---
lastproofread: '2026-02-02'
---

(proxmox)=

# Running on Proxmox

Proxmox is an open-source platform for virtualization.

## Deploy VyOS from CLI with qcow2 image

1. Download the `.qcow2` image from <https://support.vyos.io/>.
   Official images are available to users with a valid subscription.

2. Copy the `.qcow2` image to a temporary directory on the Proxmox server.

3. The following commands assume VM ID `200` is unused and that the imported
   disk will be stored in a storage pool named `local-lvm`.

   ```none
   $ qm create 200 --name vyos --memory 4096 --net0 virtio,bridge=vmbr0
   $ qm importdisk 200 \
       /var/lib/vz/images/vyos-<version>-proxmox-amd64.qcow2 \
       local-lvm
   $ qm set 200 --virtio0 local-lvm:vm-200-disk-0
   $ qm set 200 --boot order=virtio0
   ```

4. When using a `qcow2` image on Proxmox, the system
   **does not include any preconfigured user accounts**.
   You must define a user account using **Cloud-Init** before the
   first boot. Otherwise, login access is not possible.

   Attach a Cloud-Init data source to the VM. For example, using
   `local-lvm` storage:

   ```bash
   $ qm set 200 --ide2 local-lvm:cloudinit
   ```

   Configure the Cloud-Init user data before the first boot. For key-based
   access, create the `vyos` user and import public SSH keys from a file on the
   Proxmox host:

   ```bash
   qm set 200 --ciuser vyos
   qm set 200 --sshkeys ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
   ```

   The `--sshkeys` argument expects a file containing one or more OpenSSH
   public keys.

   Alternatively, add a Cloud-Init drive using the Proxmox GUI:

   1. Open the VM and navigate to **Hardware**
   2. Click **Add** → **CloudInit Drive**
   3. Select a storage (for example, `local-lvm`)
   4. Click **Add**

   If using the GUI, set the same user and SSH public key values in the VM's
   **Cloud-Init** tab before starting it.

5. Start the virtual machine using the Proxmox GUI or by running `qm start 200`.

## Deploy VyOS from CLI with rolling release ISO

1. Download the rolling release ISO from
   <https://vyos.net/get/nightly-builds/>.
2. Prepare the VM for ISO installation.
   The commands below assume that the ISO image is available in the
   `local` storage, a VM ID `200` is unused, and a 15GB disk will be
   created on storage pool `local-lvm`.

```none
qm create 200 --name vyos --memory 4096 \
--net0 virtio,bridge=vmbr0 \
--scsihw virtio-scsi-pci \
--scsi0 local-lvm:15 \
--ide2 local:iso/vyos-<version>.iso,media=cdrom \
--boot order=ide2
```

3. Start the VM using `qm start 200` or by clicking the **Start**
   button in the Proxmox GUI.
4. In the Proxmox GUI, open the virtual console for your new VM.
   The login username and password are `vyos`/`vyos`.
5. After booting into the live system, type `install image` and follow
   the prompts to install VyOS to the virtual drive.
6. After installation completes, remove the installation ISO using the
   GUI or run `qm set 200 --ide2 none`, then set the boot device
   with `qm set 200 --boot order=scsi0`.
7. Reboot the virtual machine using the GUI or run `qm reboot 200`.

For more information about downloading and installing Proxmox, visit
<https://www.proxmox.com/en/>.