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Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Proxmox VE and Configuring Your First Ubuntu VM

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By Roman TechnoVerse
3 min read
Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Proxmox VE and Configuring Your First Ubuntu VM

Proxmox VE is a robust open-source server virtualization platform perfect for homelabs or production environments. In this guide, we’ll walk through installing Proxmox, uploading an Ubuntu ISO, and creating your first virtual machine. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites

  1. Hardware: A dedicated server/PC or VM
  2. USB Flash Drive: ≥4GB (for Proxmox installer).
  3. Network: Ensure your server and client device are on the same network.

Part 1: Prepare a Bootable Proxmox USB Drive

Step 1: Download the Proxmox ISO

  1. Visit the Proxmox Downloads Page.
  2. Download the latest Proxmox VE ISO (e.g., version 8.1).

Step 2: Create Bootable Media

Use Balena Etcher (macOS/Linux/Windows) or Rufus (Windows):

  1. Format your USB drive (FAT32).
  2. Open Balena Etcher:
    • Click Flash from File → Select the Proxmox ISO.
    • Click Select Target → Choose your USB drive.
    • Click Flash and wait for completion.

Part 2: Install Proxmox VE

  1. Boot from USB:
    • Insert the USB drive into your server.
    • Restart the server and enter BIOS/UEFI (press F2, F10, F12, or DEL).
    • Set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
    • Save changes and reboot.
  2. Proxmox Installation:
    • Select Install Proxmox VE from the boot menu.
    • Accept the EULA by clicking I agree.
    • Select the target disk for installation.
    • Configure:
      • Country/Timezone: Set your location.
      • Password & Email: Set admin credentials.
      • Network: Verify the management interface and IP address.
    • Click Install and wait (~5-10 minutes).
    • Remove the USB drive after completion.
  3. Access the Proxmox Web Interface:
    • After reboot, note the IP address displayed on the screen.
    • On another device, open https://<your-proxmox-ip>:8006 in a browser.
    • Log in with your root credentials (email is optional).

Part 3: Upload an Ubuntu ISO Image

  1. In the Proxmox web interface:
    • Navigate to Datacenter → your-node → Storage → local.
    • Click ISO Images → Upload or Download from URL.
    • For Ubuntu Server 24.04:
      • URL: https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/ubuntu-24.04-live-server-amd64.iso.

Part 4: Create an Ubuntu Virtual Machine

  1. Create VM:
    • Click Create VM in the top-right corner.
    • General Tab: Name the VM (e.g., ubuntu-server).
    • OS Tab: Select the uploaded Ubuntu ISO.
    • System Tab: Enable QEMU Agent.
    • Disks Tab: Set disk size (e.g., 50GB).
    • CPU Tab: Allocate cores (e.g., 4).
    • Memory Tab: Assign RAM (e.g., 8192 MiB = 8GB).
    • Network Tab: Keep defaults (bridge vmbr0).
    • Confirm settings and click Finish (check Start after created).

Part 5: Install Ubuntu on the VM

  1. Start the Installation:
    • Select the VM → Console → Open Browser Console.
    • Follow the Ubuntu installer prompts:
      • Language: Select your language.
      • Updates: Install the latest installer updates.
      • Keyboard Layout: Configure as needed.
      • Network: Confirm settings (DHCP by default).
      • Storage: Use guided partitioning (defaults recommended).
      • User Setup: Enter a username, password, and hostname.
      • SSH Setup: Enable Install OpenSSH Server.
      • Snaps: Skip optional packages if desired.
    • Click Reboot after installation.
  2. Detach the ISO:
    • After reboot, if you see a cdrom.mount error:
      • Go to the VM’s Hardware tab → Remove the CD/DVD Drive.
      • Return to the VM Console and press Enter to dismiss the error message.

Part 6: Post-Installation Setup

  1. Update Packages & Install QEMU Agent:
    • Access the VM via Proxmox Console (logged in as your user with sudo privileges):
    • Update packages (run commands as root or with sudo):
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2
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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install qemu-guest-agent -y
sudo systemctl restart qemu-guest-agent
  1. Reboot the VM:
    • From the console, execute:
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sudo reboot
  1. SSH into the VM:
    • After reboot, note the VM’s IP from the Proxmox Summary tab.
    • Connect via terminal (use the username/password created during Ubuntu installation):
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ssh your-username@your-vm-ip

🎉 Congratulations! Your Proxmox environment and Ubuntu VM are ready for use.

homelab
homelab proxmox ubuntu virtualization
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