Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) is an open-source server virtualization platform based on Debian Linux. It allows users to deploy and manage virtual machines (VMs) and containers within a single integrated solution. Proxmox VE combines two powerful virtualization technologies, namely Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) for full virtualization and Linux Containers (LXC) for lightweight virtualization.
Proxmox VE is predominantly used on bare-metal hardware for best performance. This is especially on production environments. However, since it is based on Debian, it can be installed on top of Debian, this is sometimes done to facilitate the use of custom partitions, see: Install Proxmox VE on Debian 12 Bookworm - Proxmox VE.
Proxmox also offer Proxmox Backup Server and Proxmox Mail Gateway.
Information on the history of Proxmox can be found on, Proxmox Virtual Environment - Wikipedia.
Yes, Proxmox VE is a Type 1 hypervisor. Other type-1 hypervisors include XenServer and VMware ESXi / vSphere.
You can find the hardware requirements for Proxmox VE, here: Hardware Requirements - Proxmox Virtual Environment.
Several case studies and reference customers are detailed on the Proxmox website, see: Success Stories from Proxmox customers & users.
Enlyft’s website carries some information on the demographics of Proxmox VE customers, see: Companies using Proxmox VE and its marketshare (enlyft.com).
Information on how to migrate VMs to Proxmox VE is available, here: Migrate to Proxmox VE - Proxmox VE. Note this article was written primarily to aid those looking to migrate from VMware ESXi to Proxmox.
For further information on Proxmox, see: What is Proxmox Hypervisor? (eginnovations.com) and for details on how eG Enterprise can be used to monitor Proxmox, please see: How to Monitor Proxmox Hypervisor Using eG Enterprise? (eginnovations.com).
In the second half of this article, Top Open-source IT Monitoring Tools | eG Innovations, the author comprehensively covers some of the challenges and considerations organizations must face if choosing to adopt open-source software and technologies. Whilst there are many benefits there are some specific challenges especially around support and data protection that organizations must address and plan for.
Enterprise support contracts are available for Proxmox VE but may vary from the form of support offered via commercial virtualization vendors, see Pricing for Subscriptions Plans - Proxmox Virtual Environment. Proxmox also work with a number of partners to support those who would prefer the support of those experienced with the platform, see: Partner Ecosystem - Proxmox.
In 2024 changes in licensing associated with Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware and the subsequent restructuring and divestment of the EUC (End User Computing) division led many to investigate the viability of Proxmox as an alternative to VMware ESXi. We detailed some information and links to the debate occurring, here: Will Broadcom’s plans for VMware affect you? | eG Innovations.
Other third-party sites have explored this question, for example:
