Virtual Server Host Specification?

[enbiggen]

I'm looking for some guidance on specifying some requirements for a server to be used for hosting virtual images:

 

• We're very slowly migrating towards the cloud using Microsoft 365.
• We have multiple ageing servers, and we'd like a virtual host that we could migrate some of the servers across to, as needed. (Effectively keeping us in a holding pattern, and giving us some flexibility.)
• We'd like to use Proxmox VE for licensing costs, and experience of use.
• The existing servers collectively use 48GB of RAM, and 3TB of space.
• The existing servers perform jobs like Domain Controller, File Server, Print Server, Educational Applications Server and Installation Server.
• We wouldn't be using ZFS on Proxmox, so we'd want RAID.
• Ideally we'd be looking at something from HPE, as our other servers are HPE, and one is still under a direct HPE warranty, giving us access to the latest drivers, BIOS updates etc.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations, or major things I'm missing, before I start asking for quotes?

 

Thanks.

[dhicks]

14 minutes ago, enbiggen said:

• The existing servers collectively use 48GB of RAM, and 3TB of space.
• The existing servers perform jobs like Domain Controller, File Server, Print Server, Educational Applications Server and Installation Server.
• We wouldn't be using ZFS on Proxmox, so we'd want RAID.
• Ideally we'd be looking at something from HPE, as our other servers are HPE, and one is still under a direct HPE warranty, giving us access to the latest drivers, BIOS updates etc.

That's not a huge server by today's standards, I reckon you'd be fine with a second-hand HP server. Forum sponsers ICT Direct (@ICTDirect_Dave) would be the place to start - they can probably do you a two-year-old server complete with warrenty.

[PotNoodleTech]

Get a refurbished/used Dell Poweredge R740XD you can single or dual CPU 128 256 or 512 of ram and chock it full of 2.5" SSD drives.

[Davit2005]

1 hour ago, enbiggen said:

I'm looking for some guidance on specifying some requirements for a server to be used for hosting virtual images:

 

• We're very slowly migrating towards the cloud using Microsoft 365.
• We have multiple ageing servers, and we'd like a virtual host that we could migrate some of the servers across to, as needed. (Effectively keeping us in a holding pattern, and giving us some flexibility.)
• We'd like to use Proxmox VE for licensing costs, and experience of use.
• The existing servers collectively use 48GB of RAM, and 3TB of space.
• The existing servers perform jobs like Domain Controller, File Server, Print Server, Educational Applications Server and Installation Server.
• We wouldn't be using ZFS on Proxmox, so we'd want RAID.
• Ideally we'd be looking at something from HPE, as our other servers are HPE, and one is still under a direct HPE warranty, giving us access to the latest drivers, BIOS updates etc.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations, or major things I'm missing, before I start asking for quotes?

 

Thanks.

Personally I would not use raid and jus use ZFS. Reasons for one, compatibility if anything happens to the RAID card or a drive. Proxmox has built in backup so configure it to save to a isolated location or you can setup the ProxMox Backup server appliance. If you lose a host can then just restore from backup to any decent desktop/server. I run a 3 host proxmox at home, I did not bother with a quorom device and jus use 2 hosts as that jus got complicated, all you need do is install proxmox on a spare desktop even and it jus saves the pain of setting up a server jus to be a quorum. Then I jus run docker on a VM on proxmox rather than a container as I can jus setup a debian template with Docker and portainer already installed. I used to run VMWare but I find ProxMox jus a good if not better as it is jus Debian underneath. Plus you have backup built in and no need to run vCenter. Implementing the ProxMox firewall is something you want to do but be careful as to not lock yourself out in the process.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA9e7A9v7Xc

Edited May 12, 2025 by Davit2005