Create a Bootable ProxMox VE USB Flash Drive for Testing 🌱

NOTE: This is a helpful exercise to test or debug ProxMox VE but is not recommended for production use.

Things You Will Need

Installing ProxMox VE on USB Flash Drive

  1. Download the Proxmox VE .iso file Download
  2. Download Virtualbox and Virtualbox Extension Pack Download
  3. Install Virtualbox
  4. Install the Virtualbox Extension Pack
  5. Plug the target USB flash drive into the host PC
  6. Launch Virtualbox
  7. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

    Name: LiveISO
    Machine Folder: C:\VMs
    Type: Linux
    Version: Debian (64-bit)
    Memory Size: 2048 MB
    Hard disk: Do not add a virtual hard disk

  8. Click Create
  9. Select the VM and Click Settings
  10. Select Display
  11. Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
  12. Select Network
  13. Set the attached to dropdown to Bridged Adapter
  14. Select Storage
  15. Click on the CD-ROM drive
  16. Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
  17. Browse to and select the downloaded ProxMox VE .iso file
  18. Select USB
  19. Click the Add USB device icon (second icon from the top on the far right)
  20. Select the target USB flash drive to attach to the VM
  21. Click OK
  22. Make sure the LiveISO VM is selected and click Start > Normal
  23. Select Install Proxmox VE and press Enter
  24. Click the I agree button to accept the EULA
  25. Select the USB disk as the Target Harddisk from the dropdown > Click Next
  26. Set the Country, Time zone and Keyboard Layout > Click Next
  27. Enter a password and confirm, Enter an email address > Click Next
  28. Give the Proxmox device a hostname, confirm the network settings > Click Next
  29. Click the Install button
  30. Wait for Proxmox to be installed and configured
  31. After the installation succeeds, power down the VM
  32. That's it, the USB flash drive is now a quick and portable ProxMox VE installation