I’m currently using a Windows machine as the “server” in my home lab, but I just ordered some new hardware and I’d like to change things up to add some more flexibility and capability.

Based on my research so far, my plan is to install Proxmox on the bare metal and use it to run any regular VMs I need. However, I am still trying to figure out what to do about containers.

I know Proxmox also, supports LXC containers, but based on everything I’ve read, I think I’d like to use something more “industry standard”. I was thinking Docker, but it sounds like Podman is lighter and more secure, so I am now leaning that direction. I plan on setting up an Ubuntu server VM in Proxmox and running Podman on that.

I’m thinking of running full blown VMs for more complex applications (Plex for example), but containers for simple applications (Pihole, ddclient, cloudflared, etc).

Does that all sound like a reasonable plan? Are there any obvious gotchas I might be missing? Any tips or resources you’d recommend for a first time user of Podman (and containers in general)?

I have been doing my own research and I think it’s going well but sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, so I’d value a second opinion.

I am pretty tech savvy, so I don’t mind learning new things. Windows has always been my primary platform, but I would like to branch out a bit and containers are starting to seem like a must for personal and professional growth. I’m pretty familiar with virtualization (mostly VMWare) but I’m new to containers.

Thanks in advance for taking a look and sharing any tips!

  • ShertsonM
    2•1 year ago

    Install Proxmox on bare metal, like you said.

    Then use a debian container (CT) for docker, not a VM. Me? I’d use Fedora for podman, but you could use any base Linux container. No need for the additional overhead of a full VM. This is what I do.

    • @joelslawOP
      1•1 year ago

      Oh, wow! I didn’t even realize you could do that (install a container engine in a container). I will have to check that out. Thanks for the tip!

      • Felix
        1•1 year ago

        It depends a bit on the filesystem that you are choosing for proxmox however. Afaik there are still problems with zfs as the host filesystem and docker in an lxc. the general recommendation is to use an extra virtual disk that is ext4 formatted for /var/lib/docker.

      • ShertsonM
        1•1 year ago

        Have you had a chance to try this out yet? If so, please add another post with your experience.