Proxmox for Your Homelab Server

Summary

The video presents Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE) as a way to turn a spare computer into a home server that runs virtual machines (VMs). The host can be anything from an unused laptop to an enterprise rack server: more powerful hardware can run more VMs, but the basic setup is the same. Proxmox is managed remotely through a browser, so the server can run headlessly.

The presenter’s initial projects are Nextcloud for self-hosted cloud services and the Hermes AI agent. The video also recommends installing Tailscale on the Proxmox host and its VMs for remote access.

Guides and Tutorials Covered

1. Prepare Installation Media

• Download the Proxmox PVE ISO and write it to a USB drive using a disk utility.
• The demonstration uses a Linux computer to prepare the drive.
• Proxmox requires a wired Ethernet connection; the presenter says it does not work over Wi-Fi. A laptop may need a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter.

2. Install Proxmox

• Boot from the USB installer, select the target disk, and configure the region, password, email, hostname, and network settings.
• The presenter recommends assigning the host a static IP address, such as one ending in .180, and checking that it does not conflict with the router’s DHCP range.
• For a laptop or NUC, configure the system to stay on when its lid is closed. The commands are not included in the subtitles.
• After installation, manage the host from another device by browsing to its IP address on port 8006.

3. Initial Proxmox Setup

• Add the no-subscription repository, disable the enterprise and Ceph repositories, and update Proxmox. The presenter says a subscription is unnecessary for home use.
• Install Tailscale on the Proxmox host using an installation script generated from the Tailscale admin page.

4. Create a Nextcloud VM

• Upload an Ubuntu Server ISO to Proxmox storage and use it to create a VM.
• During Ubuntu Server installation, select Nextcloud from the available server applications.
• After installation, remove the VM’s virtual CD-ROM so it boots from the installed system rather than the ISO.
• Enable SSH if command-line access is needed, and install Tailscale on the VM for remote access.
• The video demonstrates accessing Nextcloud from a browser using the VM’s network address.

5. Create a Hermes AI Agent VM

• Create another VM and install Hermes using its command-line installer.
• Setup requires an API key from a model provider. The presenter recommends a paid Ollama plan and demonstrates selecting Ollama, entering the API key, and choosing a model.
• Run Hermes in its terminal interface. Optionally, connect it to Telegram by creating a bot with BotFather and pairing it with Hermes.
• Install Tailscale on this VM as well. The presenter suggests asking Hermes for help with additional setup, including Home Assistant.

Key Concepts and Takeaways

• Proxmox is the hypervisor platform: it hosts and manages separate VMs, each of which can run server applications.
• Headless, remote administration is the intended workflow; the Proxmox machine generally does not need a local desktop interface.
• A wired network connection and a stable, static address are important parts of the host setup.
• Tailscale is presented as a way to access the host and VMs from outside the local network.
• The tutorial uses Nextcloud and Hermes as starter projects but does not explain how to use Nextcloud in depth.

Main speaker/source: The presenter on the Rob Braxman Tech Deep Dive channel.