Introduction
Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE) is a powerful open-source virtualization management platform. With Proxmox, you can run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server, making it an excellent choice for testing, development, or production environments. In this guide, we'll walk through the process of configuring Proxmox to install Ubuntu Server.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure you have:
- Proxmox VE Installed: Before diving into the installation, make sure you have followed our Proxmox installation guide to install Proxmox on you machine.
- Ubuntu Server ISO: Download the latest Ubuntu Server ISO from the official Ubuntu website.
- Access to Proxmox Web Interface: Ensure you can access the Proxmox web interface through your web browser.
Step 1: Upload the Ubuntu Server ISO to Proxmox
- Access Proxmox Web Interface: Open your web browser and navigate to https://[your-proxmox-ip]:8006. Log in with your Proxmox credentials.
- Select Datacenter: In the left sidebar, select your Proxmox server (usually listed as "Datacenter").
- Select Storage: Click on the storage where you want to upload the ISO file (usually named "local" or "local-lvm").
- Click on the Content tab.
- Click the Upload button.
- In the dialog that appears, choose the Ubuntu Server ISO file you downloaded earlier.
- Click Upload to start the process. Wait for the upload to complete.
Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine
- Create VM: Click on the Create VM button in the top-right corner of the Proxmox interface.
- VM ID: This is auto-generated, but you can customize it if desired.
- Name: Enter a name for your virtual machine (e.g., "Ubuntu Server").
- In the OS tab, select Linux as the type.
- Choose Ubuntu as the version, then click Next.
- Leave the default options unless you have specific needs (e.g., UEFI boot). Click Next.
- Bus/Device: Choose VirtIO for better performance.
- Disk Size: Set the desired disk size (e.g., 32GB).
- Click Next.
- Set the number of cores (e.g., 2) and type (usually host for performance).
- Click Next.
- Allocate memory (e.g., 2048MB).
- Click Next.
- Choose virtio as the model for better performance.
- Click Next.
- Confirm and Create: Review the settings and click Finish to create the VM.
Step 3: Configure VM Settings
- Go to the Options tab to review the settings. Ensure that the Boot Order is set to boot from CD/DVD first.
- Click on the Hardware tab.
- Select the CD/DVD drive, then click Edit.
- Choose the Ubuntu Server ISO you uploaded earlier from the dropdown menu.
- Click OK.
Step 4: Start the Virtual Machine
- Start VM: Click on the Start button in the top-right corner of the VM details page.
- Open Console: Click on the Console tab to access the VM's display.
Step 5: Install Ubuntu Server
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully configured Proxmox to install Ubuntu Server. This setup can serve as the foundation for various applications, whether you’re hosting web services, running databases, or developing software. Proxmox provides a robust environment for managing your virtual machines, and with Ubuntu Server, you have a reliable operating system to build upon.
Feel free to explore further configurations and optimizations as your needs evolve. Happy virtualizing!