I see some of you are using PROXMOX and a couple of you were looking into migrating away from PROXMOX.

I just picked up a used Dell R730xd with 14 of 24 1.2TB drives. RAID60. 128GB RAM.

I have older Dell servers : 1 running my old vmWARE for my BBS, and another running a licensed Server 2012R2 instance. Server will cost way too much to modernize, and vmWARE is no longer 'freeware' and my licensing no longer allows me to upgrade since the software was sold years ago.

I am looking at PROXMOX and was wondering how others like it. I tried TrueNAS, but for some reason the VMs wouldn't work.

Thoughts?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Files 4 Fun BBS (21:2/120)

On 13 Jun 2025, SirRonmit said the following...

I see some of you are using PROXMOX and a couple of you were looking into migrating away from PROXMOX.

I just picked up a used Dell R730xd with 14 of 24 1.2TB drives. RAID60. 128GB RAM.

I just moved from ESXi to Proxmox. I had a couple of hiccups along the way, mostly to do with the hardware I'm running it on (Intel NUC). I would imagine your Dell R730xd would fare quite well with Proxmox.

I have older Dell servers : 1 running my old vmWARE for my BBS, and another running a licensed Server 2012R2 instance.

The cool thing with Proxmox, if you have it running at the same time as ESXi you can directly import your VMWare VMs over to Proxmox.

Overall, quite happy with it. As Paulie pointed out to me, if you don't have a paid subscription, you can run the "post install" script to disable the enterprise repo:

https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=post-pve-install


Jay

... As a matter of fact, it IS a banana in my pocket!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Northern Realms (21:3/110)

The cool thing with Proxmox, if you have it running at the same time as ESXi you can directly import your VMWare VMs over to Proxmox.

I seriously just found that out on accident. I was like ESXi -- "not found" so I was like, ok, and entered my server (which houses my BBS here) and BAM! I was then able to 'copy' over but of course, hardware being different gave me hiccups .. but it was very neat indeed!

Thanks for the link, I'll run that as well !

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Files 4 Fun BBS (21:2/120)

I just picked up a used Dell R730xd with 14 of 24 1.2TB drives. RAID60. 128GB RAM.

I am looking at PROXMOX and was wondering how others like it. I tried TrueNAS, but for some reason the VMs wouldn't work.

I have a r730xd (and a r320 + r330) and run Proxmox on all three. Its a perfect solution IMO and runs really well on the r730xd.

I suggest buying an iDrac license on eBay - only like $20... and you get full BMC management dashboard... its really helpful IMO.

You can get cheap memory, if needed, from cloudninjas.com and HDDs from serverpartdeals.com - all on the cheap. Cloud Ninjas also often has other hardware for the Dell Poweredge platform.

The r730xd is a powerhouse for my needs - and is my main PVE Node; I run a Proxmox cluster w/ my 3 servers...

It can do it all - hardware PCIe passthrough of my RAID card on the r320 - for a TrueNAS SCALE NAS; and I run all my production VM/CTs on the other systems...

I really like the r730 models and think they have a lot of life in them. It sips a bit more power than the 1U Poweredges, but has dual CPUs and more upgrade paths too...



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paulie420 wrote to SirRonmit <=-

I suggest buying an iDrac license on eBay - only like $20... and you
get full BMC management dashboard... its really helpful IMO.

Totally saved my ass on several occasions when I could remotely reboot
servers. Well worth it.



--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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I suggest buying an iDrac license on eBay - only like $20... and you get full BMC management dashboard... its really helpful IMO.

Totally saved my ass on several occasions when I could remotely reboot servers. Well worth it.

I forget the exact iDrac version #s, but I was surprised when an iDrac 8 license was more than an iDrac 9 license... cheaper on the r730/r330 than the r320...

While the r320 is an older generation server, the r330 was 'downgraded' in many ways - the CPUs have less threads, and it can only take 64GB RAM - where the r320 can take up to 192GB...



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perfect solution IMO and runs really well on the r730xd.

It looks like it doesn't like WIN7 32- very much. I was able to pull from my older vmWARE and mess with it, but can only install 64-bit .. I haven't researched anything.

I suggest buying an iDrac license on eBay - only like $20... and you get full BMC management dashboard... its really helpful IMO.

All my DELLs have Enterprise iDACS -- only way to go. The HP I grabbed last summer didn't and although I liked some things the HP server did, I'll stick with Dell servers. Especially for the iDRAC items.

I'm barely even touching the 128G RAM, but I'm sure it will start becoming an impact once I get more VMs going.

Thanks for your inputs!!!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Files 4 Fun BBS (21:2/120)

perfect solution IMO and runs really well on the r730xd.

It looks like it doesn't like WIN7 32- very much. I was able to pull
from my older vmWARE and mess with it, but can only install 64-bit .. I haven't researched anything.

IMO these servers work best with a hypervisor as their main OS. I use Proxmox, which is similar to VMWares ESXi or XCP-ng... from Proxmox, you can install dozens of VMs and CTs (containers) that WILL run any OS needed - like WIN7 32bit. Virtualization for everything, baby. For most homelabbers, I think running a hypervisor as the main server software is a smart choice - as I use my servers to run many things on my local network;

BBS, TrueNAS SCALE, websites, docker/portainer, Haiku, crypto box, sbbs, macOS, CommodoreOS, OpenMandriva, PiVPN, etc etc...

All my DELLs have Enterprise iDACS -- only way to go. The HP I grabbed last summer didn't and although I liked some things the HP server did, I'll stick with Dell servers. Especially for the iDRAC items.

My first server was a Dell Poweredge and I was really impressed - I've went will Dell for all my servers and even my big switch.

I'm barely even touching the 128G RAM, but I'm sure it will start
becoming an impact once I get more VMs going.

I found that RAM and CPU upgrades were pretty affordable on both the rx20 and even rx30 generations... a bit more on the rx30's w/ DDR4 - but the CPUs are still affordable. :P

Glad yer getting started, lemme know where you land - I'd highly suggest checking out Proxmox.



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--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

paulie420 wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

While the r320 is an older generation server, the r330 was 'downgraded'
in many ways - the CPUs have less threads, and it can only take 64GB
RAM - where the r320 can take up to 192GB...

Fortune has smiled upon me, promotion at work, a raise... I might need
to finally invest in a proper server space and get some of the hardware
I have in my office out of earshot.

2 years ago, I passed on a D430, 2 D610s and 2 R720XDs I could have had
my pick of, gratis - the first 3 with at least 128 GB of RAM and a
mixture of SSD and SAS, the 720s with 192 GB RAM and full of SAS drives.
No where to run them, though.

I may be upgrading an HP DL380 in the near future, though...




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Fortune has smiled upon me, promotion at work, a raise... I might need
to finally invest in a proper server space and get some of the hardware
I have in my office out of earshot.

Awesome news, pF!! Good stuff...

2 years ago, I passed on a D430, 2 D610s and 2 R720XDs I could have had
my pick of, gratis - the first 3 with at least 128 GB of RAM and a
mixture of SSD and SAS, the 720s with 192 GB RAM and full of SAS drives. No where to run them, though.

I really love the Poweredge platform - IMO, I only suggest rX20 gens for a NAS server - rX30 gens have a bit more oomph IMO.

That being said, note that the r330 can only accept 64GB RAM - which is just really odd IMO. The r730 series, whether standard or xd, are REALLY nice. Bump up to two Xeon CPUs and either 768GB (RDIMM) or flipping 1.5TB (LRDIMM) of RAM.

I know StingRay, and a couple others, who run HPE stuff and are happy with them... I just think I'll always stick with Poweredge boxes.

I may be upgrading an HP DL380 in the near future, though...

Yea - I think thats the exact model StingRay has... x2.



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--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
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paulie420 wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

I may be upgrading an HP DL380 in the near future, though...

Yea - I think thats the exact model StingRay has... x2.

These are Gen 8 models, I may look at Proxmox when the VMWare contract
is up...finally get a chance to try out their support.

Most everything is in the cloud now except for a jump server, print
server and a couple of utility VMs, why not?


--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Hey poindexter!

On Thu, Jun 19 2025 09:21:50 -0500, you wrote:

These are Gen 8 models, I may look at Proxmox when the VMWare contract
is up...finally get a chance to try out their support.

You have an actual contract with VMWare? Here I thought all us old sysops that still ran VMWare were running old, discontinued, free versions. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
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Hello Accession!

19 Jun 25 16:54, you wrote to poindexter FORTRAN:

These are Gen 8 models, I may look at Proxmox when the VMWare
contract is up...finally get a chance to try out their support.

You have an actual contract with VMWare? Here I thought all us old
sysops that still ran VMWare were running old, discontinued, free versions. ;)

Before the current sh*t show, it was possible to run the latest version for free.

But with ESXi being so stable, why fix something that's working. #-)


Vorlon


--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240302
* Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- dragon.vk3heg.net -:--- Prt: 6800 (21:1/195)

Accession wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

You have an actual contract with VMWare? Here I thought all us old
sysops that still ran VMWare were running old, discontinued, free versions. ;)

Yes - this is my work stack, not my homelab.



--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Hey Vorlon!

On Thu, Jun 19 2025 19:49:54 -0500, you wrote:

You have an actual contract with VMWare? Here I thought all us old
sysops that still ran VMWare were running old, discontinued, free
versions. ;)

Before the current sh*t show, it was possible to run the latest version for free.

I know. I'm still running 6.5.0 build 5969303. But I never had a "contract" or any kind of support, since I never purchased anything from them. The OP seemed to have some kind of support that was running out at some point, which is why I replied the way I did.

But with ESXi being so stable, why fix something that's working. #-)

I agree completely. Although, I've been secretly playing with Proxmox and xcp-ng in VMs so if ESXi ever shits the bed, I can easily make the switch without having to start completely over with a new (free) hypervisor. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

Hey poindexter!

On Fri, Jun 20 2025 09:28:59 -0500, you wrote:

You have an actual contract with VMWare? Here I thought all us old
sysops that still ran VMWare were running old, discontinued, free
versions. ;)

Yes - this is my work stack, not my homelab.

Ah, that makes more sense. I'm guessing you didn't foot the bill, then. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

Hello Accession!

20 Jun 25 18:28, you wrote to me:

Before the current sh*t show, it was possible to run the latest
version for free.

I know. I'm still running 6.5.0 build 5969303. But I never had a "contract" or any kind of support, since I never purchased anything
from them. The OP seemed to have some kind of support that was running
out at some point, which is why I replied the way I did.

6.5 Update 3, build 14320405 here... I was planning on going further up the tree, but then the sh*t show started.... #-(

But with ESXi being so stable, why fix something that's working.
#-)

I agree completely. Although, I've been secretly playing with Proxmox
and xcp-ng in VMs so if ESXi ever shits the bed, I can easily make the switch without having to start completely over with a new (free) hypervisor. ;)

I already have the proxmox experiance, so it's just waiting time... I wish that it had the option to install it like ESXi though.
My current server has ESXi on a 8gb usb memory stick, and al lthe drives are dedicated to the VM's (Two SSD's) and paaased through to Xigamnas. #-)



Vorlon


--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240302
* Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- dragon.vk3heg.net -:--- Prt: 6800 (21:1/195)

Hey Vorlon!

On Fri, Jun 20 2025 20:14:12 -0500, you wrote:

6.5 Update 3, build 14320405 here... I was planning on going further
up the tree, but then the sh*t show started.... #-(

Yep, same. I couldn't find any of the old updates anywhere, which I'm absolutely surprised about the fact that you can find just about anything on the internet if you look hard enough.

Either way, the version I'm using works fine for what I need it for. The web UI has a couple issues sometimes when trying to install a new VM: If you don't select the correct options right at the beginning of the setup, it will open up the cores/memory/space allocation window with a bunch of negative numbers that you can't change. So you have to start over. However, if you do it right it works just fine.

I already have the proxmox experiance, so it's just waiting time... I wish that it had the option to install it like ESXi though.
My current server has ESXi on a 8gb usb memory stick, and al lthe drives are dedicated to the VM's (Two SSD's) and paaased through to Xigamnas. #-)

While I don't care, or use containers.. xcp-ng is another option for me. I like the fact that there is a TUI with xcp-ng, rather than just a linux login prompt like Proxmox has. Sometimes, I don't need to login to the web interface to do something simple, and xcp-ng allows for that.

I imagine ESXi will probably last the life of my hardware, though. So I probably don't have much, if anything, to worry about.

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

Accession wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

Yes - this is my work stack, not my homelab.

Ah, that makes more sense. I'm guessing you didn't foot the bill, then.
;)

Nope, I'm in the middle of a separation effort - my division was sold
off and they're standing up all of the services the parent company used to provide. SAP, Salesforce, new Azure/365, and on-prem compute. I'm going
to "inherit" the vSphere environment, but will need to re-evaluate in a
year when my company's footing the bill!



--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Accession wrote to Vorlon <=-

I agree completely. Although, I've been secretly playing with Proxmox
and xcp-ng in VMs so if ESXi ever shits the bed, I can easily make the switch without having to start completely over with a new (free) hypervisor. ;)

Proxmox now has a vCenter-like manager in development, and a decent
backup server - plus Veeam is starting to make rumblings about
supporting Proxmox. I mentioned before, given that my on-prem workloads
are pretty light and my server hardware going EOL, I might try Proxmox
with support and move the VMs to it.

I have a jump box, print servers, a door entry system, a couple of
DCs and a Nasuni appliance running on ESXi now - most of that could move
into the cloud, conceivably.



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Vorlon wrote to Accession <=-

6.5 Update 3, build 14320405 here... I was planning on going further up the tree, but then the sh*t show started.... #-(

That was a good vintage - it seemed like a lot of older, running
hardware fell off the hardware compatibility list with VMWare 7.



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is up...finally get a chance to try out their support.
These are Gen 8 models, I may look at Proxmox when the VMWare contract
is up...finally get a chance to try out their support.

Most everything is in the cloud now except for a jump server, print
server and a couple of utility VMs, why not?

I'm more of a fan of QEMU & KVM :D

... "And all your money won't another minute buy!"

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)