Proxmox VE 9 Install From Scratch (Beginner Guide) ZFS, NFS Backups & Best Practices
In this video, I start from a clean slate and walk through a complete Proxmox VE installation, focusing on building a solid, beginner-friendly foundation that you can scale later.
We install Proxmox from scratch, apply updates, disable the subscription nag using the community script, configure ZFS storage, mount NFS storage from a NAS, and set up automatic backups, all before moving into advanced lab topics.
This video is designed for:
Home lab builders
Beginners new to Proxmox
Anyone rebuilding or cleaning up an existing Proxmox setup
My approach is simple: start small, understand the basics, then scale up.
🧰 What You’ll Learn
✔ Download and install Proxmox VE
✔ Prepare boot media correctly
✔ Initial login and web interface access
✔ Update Proxmox using the community repository
✔ Disable the Proxmox subscription nag (home lab use)
✔ Create a ZFS mirror pool
✔ Mount NFS storage from a NAS
✔ Configure automatic VM and container backups
✔ Quick overview of networking inside Proxmox
🔜 What’s Coming Next
In the next videos, we’ll build on this foundation by adding:
pfSense firewall
VLANs and network segmentation
Virtual machines and services
Full home lab architecture
⚠️ Note: This video focuses on a clean, stable base. Advanced networking and services are covered in upcoming videos.
If you found this helpful, consider subscribing and let me know in the comments what you’re building with Proxmox.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro – What We’ll Build in This Proxmox Setup
00:33 Download Proxmox ISO & Create Bootable USB
01:46 Proxmox Installation (Disk, Timezone, Network)
03:05 First Login to Proxmox Web Interface
03:41 Post-Install Updates & Community Helper Script
05:12 ZFS Storage Setup (Mirror + Compression)
07:32 Mount NFS Storage from Synology NAS
08:12 Configure Automatic Backups
08:49 Proxmox Network Overview (Management NIC)
09:20 Final Check & What’s Next