Proxmox is not the best solution for creating a virtual server, but if cost is very important to you, it is a convincing tool. This tool is based on Debian and the significant point is that you can create a new server with it instead of installing it on another server. This tutorial is going to show you the top way to install Proxmox in Ubuntu 20.04 without having to create a new server. Note that you can not install Proxmax on Ubuntu directly. The correct way to make it possible is to install it on disk or as a package on Debian, and the only way to make it possible on Ubuntu is to run it on a virtual machine. I know that this method is unusual but if you want to save your Ubuntu server, but can’t install Proxmox, it is the only solution.

What is Proxmox?

Proxmox is a platform for complete server management that was created as an open source for enterprise virtualization. This tool, called Linux Containers (LCX), Hypervisor KVM, integrates software-defined networking and storage functions into one platform. As a result, virtual machines, containers, high-availability clusters, and disaster recovery tools can be easily managed with a unified user interface.

Proxmox has a complete focus on software-based and enterprise-class features that make this platform a viable option for IT infrastructure virtualization, resource optimization, and increased efficiency at a low cost. This means you can easily virtualize your most demanding Linux and Windows application workloads and be confident that your data center will be set up for future growth.

The Best Way to Install Proxmox on Ubuntu 20.04

It may be wisest to install this platform on a bare-metal server as it is a very important tool that should not be applied as a package to an existing operating system, but the important thing is that it is based on Debian and does not work on other systems. But if you plan to install Proxmox on the existing Ubuntu server, then keep following this tutorial.

Required Steps to Install Proxmox on Ubuntu

Here are the prerequisites:

– A Linux VPS Server with Ubuntu operating system

– Installing Virt-manager to host Proxmox

– Creating a new virtual machine

– Using Proxmox web interface

Installing Proxmox on Ubuntu 20.04

Note that first of all, you need to get a full backup of your system. it is better to use the desktop version of Ubuntu.

Updating the Current Operating System

Now let’s start by updating your current system. You can use the command below:

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade

Installing Viet-Manager on Ubuntu

One of the easiest ways to create a virtual machine is to use Virt-manager on your Ubuntu desktop. So, use the command below:

sudo apt install virt-manager

After the installation, you will have this tool in your application list. Reboot your system to make it work correctly. If you received an error it would be something like this:

unable to connect to libvirt qemu ///system

If rebooting the system is not possible for you, You can run Virt-manager as root by:

sudo virt-manager

So the problem will be fixed.

Downloading Proxmox

As you finished the steps above, it is time to download the Proxmox website and then the latest ISO file. Here is the link to get the ISO file:

Click on the download button and wait a few minutes. The latest version would be the first one on the list.

Creating a Virtual Machine to host Proxmox

Now open the virtual machine you installed before and follow the steps below to create a virtual machine running Proxmox:

– On the VM click on the first icon Create a new virtual machine:

– Leave the defaults as it is and go on with Local install media.

– Find the ISO file you just downloaded and choose Debian in the operating system list.

– Modify the CPU and memory settings.

Mention that Proxmox needs 2 GB for the main system then you can add as much memory as you need for the virtual machine. Also, 1 GHz is enough for the CPU.

– It is time to create a disk image for the virtual machine (the default is 20 GB which is enough for you)

It is recommended to add extra disks for your VM.

– Choose a name for the virtual machine to complete the wizard.

Now, start the Virtual machine and go on with the installation process and you will encounter the following boot menu:

As the last step, choose Install Proxmox VE and complete the installation process in the wizard:

Then you will be asked to create an account, Be careful to save the information that you will need for the web server.

After a successful installation, you will get a success message and the web interface URL:

Reboot your system again to apply the changes.

Accessing the Proxmox Interface

Well done! Now you have Ubuntu running VM manager and Debian VM on it and running Proxmox. You can do everything from the web server:

Be careful to reboot your server and don’t forget to restart the virtual machine, because it’s possible to not start automatically.

Conclusion

Proxmox is a great and powerful platform that can be used to have multiple virtual machines in a single system but the point is that you can install it on Debian because it is Debian based. Here, we represent the best method for you to use this tool on Ubuntu 20.04. You learned how to install Proxmox and the steps that are required for a successful installation. if you have any questions or ideas, please share them with a comment.

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