How to Install Proxmox on Raspberry Pi 5

Proxmox VE, a popular open-source virtualization platform, has gained significant traction among users seeking to manage virtual machines and containers efficiently. However, its native support for ARM64 architecture, the architecture used in Raspberry Pi devices, has been lacking. This has led to various workarounds and community-driven projects aiming to bridge the gap.

This article delves into the process of installing Proxmox VE on a Raspberry Pi, focusing on the Proxmox-Port project, a promising solution that enables Proxmox on ARM64 systems. We will cover the essential steps required to set up a fully functional Proxmox environment on your Raspberry Pi.

Preparing the Ground: Setting Up Raspberry Pi OS

1. Installing Raspberry Pi OS Lite: We begin by installing the 64-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS Lite Bookworm. PiImager, the official Raspberry Pi imaging tool, makes this process straightforward. Download the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS Lite for 64-bit systems from the official website and use PiImager to flash it onto your SD card.

2. Assigning a Static IP: While dynamically assigning an IP address via DHCP from your router is feasible, for stability and consistency, it's recommended to set a static IP address for your Raspberry Pi. This ensures reliable network connectivity and prevents IP address changes, crucial for accessing Proxmox remotely.

3. Editing the Hosts File: To ensure smooth communication between Proxmox and your Raspberry Pi, we need to edit the hosts file on the Raspberry Pi. This file maps hostnames to IP addresses.

   • Open the hosts file using the nano editor: sudo nano /etc/hosts

   • Locate the line containing "127.0.0.1 raspberrypi".

   • Replace "127.0.0.1" with the static IP address assigned to your Raspberry Pi.

   • Save the changes (CTRL + X, Y, ENTER).

4. Verifying the Configuration: To confirm the changes are in effect, use the following command to display your Raspberry Pi's IP address: hostname --ip-address. If everything is configured correctly, the command should return the static IP you set.

Securing the Root User:

Proxmox VE relies on the "root" user for its web interface. For security reasons, it's vital to establish a strong password for the root user.

• Use this command to set a password: sudo passwd root

Introducing the Proxmox Ports Repository:

The Proxmox-Port project offers pre-compiled packages specifically designed for ARM64 systems. Adding this repository to your Raspberry Pi allows us to install Proxmox components tailored to the Raspberry Pi's architecture.

1. Importing the GPG Key: First, import the GPG key from the Proxmox Ports repository to verify the authenticity of the packages. Use the following command:
   curl -L https://mirrors.apqa.cn/proxmox/debian/pveport.gpg | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/pveport.gpg >/dev/null

2. Adding the Repository: Now, add the Proxmox Ports repository to your package sources list. Create a new file called "pveport.list" in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d directory and add the following line:
   echo "deb [arch=arm64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/pveport.gpg] https://mirrors.apqa.cn/proxmox/debian/pve bookworm port" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pveport.list

3. Updating the Package Cache: After adding the new repository, update the package cache to reflect the available packages: sudo apt update

The Installation Process:

With the necessary preparations in place, we are ready to install Proxmox VE on our Raspberry Pi.

1. Installing ifupdown2: Proxmox utilizes the "ifupdown2" package for network management. Install it using: sudo apt install ifupdown2

2. Installing Proxmox VE: Finally, execute the following command to install Proxmox VE and essential components:
   sudo apt install proxmox-ve postfix open-iscsi pve-edk2-firmware-aarch64

   This installation process might take several minutes. During the installation, you will be prompted for Postfix configuration. The Postfix package is required for email notifications and is responsible for managing the Proxmox mail server.

   • Choose "Local only" for the Postfix configuration, as this option provides the least complexity for a standalone installation.

   • Accept the default email address for Postfix, or specify a custom one if preferred.

Accessing the Proxmox Web Interface:

Once the installation completes, you will be able to access the Proxmox web interface.

1. Obtain the IP Address: Get your Raspberry Pi's IP address using the command: hostname -I

2. Launching the Web Interface: Open your web browser and navigate to the following address, replacing "<IPADDRESS>" with your Raspberry Pi's IP address:
   https://<IPADDRESS>:8006

3. Logging In: Use the "root" username and the password you set earlier to log in. Click "Login" to access the Proxmox dashboard.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Proxmox VE on your Raspberry Pi. You can now start creating virtual machines and containers within the user-friendly Proxmox web interface, transforming your Raspberry Pi into a versatile virtualization platform.

Troubleshooting:

If you encounter issues during the installation process, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Internet Connectivity: Ensure your Raspberry Pi has a stable internet connection throughout the installation.

• Package Dependencies: If any dependencies are missing, the installation might fail. Run sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade to update your package list and upgrade existing packages.

• Firewall: Temporarily disable your firewall to ensure smooth network communication during the installation.

• Log Files: Refer to the system log files for detailed error messages. These files can be found in /var/log.

Conclusion:

This guide has provided a detailed walkthrough of installing Proxmox VE on a Raspberry Pi using the Proxmox-Port project. By following these steps, you can harness the power of Proxmox for virtual machine and container management on your Raspberry Pi, unlocking a world of possibilities for home automation, development, and more. Remember to review the official documentation of the Proxmox-Port project for the latest updates and additional information.