Proxmox VE Cluster Node Recovery After Complete Server Failure

[pingtrace]

Dear all,

I have a 2-node Proxmox VE cluster:

• Server1 — working
• Server2 — failed

A replacement server is now ready. And I can still able to access failed server2 disk and read files under /etc/. I also have VM backups in .vma.zst format.

I would like to understand the correct recovery procedure.

My current assumption is:

1. Install Proxmox VE on the replacement server using the same Proxmox VE version as Server1.
2. Configure the replacement server with the same hostname and IP address as the failed Server2.
3. Should /etc/ be restored at all?
4. Or I need to restore some (if any) from the old /etc?
5. Or should the new server first be joined to the existing cluster and allow the cluster configuration to be synchronized automatically?
6. Restore the VMs from the .vma.zst backups.
7. Verify that the replacement Server2 is fully operational as a cluster node.

Are the steps above correct? If not, could you please advise on the correct recovery procedure and any steps I should change or add?

Thanks in advance for any advice.