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// VIRTUALIZATION | July 6, 2026 | 4 min read

Create an Ubuntu VM in Proxmox

Turn one dedicated server into many by running Ubuntu in its own Proxmox virtual machine.

Create an Ubuntu VM in Proxmox
H
Hanna Taoufik The Hostner team writes about servers, Linux, security, and everything that comes with running your own infrastructure, so you can skip the support ticket.
user@server:~
user@server ~ $ uptime && df -h / | tail -1
14:22:37 up 847 days, load: 0.08
/dev/sda1 1.8T 420G 1.3T 25% /
user@server ~ $ free -h
total used free
Mem: 32Gi 4.2Gi 27Gi
user@server ~ $

Here is how to create an Ubuntu VM in Proxmox on your Hostner dedicated server. Proxmox is a free, open source hypervisor. Once it runs on your server, you can split that one machine into several isolated virtual machines, each with their own OS, resources, and purpose. One VM for your web server, another for testing, another for whatever you want to try next. No extra hardware needed.

What you need

  • A Hostner dedicated server with Proxmox VE installed
  • An Ubuntu Server ISO file
  • The primary IP address of your server (find this in your Hostner dashboard)

Step 1: Open the Proxmox web interface

Open your browser and go to https://your-server-ip:8006. Use https, not http. Proxmox only works over a secure connection. Your browser may warn you that the certificate is not trusted. That is normal for a fresh install. Click through the warning to continue.

You will land on a login screen with the Proxmox logo. Log in with the root credentials from your Hostner dashboard.

Step 2: Upload the ISO

On the left side, you will see your node (your server’s name). Click the arrow next to it to expand the list. Click on “local” storage, then click the “ISO Images” tab in the main panel.

Click the “Upload” button. A window opens. Click “Select File”, pick the ISO you downloaded, then click “Upload”. Wait for the progress bar to reach 100%. Your ISO now shows up in the list.

Step 3: Create an Ubuntu VM in Proxmox

Click the “Create VM” button in the top right corner. A setup window opens with several tabs.

  • General tab: give the VM a name. Any name works, this is just for you to recognize it later.
  • OS tab: select “local” as storage, then pick the Ubuntu ISO you uploaded.
  • System tab: leave the defaults unless you know you need something specific.
  • Memory tab: set how much RAM this VM gets. Leave room for your other VMs and the host itself.
  • Network tab: leave the default bridge (usually vmbr0).

Click through each tab with “Next”, then click “Finish” on the confirmation screen. The VM now appears in the list on the left.

Step 4: Install the OS

Select your new VM in the list, then click “Start” at the top. Click the “Console” dropdown and select “noVNC”. A console window opens, showing the OS installer, exactly as if you had a monitor plugged into a physical machine.

Follow the installer’s steps like you would on any fresh install. If you see a warning about network configuration during install, ignore it. You will set up networking after the OS is installed.

Step 5: Set up networking

Once Ubuntu is installed and running, log into the VM through the console. Ubuntu uses Netplan for network configuration. Open the config file:

~ $ sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml

Set a static IP, matching the network details from your Hostner dashboard:

~ $ network: ~ $ version: 2 ~ $ ethernets: ~ $ ens18: ~ $ dhcp4: no ~ $ addresses: [YOUR_IP/24] ~ $ gateway4: YOUR_GATEWAY ~ $ nameservers: ~ $ addresses: [8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1]

Save the file and apply it:

~ $ sudo netplan apply

Step 6: Test the connection

From inside the VM, run:

~ $ ping google.com

A response means your VM is online. No response means the network setup in Step 5 needs another look.

If it does not work

Most connection issues come from the network bridge. Check that your VM’s network device is attached to the same bridge as your server’s main interface, and that the IP you assigned is correct and not already in use.

No ticket needed to spin up a new VM. It is your server, your hypervisor, your call. Now you know how to create an Ubuntu VM in Proxmox, the same steps apply if you want to add more VMs later, for other projects or other OS-es.

Also available for: Debian, AlmaLinux. See all guides in Docs.

H

Hanna Taoufik

The Hostner team writes about servers, Linux, security, and everything that comes with running your own infrastructure, so you can skip the support ticket.

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