🔰 Introduction
After understanding how Proxmox VE works, it becomes clear that this open-source virtualization platform is not only stable and feature-rich,
but also a strong and practical alternative to VMware, especially after Broadcom’s license model changes.
This article introduces the latest Proxmox VE Community Edition (version 9.0.10) —
including its release details, installation process, and initial configuration steps for new deployments.
🧩 1. What Is the Community Edition?
Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment) is distributed under two repository types:
- Enterprise Edition – Requires a paid subscription; provides stable update channels and official support.
- Community / No-Subscription Edition – Free to use with the same functionality, but uses a faster-moving repository that may contain newer packages.
✅ For small-to-medium environments, labs, or cost-sensitive deployments, the Community Edition is stable and fully capable for production use.
🧭 2. Latest Version Information (as of October 2025)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Version | Proxmox VE 9.0.10 |
| Kernel | Linux 6.9 |
| Base OS | Debian 13 “Trixie” |
| Key Features | • Updated ZFS 2.3 • Enhanced Ceph Reef integration • LXC 6.0 support (cgroup v2) • Improved Web UI performance and security • Better integration with Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) |
| Download URL | https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads |
| ISO Example | proxmox-ve_9.0-10.iso |
⚙️ 3. Installation Requirements
System Requirements
| Component | Recommended Spec |
|---|---|
| CPU | x86_64 processor with VT-x or AMD-V support |
| Memory | Minimum 8 GB (RAM), 16 GB or more recommended |
| Storage | ≥ 64 GB system disk (SSD preferred for ZFS) |
| Network | At least one physical NIC (1 Gbps or higher) |
Typical Use Cases
- Single-node setup – for testing or small deployments
- Multi-node cluster – for HA and shared resource management
- Installation can be performed locally or via remote console (IPMI, iDRAC, iLO)
🧰 4. Installation Steps
Step 1 – Download the Installer ISO
Go to: https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads
Download Proxmox VE 9.0 Installer ISO.
Step 2 – Create Bootable Media
Use any of these tools to write the ISO to a USB drive:
- Rufus (Windows)
- balenaEtcher (macOS/Linux/Windows)
Or via Linux CLI:
sudo dd if=proxmox-ve_9.0-10.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
sync
Step 3 – Install Proxmox VE
- Boot from the USB drive.
- Choose Install Proxmox VE (Graphical).
- Follow the setup wizard to configure:
- Target disk (ZFS RAID recommended)
- Timezone and keyboard layout
- Root password and email address
- Network settings (Hostname, IP, Gateway, DNS)
After installation, the console will show the login URL, for example:
https://192.168.10.10:8006/
Step 4 – Access the Web Interface
Open a browser and visit the URL shown.
Login with:
- User:
root - Password: (your installation password)
You’ll be greeted with the Proxmox VE dashboard.
🧩 5. Switching to the Community Repository
By default, Proxmox enables the Enterprise Repository, which requires a subscription.
To use the Community (No-Subscription) Repository, update your sources list.
Commands:
rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-enterprise.list
echo "deb http://download.proxmox.com/debian/pve trixie pve-no-subscription" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pve-no-subscription.list
apt update && apt full-upgrade -y
⚙️ 6. Recommended Initial Configuration
- Create a Storage Pool (ZFS, Directory, NFS, or Ceph)
- Configure Bridge Networking (vmbr0) for VM/CT access
- Create Your First VM by uploading and mounting an OS ISO
- Set Up Backup Targets (e.g., Proxmox Backup Server for snapshot-based backups)
🧠 7. Highlights of Proxmox VE 9.0.10
- Linux Kernel 6.9 with support for Intel Xeon 6 and AMD Zen 5
- New ZFS 2.3 backend (≈ 15% I/O performance improvement)
- LXC 6.0 with systemd cgroup v2 support
- Faster, more secure Web UI using modern WebSocket architecture
- Enhanced Ceph Reef and PBS integration
- Secure Boot support available during installation
✅ Conclusion
The release of Proxmox VE 9.0.10 demonstrates how far the community edition has matured.
With a modern kernel, updated ZFS, refined Web UI, and built-in cluster and backup tools,
it now rivals proprietary platforms in both functionality and stability.
For organizations seeking to reduce VMware costs and move toward open and self-managed virtualization,
Proxmox VE offers a balanced blend of reliability, flexibility, and freedom.
💬 In the next article, we’ll cover “Building a Proxmox Cluster and High Availability (HA) Environment”,
showing how to scale from a single node to a fully redundant infrastructure.