How to Install Proxmox on the Raspberry Pi

Ben
Ben
@benjislab

Proxmox is a powerful open-source virtualization platform that allows you to run virtual machines and containers. While Proxmox is typically used on more powerful hardware, you can also install it on a Raspberry Pi to create a flexible and efficient virtualization environment. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Proxmox on your Raspberry Pi.

Equipment Needed

  • Raspberry Pi (preferably Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB or 8GB RAM)
  • MicroSD card (at least 16GB)
  • MicroSD card reader
  • Internet connection
  • Power supply for Raspberry Pi

Step 1: Prepare Your Raspberry Pi

Install Raspberry Pi OS

  1. Download Raspberry Pi OS:

Download the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS Lite from the official Raspberry Pi website.

  1. Write the OS to the MicroSD Card:

Use Raspberry Pi Imager or Balena Etcher to write the Raspberry Pi OS image to your MicroSD card.

  1. Set Up the Raspberry Pi:

Insert the MicroSD card into your Raspberry Pi, connect it to a monitor, keyboard, and power it on. Follow the setup instructions to configure your Raspberry Pi.

  1. Update Your System:

Ensure your Raspberry Pi is up-to-date with the latest software and security patches.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install the Required Packages

To run Proxmox on Raspberry Pi, you need to install some additional packages and dependencies.

  1. Install the Required Packages:
sudo apt install -y qemu-guest-agent qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils
  1. Enable and Start the Libvirt Service:
sudo systemctl enable libvirtd
sudo systemctl start libvirtd

Step 3: Download and Install Proxmox VE

Proxmox VE is not officially supported on ARM architecture, but you can use a workaround to get it running on a Raspberry Pi.

  1. Add the Proxmox VE Repository:
echo "deb http://download.proxmox.com/debian/pve buster pve-no-subscription" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-install-repo.list
wget -qO - http://download.proxmox.com/debian/proxmox-ve-release-6.x.gpg | sudo apt-key add -
  1. Update the Package Lists:
sudo apt update
  1. Install Proxmox VE:
sudo apt install -y proxmox-ve

Step 4: Configure Proxmox VE

  1. Configure the Network:

Edit the network configuration file to set up a bridge interface.

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

Add the following configuration:

auto lo
    iface lo inet loopback
    
    auto eth0
    iface eth0 inet manual
    
    auto vmbr0
    iface vmbr0 inet dhcp
        bridge_ports eth0
        bridge_stp off
        bridge_fd 0

Save and close the file.

  1. Restart the Network Service:
sudo systemctl restart networking
  1. Access the Proxmox Web Interface:

Find the IP address of your Raspberry Pi using:

hostname -I

Open a web browser on your computer and navigate to:

https://<Raspberry_Pi_IP>:8006

You will see a warning about the self-signed SSL certificate. Proceed to the web interface.

  1. Log In to Proxmox VE:

Use the default username root and your Raspberry Pi password to log in.

Step 5: Create Virtual Machines and Containers

Create a Virtual Machine

  1. Navigate to the Proxmox VE Dashboard:

In the Proxmox web interface, go to the Datacenter section and click on your Raspberry Pi node.

  1. Create a New VM:

Click on Create VM and follow the wizard to set up a new virtual machine. Specify the VM name, operating system, and other configurations.

  1. Install an Operating System:

Upload an ISO image of the operating system you want to install and attach it to the VM. Start the VM and follow the installation instructions.

Create a Container

  1. Navigate to the Proxmox VE Dashboard:

In the Proxmox web interface, go to the Datacenter section and click on your Raspberry Pi node.

  1. Create a New Container:

Click on Create CT and follow the wizard to set up a new container. Specify the container name, template, and other configurations.

  1. Start the Container:

Once the container is created, start it from the Proxmox web interface.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can install and configure Proxmox on your Raspberry Pi, creating a versatile virtualization environment for running virtual machines and containers. While this setup is not officially supported, it provides a powerful solution for those looking to experiment with Proxmox on ARM architecture. Enjoy exploring the capabilities of Proxmox VE on your Raspberry Pi and enhance your virtualization experience.