Creating a Proxmox VE Cluster

Overview

Forming a Proxmox VE cluster allows you to manage multiple nodes under one interface, enabling advanced features like High Availability (HA) and centralized resource management. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to create and join nodes to a Proxmox cluster.

Step 1: Prepare Each Node

  • Log in to every Proxmox node you intend to include in the cluster (via the web interface or SSH).
  • Verify that each node has a valid hostname, IP address, and consistent network configuration.
  • It is often advisable to place cluster communication on a dedicated VLAN or network segment for reliability and security.

Step 2: Create the Cluster on the First Node

Select the Initial Node

Log in to the node you want to designate as the primary or initial cluster node.

In the Proxmox web interface, go to: Datacenter → Cluster

Click “Create Cluster”

  • Name: Provide a descriptive name for your cluster (e.g., “Prod-Cluster” or “Lab-Cluster”).
  • Network: Select the network interface over which cluster communication will occur.
  • Tip: Using a dedicated VLAN for cluster traffic can help isolate management operations and reduce network congestion.

Confirm and Finish

After providing the necessary details, click Create to initialize the cluster setup. Proxmox will configure the primary node as the cluster’s first member.

Step 3: Retrieve Cluster Join Information

Select the Cluster

Once the cluster is created, you will see it listed under the Datacenter view.

Click “Join Information”

In the “Cluster” window, select your cluster name, then click Join Information. A dialog box will appear containing the command/URL needed to connect additional nodes.

Copy the Join Information

Use the Copy Information button to save the cluster token, fingerprint, and IP details to your clipboard. This information will be pasted on other nodes to join them to the cluster.

Step 4: Join Additional Nodes

Access the Second Node

Log in to another Proxmox node that you wish to add to the newly formed cluster.

Go to the Cluster Section

Datacenter → Cluster

Click “Join Cluster”

A prompt will appear asking you to provide the details necessary to join an existing cluster.

Paste the Cluster Information

Paste the token and fingerprint information into the fields. You will also be prompted for the administrative password of the cluster’s primary node (the one you created the cluster on).

Complete the Joining Process

Confirm the details and click Join. If everything is correct, the node will join the cluster. Repeat this process for every additional node.

Best Practices & Tips

  • Dedicated Network: Placing cluster communication on a dedicated VLAN or network can prevent traffic congestion and improve cluster stability.
  • Hostname Consistency: Ensure each node has a resolvable hostname (DNS or /etc/hosts). Mismatched or duplicate hostnames can lead to cluster confusion.
  • Network Latency: Clusters rely on consistent, low-latency connections. Test your network performance if you encounter unexpected issues.
  • Security: Limit or firewall off external access to cluster ports to protect against unauthorized joins.

Conclusion

Creating a Proxmox VE cluster is straightforward but requires attention to network configuration, node accessibility, and proper credential management. With a cluster in place, you can take advantage of centralized management, resource pooling, live migration, and HA. By isolating cluster communication on a dedicated VLAN, ensuring proper DNS/hostname settings, and securely storing your join credentials, you’ll set a solid foundation for a reliable and scalable Proxmox environment.

Next Steps

  • Explore High Availability (HA) configurations by adding failover for critical virtual machines.
  • Set up shared storage (e.g., NFS, iSCSI, or Ceph) to enable live migration and more advanced features.
  • Create a backup strategy using Proxmox Backup for resilience and disaster recovery.

For more information and troubleshooting, consult the official Proxmox Documentation or community forums.