NOTE: This is a helpful exercise to test or debug ProxMox VE but is not recommended for production use.
Things You Will Need
- A USB flash drive, at least 8 GB https://amzn.to/3wkR5ju | https://amzn.to/3qkrJ1p | https://amzn.to/3Nhu9b9
Installing ProxMox VE on USB Flash Drive
- Download the Proxmox VE .iso file Download
- Download Virtualbox and Virtualbox Extension Pack Download
- Install Virtualbox
- Install the Virtualbox Extension Pack
- Plug the target USB flash drive into the host PC
- Launch Virtualbox
- 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 - Click Create
- Select the VM and Click Settings
- Select Display
- Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
- Select Network
- Set the attached to dropdown to Bridged Adapter
- Select Storage
- Click on the CD-ROM drive
- Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
- Browse to and select the downloaded ProxMox VE .iso file
- Select USB
- Click the Add USB device icon (second icon from the top on the far right)
- Select the target USB flash drive to attach to the VM
- Click OK
- Make sure the LiveISO VM is selected and click Start > Normal
- Select Install Proxmox VE and press Enter
- Click the I agree button to accept the EULA
- Select the USB disk as the Target Harddisk from the dropdown > Click Next
- Set the Country, Time zone and Keyboard Layout > Click Next
- Enter a password and confirm, Enter an email address > Click Next
- Give the Proxmox device a hostname, confirm the network settings > Click Next
- Click the Install button
- Wait for Proxmox to be installed and configured
- After the installation succeeds, power down the VM
- That's it, the USB flash drive is now a quick and portable ProxMox VE installation