Installing Proxmox VE 8.3.0

By Aaron Colin. March 13, 2025.

This guide walks you through installing Proxmox VE on a Topton MiniPC/Firewall with 4x 2.5G LAN ports from start to first boot.

Here are some interesting topics in case you want to dive deeper into some of the considerations about this guide.

  • Why this guide
  • Everything about Proxmox
  • Pros and Cons of Virtualization
  • Reasons behind my hardware selection
  • Boot Drive Options EXT4 vs Btrfs vs ZFS

Prerequisites

  • A Topton MiniPC (or any miniPC with at leat 2 2.5G LAN Ports) with at least:

    • Intel CPU (e.g., N5105, N100, N150 or similar)
    • 8GB RAM (16GB Optional)
    • NVMe, SATA SSD, or both
    • 4x 2.5G LAN ports
    Topton Mini PC

  • USB flash drive (16GB or larger)

  • A separate computer to download and burn the Proxmox ISO

  • USB keyboard and monitor (for installation)

  • Optionally:

    • KVM to install remotely (no need for additional monitor)

Step 1: Download the Proxmox VE ISO

  1. Visit the Proxmox download page.
  2. Download the latest Proxmox VE ISO Installer.

Download Proxmox VE Download Proxmox VE

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive

Using Rufus (Windows)

  1. Download and install Rufus.
  2. Insert your USB flash drive.
  3. Select the Proxmox VE ISO.
  4. Set Partition scheme to GPT and File system to FAT32.
  5. Click Start to burn the ISO.

Step 3: Modify BIOS Settings

Entering BIOS

  1. Power on the Topton MiniPC and press DEL to enter BIOS.

Required BIOS Changes

Note

Make sure to change the time and date to prevent weird errors with Proxmox and VMs

  • Time and date: Set to correct time and date.

BIOS main screen BIOS main screen

  • Virtualization (VT-x/VT-d): Enabled.

BIOS-Advanced-CPU Configuration-Intel(VMX) Virtualization-Enabled BIOS-Advanced-CPU Configuration-Intel(VMX) Virtualization-Enabled

  • Restore After Power Loss: Power On

BIOS-Advanced-Hardware Monitor-Restore AC Power Loss-Power On BIOS-Advanced-Hardware Monitor-Restore AC Power Loss-Power On

  • Secure Boot: Disabled.

BIOS-Security-Secure Boot-Secure Boot-Disabled BIOS-Security-Secure Boot-Secure Boot-Disabled

  • Fast boot: Set to Enabled.
  • Full Logo Show: Set to Disabled
  • Boot Priority: Set to USB drive as the first boot device (change it later to your boot drive chosen during installation).

BIOS-Boot-Fast Boot-Enabled BIOS-Boot-Fast Boot-Enabled

  • Save changes and exit BIOS.

BIOS-Exit-Save changes and reset-Confirm-Yes BIOS-Exit-Save changes and reset-Confirm-Yes

Step 4: Install Proxmox VE

  1. Insert the bootable USB drive and restart the MiniPC.

  2. Select UEFI USB Boot from the boot menu (DEL).

  3. In the Proxmox installer menu, select Install Proxmox VE. Proxmox-Welcome install screen Proxmox-Welcome install screen

  4. Accept the EULA. Proxmox-Term of service-Agree Proxmox-Term of service-Agree

  5. Select the target disk (NVMe/SATA SSD), click on Options and enter 8 for the swapspace, click OK and then click Next. Proxmox-Boot drive-Options Proxmox-Boot drive-Options

  6. Choose your country, timezone, and keyboard layout. Proxmox-Locale settings Proxmox-Locale settings

  7. Set a root password and provide an valid email address. Proxmox-Root password and email Proxmox-Root password and email

  8. Configure network settings:

    • Choose the primary interface (e.g., enp2s0 this is where you will access Proxmox).
    • Set a static IP (e.g., 192.168.0.X or 10.0.0.X) Make sure that IP address is not being used by other devices.
    • Set gateway and DNS server. You can use any DNS server that you like, cloudflare (1.1.1.1 pretty fast), google (8.8.8.8), quad9 (9.9.9.9 more private but slightly slower).
    • Click Next and confirm settings. Proxmox-Network settings Proxmox-Network settings

  9. Review the summary and make sure all the Options are correct, then click Install to start the installation. Proxmox-Summary Proxmox-Summary

  10. After installation completes, remove the USB drive and reboot. Proxmox-Installation progress Proxmox-Installation progress Proxmox-Installation Complete Proxmox-Installation Complete

  11. Change boot drive in BIOS DEL from USB to where you installed Proxmox Proxmox-Change Boot drive Proxmox-Change Boot drive

  12. Exit and Save changes BIOS-Exit-Save changes and reset-Confirm-Yes BIOS-Exit-Save changes and reset-Confirm-Yes

Proxmox-Console Proxmox-Console

Step 5: First Boot & Web UI Access

  1. After reboot, log in with root and your set password.

  2. Find the Proxmox Web UI at:

    https://<your-proxmox-ip>:8006

    Proxmox-Initial login warning screen Proxmox-Initial login warning screen

  3. Log in with:

    • Username: root
    • Password: (your configured password) Proxmox-Initial Screen Login Proxmox-Initial Screen Login

  4. Dismiss the subscription warning.

You now have Proxmox VE installed and ready for configuration! Proxmox-Main screen Proxmox-Main screen

Next Steps

  • Add storage pools (ZFS, LVM, or directories).
  • Set up VMs or containers.
  • Configure networking for multi-interface setups.
  • Enable updates and repositories.

Now, enjoy your Proxmox-powered homelab!