PVE fresh install help please for a newbie

jimww333

New Member
Jun 10, 2023
1
0
1
Hi - Taking the Proxmox plunge very soon and dont want to make any bad initial decisions.

I have (2) unused Intel servers and my objectives are: Home server lab, Virtualization playground, Home Assistant, NFS using TrueNAS, DNS&Ad blocking, Windows VM testing. I currently have an all-Unifi Network with the servers connected to a 10G switch and would like to move my cameras' NVR off the UDM Pro router to TrueNAS.

Server 1: Unknown XeonSilver4210 2.2GHz 10/20cpu -256GB RAM (Mellanox 10G SFP+ NIC on order)
(1) 3.84TB Micron 5300 Pro enterprise SSD (500hrs)
(1) 2.0TB Samsung NVME SSD 990 Pro (new)

Server 2: Supermicro Xeon2123 2.2Ghz 4/8cpu -64GB RAM (native 10G SFP+ ports)
(2) 1.0TB Samsung 870EVO SSDs (new)
(2) 1.92TB Samsung PM883 enterprise SSDs (500hrs)
(1) 2.0TB Samsung NVME SSD 970 EVO+ (new)

1. So far, I dipped my toe into the water by installing PVE:
- SuperMicro server: to a Raid1 ZFS mirror using the (2) 1TB SSD drives
- Unknown higher end server: to a ZFS Raid0 using the single 3.84TB enterprise SSD
Is there a better way to setup the boot drives? All mirrors sounds best but I dont have the drive options on the better performance server.

2. How should I utilize the NVME SSD's? My guess so far is to use them for VM data and Containers, and then leverage ZFS replication between the 2 servers.

3. Should I install TrueNAS as a Proxmox VM or bare metal on the Supermicro?

4. Both Proxmox boot drives have a of of extra memory when I use the NVME's for VM data and Containers. Is there a partition approach for the boot drives which will help make their extra memory available for (something else?) ? Or put everything on the connected SSD's and use NVME differently?

5. As this is a Home lab, I don't have a need for HA, but an easy "backup" design is definitely desired. Is the NVME replicated a good idea? I am open to finding a 3rd server to setup a Proxmox cluster, but was thinking "1 step a time Jim".

Thank you very much for any ideas, suggestions and comments !!
Jim
 
If you want to setup a cluster for a homelab (for ha you will need a third node or a quorum device) with zfs replication i would not worry too much about only one disk on one side, you have got your replication.

I would use the biggest disk for a proxmox backup Server so you can restore if shit happens.
The pbs can be a vm or a lxc or you can install it to one of your hosts
 

About

The Proxmox community has been around for many years and offers help and support for Proxmox VE, Proxmox Backup Server, and Proxmox Mail Gateway.
We think our community is one of the best thanks to people like you!

Get your subscription!

The Proxmox team works very hard to make sure you are running the best software and getting stable updates and security enhancements, as well as quick enterprise support. Tens of thousands of happy customers have a Proxmox subscription. Get yours easily in our online shop.

Buy now!