Proxmox VE, the popular open source virtualization platform, received a significant update on April 24, 2024 with the release of version 8.2. This exciting new release offers a wealth of features designed to streamline VM management, increase security, and improve the overall user experience. Let’s dive into the highlights!
Proxmox VE 8.2 New features
The following features are introduced in Proxmox VE 8.2:
Automated and unattended installation
Proxmox VE 8.2 introduces support for automated and unattended installation. With this new version you can easily change the default ISO using their tool. The resulting automated installation ISO retrieves all required settings from an answer file. This answer file can be provided in three ways:
- Embedded in the ISO,
- Placed on a separate USB drive or
- Access via the network.
Automated installation is particularly useful in various scenarios, such as:
- Provision of large-scale infrastructure,
- Automating the setup process and
- Ensuring consistent configurations across multiple systems.
Improved import wizard for VMware ESXi VMs
Proxmox VE 8.2 introduced a new import wizard for VMware ESXi virtual machines. To connect to the VMware ESXi host, you can mount the host as new Proxmox storage. Once connected, you can see all VMware virtual machines (VMs) that can be imported into ESXi storage.
Modernized firewall implementation
The firewall implementation in Proxmox VE has been modernized in version 8.2. The new implementation is based on nftables and written in Rust. It is intended to replace the current iptables-based firewall in future Proxmox VE releases.
The nftables firewall is currently being deployed as an experimental feature to collect feedback from the community. It is a per-host firewall setting that must be enabled manually until its functionality matches the current implementation.
LXC device passthrough in Proxmox VE 8.2
Proxmox VE 8.2 introduces LXC device passthrough, allowing you to configure host device passthrough for containers directly in the UI. This feature provides more flexibility and control when working with containers.
Advanced settings for backup jobs
Backup jobs in Proxmox VE now have new advanced settings. These settings include performance settings and bandwidth limits, allowing you to tailor your backup processes to your specific needs.
Support for custom ACME-enabled CAs
In version 8.2, Proxmox VE adds support for custom ACME-enabled certificate authorities. You can now use external account binding (EAB) for optional authentication with these certificate authorities. This extension provides more flexibility and options for securing your Proxmox VE environment.
UI changes in Proxmox VE 8.2
Proxmox VE 8.2 brings small but impactful UI changes in several areas. In the notes field, the double-click editing option has been disabled. This change allows you to easily select and copy text without accidentally opening Notepad. However, you can still enable the old behavior if necessary.
The reset button has been repositioned on editing screens to reduce the risk of accidental clicks. The aim of this change is to improve the user experience and prevent unintentional changes.
Underlying technologies
Proxmox VE 8.2 is based on the latest Debian 12.5, codenamed Bookworm. It combines leading open source technologies for virtual environments, including a modern Linux kernel 6.8, Ceph 18.2, QEMU 8.1 and Open ZFS 2.2. These technologies ensure a stable and efficient virtualization platform for your infrastructure.
Diploma
Proxmox VE 8.2 introduces several new features and improvements to improve your virtual environment. Automated and unattended installation streamlines the setup process, while the improved import wizard makes migrating VMware ESXi virtual machines easier. Modernized firewall implementation and LXC device passthrough provide greater control and flexibility in managing your containers. Additionally, advanced backup job settings and support for custom ACME-enabled certificate authorities improve security and customization options in Proxmox VE. With small but impactful changes to the user interface and underlying technologies, Proxmox VE 8.2 provides a reliable and efficient virtualization platform for your infrastructure.
We encourage you to explore the new features and give us your feedback. Your contribution will help us continue to refine and improve Proxmox VE and ensure it meets the evolving needs of your virtual environment.
Ready to dive in? Download Proxmox VE 8.2 ISO image, which contains full functionality and can be easily installed on bare metal servers.