Proxmox VE: open source virtualisation from Europe

Proxmox VE runs virtual machines and containers on standard servers. It is open source, developed in Vienna since 2008 and used worldwide. inett designs, builds and supports your cluster.

Proxmox VE 9.2 web interface showing a five-node cluster in the datacenter view with the Cluster Resource Scheduling dialog set to Dynamic Load
Screenshot: Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH

What Proxmox VE is

Proxmox VE is a virtualisation platform built on Debian. It runs virtual machines with KVM/QEMU and Linux containers with LXC. Several servers form a cluster. VMs move between nodes while running, and with high availability a VM restarts on another node if its server fails.

You manage storage, networking and the firewall in the same interface. Proxmox VE includes ZFS and Ceph and connects to NFS, SMB or iSCSI. You work through the web interface, a REST API or the command line. For backups, the same vendor offers Proxmox Backup Server.

Why Proxmox VE

  • Open source: The code is licensed under the GNU AGPLv3. You can inspect it and run the platform with every feature and no licence fees. There are no editions that lock features away.
  • From Europe: The vendor is Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH in Vienna. It is based in the EU and subject to European law. For organisations that care about digital sovereignty, that matters.
  • Over 20 years in business: Proxmox was founded in 2005, and the first Proxmox VE release came out in 2008. The platform has been developed continuously since.
  • Used worldwide: According to the vendor, more than 2.3 million servers run Proxmox VE. Over 60,000 companies hold a support subscription (Proxmox, September 2026).
  • Proven in production: Companies and public administrations have run Proxmox VE in production for years, from a single server to clusters with many nodes.
  • Vendor support: A subscription gives you direct access to Proxmox. Since October 2026, the Premium level includes support around the clock.

What inett does

inett is a Proxmox Gold Partner. Our team has worked with Proxmox VE since 2009. We support you from design to day-to-day operation:

  • Design: We size the hardware, the number of nodes, the network separation and the storage. If you need shared storage without a SAN, we include Ceph in the design.
  • Build: We install the nodes, configure the cluster, high availability, the firewall and user permissions, and document the set-up.
  • Expansion and upgrades: We add nodes to existing clusters and carry out upgrades to new major releases.
  • Operation: After the project, our managed services can take over updates, monitoring and troubleshooting.
  • Training: We prepare your administrators for operation, in a hand-over session or a training course.

Moving from VMware?

Many of our projects start with a move away from VMware vSphere. Proxmox VE includes an import wizard for VMs on ESXi. A separate page explains how we plan such a migration and where its limits are.

Technical details

Current release
Proxmox VE 9.2, released 21 May 2026 (as of October 2026)
Base system
Debian 13 “Trixie”, Linux kernel 7.0, QEMU 11.0
Virtualisation
KVM/QEMU for Linux, Windows and BSD guests; LXC for Linux containers
Cluster
Corosync for quorum and configuration; nodes also need SSH (TCP port 22) between them. Proxmox recommends a dedicated network interface for cluster traffic
High availability
at least three nodes for reliable quorum, or two nodes plus a QDevice as third vote
Storage
local LVM or ZFS, Ceph (RBD and CephFS), NFS, SMB/CIFS, iSCSI and others
ESXi import
import wizard since Proxmox VE 8.2, still a technology preview; tested with ESXi 6.5 to 8.0 (Proxmox wiki)
Licence
GNU AGPLv3, no licence fees
Subscription
optional, per occupied CPU socket; gives access to the enterprise repository and, depending on level, support tickets with Proxmox (overview)

What is included

  • Hardware and network design for the cluster
  • Installation and configuration of the Proxmox VE nodes
  • Cluster, high availability, firewall and permission set-up
  • Storage integration: local ZFS, Ceph or your existing storage systems
  • Backup with Proxmox Backup Server
  • Documentation and handover to your team
  • Introduction for your administrators; in-depth training on request

Who it is for

Proxmox VE suits organisations that run their own servers and want to decide about their platform themselves. That covers a business with two or three hosts as well as a public body that wants less dependence on a single vendor. Linux skills in the team help, because Proxmox VE is Debian underneath.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Proxmox subscription?

No. Proxmox VE has the full feature set without one. A subscription gives access to the enterprise repository, which Proxmox recommends for production, and depending on the level, support from Proxmox itself.

How many servers do I need?

One server is enough to start. High availability needs three nodes, or two nodes plus a QDevice. With Ceph as shared storage, three nodes are the minimum.

Can I reuse my existing hardware?

Often, yes. On x86 servers Proxmox VE needs a 64-bit CPU with Intel VT or AMD-V. We check beforehand whether your RAID controller suits ZFS or Ceph.

You can buy Proxmox VE subscriptions in the inett shop.