Proxmox VE 5.2 with Cloud-Init and Let's Encrypt released

May 16, 2018

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VIENNA, Austria – May 16, 2018 – Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH, developer of the open-source virtualization platform Proxmox VE, today announced the general availability of version 5.2. Proxmox VE 5.2 comes with new features like the Cloud-init package for automation of VM provisioning, a CIFS/SMB storage plug-in, and the Let’s Encrypt certificate management via the graphical user interface. The Proxmox development team further expands the cluster functionality making the creation and configuration of Proxmox VE clusters possible via the web interface. The open-source virtualization management platform Proxmox VE 5.2 is based on Debian 9.4, and an updated and modified Linux Kernel 4.15.

Cloud-Init support for automating VM provisioning

Proxmox VE 5.2 now supports Cloud-Init, a multi-distribution package that handles initial setup of a virtual machine as it boots for the first time, and allows provisioning of VMs that have been deployed based on a template. With the Cloud-Init package Proxmox users can easily configure host names, add SSH keys, set up mount points or run post-install scripts via the graphical user interface. It also enables for example automation tools like Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Salt, and others to access pre-installed disk images and copy a new server from that.

SMB/CIFS Storage Plug-in

The flexible Proxmox VE storage model now integrates a SMB/CIFS storage plug-in manageable via the web interface. CIFS, as well as NFS, are the primary file systems used in network attached storage (NAS). CIFS is the "Common Internet File System" used by Windows operating systems for file sharing and it allows to connect to Windows file servers or other SMB-compatible servers with the SMB/CIFS backend.

Let’s Encrypt Certificate Management via GUI

With the new version 5.2 Proxmox users can now manage their Let’s Encrypt certificates via the Proxmox interface, easing the work of administrators significantly. Let’s Encrypt is an automated and open certificate authority (CA) providing free, digital certificates needed to enable secure HTTPS (SSL/TLS) for websites. Proxmox users already have been able to create Let’s Encrypt certificates since version 4.2, now they can issue and renew the certificates with two simple clicks via the web interface.

Proxmox VE 5.2 delivers numerous additive features for improved usability, scalability, and security including:

  • Creation of clusters via the graphical user interface. This feature makes creating and joining nodes to a Proxmox cluster extremely simple and intuitive even for novice users.
  • Expanded functionality of LXC: Creating templates or moving disks from one storage to another now also work for LXC. The move-disk function can be used for stopped/paused containers and instead of backup/restore.
  • If the QEMU guest agent is installed, the IP address of a virtual machine is displayed on the GUI
  • Administrators can now easily create and edit new roles via the GUI.
  • Setting I/O limits for restore operations is possible (globally or more fine-grained per storage) to avoid I/O load getting too high while restoring a backup.
  • Configuration of ebtables in the Proxmox VE Firewall.

Availability

Proxmox VE 5.2 is now available for download at https://www.proxmox.com/downloads. Proxmox VE is licensed under the free software license GNU Affero GPL, v3. Enterprise support is available from Proxmox Server Solutions on a subscription basis starting at EUR 74.90 per year and CPU.

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Facts
This April the Proxmox VE project has celebrated it’s 10th anniversary. Since its first release in 2008 Proxmox VE has grown into the open-source alternative on the market for server virtualization. Proxmox VE has over 200,000 host installations in 142 countries, more than 11,000 commercial subscribers, a huge community with 42,000 active members in the support forum, and the platform is translated into 19 languages.

About Proxmox Virtual Environment
Proxmox VE is the leading open-source platform for all-inclusive enterprise virtualization. With the central built-in web interface you can easily run VMs and containers, manage software-defined storage and networking functionality, high-availability clustering, and multiple integrated out-of-the-box tools like backup/restore, live migration, replication, and the firewall. Enterprises use the powerful yet easy-to-manage all-in-one solution Proxmox VE to meet the core requirements—less complexity, more elasticity— of today’s modern data centers ensuring to stay adaptable for future growth thanks to the flexible, modular and open architecture.

About Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH
Proxmox is a provider of powerful yet easy-to-use open-source server software. Enterprises regardless of size, sector or industry use the stable, secure, scalable, and open Proxmox solutions to deploy efficient, agile and simplified IT infrastructures, minimize total cost of ownership, and avoid vendor lock-in. Proxmox also offers commercial support and training to ensure business continuity to its customers. Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH was established in 2005 and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Contact: Daniela Häsler, Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH