This guide installs a new Proxmox VE node, completes the first web login, joins an existing cluster, and switches the node to the no-subscription repositories.
Create the installation USB#
Download the Proxmox VE ISO from https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads/proxmox-virtual-environment/iso and write it to a USB stick with Rufus. When Rufus asks for the image mode, choose DD Image mode rather than ISO mode.
Install Proxmox VE#
Boot the target machine from that USB and keep ethernet connected so the installer can detect the network. Enter your email when prompted, set the hostname (for example pve-01.local), and confirm that the IP matches the address you reserved for this node; the installer usually detects it correctly. On a laptop, leave the lid open so the machine does not sleep mid-install. Finish the installer and reboot into Proxmox VE.
First login to the web interface#
From another machine on the same network, open:
https://<proxmox-ip>:8006Log in as root with realm Linux PAM standard authentication and the password you set in the installer. Acknowledge the first-run warning (subscription or no valid cluster) and continue.
Join the node to an existing cluster#
On the new node, open a shell in the web UI or over SSH and join the cluster:
pvecm add CLUSTER_IPReplace CLUSTER_IP with the address of any existing Proxmox node. Follow the prompts, then confirm membership:
pvecm statusAllow Synology NFS access#
Add this node’s IP to the Synology NFS permissions so it can use synology-nfs storage. In DSM, open Control Panel → Shared Folder, edit the folder that holds Proxmox VMs (for example proxmox-vm), and include the new node’s address in the NFS ACL.
For Immich application shares (NFSv3, squash, and ACL expectations), see Immich, Synology NFS permissions.
Add the node to the HA group#
In the Proxmox web UI, open Datacenter → HA → Groups, edit the existing HA group, and add the new node. Save so the node can participate in high availability.
Change the root password#
After the node is joined and reachable, open a shell on the node and run:
passwdEnter and confirm the new root password, then store it in your password manager.
Proxmox VE no-subscription repository setup#
Proxmox VE enables enterprise repositories by default. Without a subscription, apt-get update returns 401 Unauthorized. Point the node at the no-subscription repositories by editing the two files below. Replace trixie with your Debian codename:
lsb_release -cs/etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-enterprise.sources#
# /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-enterprise.sources
Types: deb
URIs: http://download.proxmox.com/debian/pve
Suites: trixie
Components: pve-no-subscription
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/proxmox-archive-keyring.gpg/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ceph.sources#
# /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ceph.sources
Types: deb
URIs: http://download.proxmox.com/debian/ceph-squid
Suites: trixie
Components: no-subscription
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/proxmox-archive-keyring.gpgAfter saving both files, refresh package lists and apply updates:
apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade