in Summary tab
2. SSH access examples:

ssh username@vm-dhcp-ip-address

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Useful Links

• Ubuntu Cloud Images
• Proxmox Cloud-Init Docs