Before the first VM starts, the architecture decisions must be right: cluster size, ZFS or Ceph, hardware sizing, network design and the path away from VMware or Hyper-V. We advise independently, not vendor-bound and not hardware-driven, at a fixed price after scoping.
Companies worldwide trust WZ-IT
Proxmox is a trademark of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH. WZ-IT is an authorized reseller partner of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH. Our managed services and service levels are agreed separately from Proxmox subscriptions.
Six central architecture questions that determine the success or failure of your Proxmox project.
Single-node, 3-node quorum cluster or multi-node HA setup. We design the topology to match your workload and budget.
Which storage architecture for your IOPS and redundancy requirements? Ceph for hyperconverged clusters, ZFS local, NFS/iSCSI with existing SAN.
CPU, RAM, NIC, NVMe - we calculate the right hardware based on VM count, storage needs and HA requirements.
Separation of cluster, storage and VM traffic. Corosync on separate link, vSwitch/vRack/VLAN strategy for secure multi-tenant setups.
Migrate existing VMware/Hyper-V environment or build from scratch? We evaluate risks, effort and downtime requirements.
Do you need enterprise subscription? privacy-focused locations, BSI C5, ISO 27001 - we advise on the right compliance strategy.
Concrete instead of "it depends": the six pivotal choices of every Proxmox architecture - with the thresholds at which each option pays off.
ZFS works from a single node: local performance, snapshots and asynchronous replication to a second node. Ceph pays off from 3 nodes and requires 10 GbE or faster, disks on an HBA instead of a RAID controller and around 8 GiB RAM per OSD. We evaluate both options against your workload.
A single node covers dev environments and non-critical workloads. Two nodes plus a QDevice provide quorum without a third full node. Real high availability with automatic failover starts at 3 nodes. We size for your availability target, not by catalog.
Corosync needs its own low-latency link - otherwise you risk losing quorum under storage load. We separate management, storage and VM traffic via VLANs; MTU and bonding are defined before the build instead of being patched afterwards.
Proxmox Backup Server locally for fast restores, plus an offsite sync to a second PBS for the worst case: ransomware, fire, data center outage. Deduplication and incremental backups keep storage demand low. Retention rules and restore tests belong in the architecture, not in the afterthoughts.
Windows Server on Proxmox raises licensing questions: Standard or Datacenter, per-host core licensing, and what applies during live migration between nodes. We set these switches in the architecture before an audit does.
From VMware, the import wizard built into Proxmox moves VMs directly from ESXi into the cluster. For Hyper-V we use disk import of the VHDX files. Sequence, downtime windows and fallback are planned per VM group - not across the board.
A structured process that leads to a robust architecture proposal in 2-4 weeks.
In a 2-hour online workshop we capture your current infrastructure, workloads, performance requirements and budget framework.
You receive a detailed architecture document with hardware sizing, storage layout, network topology and migration plan.
For critical workloads we build a small PoC cluster to validate performance and failover behavior.
We build the infrastructure, or you take over with detailed documentation. A managed service with a selectable service level is available as an option.
Every format ends with a written artifact you can work with - whether with us or without us.
For existing environments
For new builds and migrations
For validation before the investment
All formats at a fixed price after scoping, between €2,500 and €12,000 excl. VAT depending on scope. The intro call is free and non-binding.
A concrete architecture document that you can implement yourself or have us implement.
All Proxmox servicesTopology, sizing, storage, network
Concrete models with prices
Steps, sequence, risks
CapEx vs. OpEx over 3 years
Consulting ends with a clear recommendation and complete documentation - not with a contract for follow-up business. You can implement the architecture document yourself or hand it to a system integrator of your choice. And if you do not want to build or operate yourself, we take on both - cleanly separated from the consulting mandate.
We build the planned architecture: cluster, storage, network and backups - including handover-ready documentation.
View Proxmox setupWe take over ongoing operations: 24/7 monitoring, updates, backup management and incident response - from €179.90 per node per month.
View Managed ProxmoxIn-depth knowledge from our Proxmox knowledge base.
For professional secrecy holders
If Proxmox processes client, patient or other professional secrets, WZ-IT plans the application, infrastructure, access, backups and ongoing operations within a purpose-built operating model.
Describe the decision, architecture question, or specific problem.
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Answers to the most important questions
The intro call is free and non-binding. Architecture consulting including workshop, documentation and PoC costs between €2,500 and €12,000 excl. VAT as a fixed price depending on scope. We give you a binding price range upfront.
Companies and organizations that want to run virtual machines and containers themselves, from a single server to a cluster with several nodes. Proxmox VE is open source; the subscription is optional and provides tested updates and vendor support. The main limits are business applications whose vendor only supports a specific hypervisor. We check that first in the consulting.
A single server covers test environments and non-critical workloads. Two nodes plus a QDevice provide quorum without a third full server. High availability with automatic failover starts at three nodes, as does a sensible Ceph cluster. We size for your availability target, not by catalog.
From first workshop to finished architecture document typically takes 2-4 weeks. For very complex setups (multi-site, mixed-workload) it can take up to 8 weeks. We define the timeline bindingly after the first call.
Yes, absolutely. Our consulting is provider- and implementer-agnostic. You can hand the architecture document to any IT team or system integrator. Optionally we offer implementation as managed service, but that's not a requirement.
It depends on the use case. Ceph: with 3+ nodes, hyperconverged, high redundancy, dynamic scaling, with 10 GbE or faster. ZFS: with single-node or small clusters, local performance, simple maintenance and replication to a second node. SAN/NFS: with existing storage infrastructure. In the workshop we clarify your requirements and recommend concretely.
That depends on the number of hosts, CPU sockets and the term of the VMware contract. The renewal is set against the one-off costs for consulting and migration plus the optional Proxmox subscription per CPU socket. The consulting compares both sides in a cost model. For inventory, target design and migration waves alone there is the virtualization exit check (from €1,490 excl. VAT).
For production workloads we recommend a subscription with the enterprise repository (per CPU socket and year: Basic €370, Standard €550, Premium €1,100 excl. VAT, as of October 2026) - you get tested updates and vendor support. For development/test the no-subscription repository is sufficient. In the consulting we clarify the right licensing strategy.
Hardware resellers earn from hardware sales - we don't. We recommend the hardware that fits your requirements, not the one with the highest margin. You buy directly from Hetzner, Thomas-Krenn, Dell or Supermicro - we just verify the configuration.
For a greenfield design workshop: no. For an architecture review of an existing environment: yes, read access via web UI or SSH is usually sufficient. During the consulting phase we do not change anything on your systems, and every access is documented.
Yes. If Proxmox is not the right platform for your case - for example because specific business applications are only supported on a particular hypervisor - we say so clearly and with reasoning. Consulting that always arrives at the same conclusion is not consulting.
Remote by default: workshops via video call, reviews via remote access. On-site visits are possible on request, for example for a hardware walkthrough in your own data center, and are billed by effort.
Always a written artifact, depending on the format: a recommendation paper with prioritized actions (review), an architecture document with topology, sizing, storage and network design plus migration plan (workshop), or a measurement report with a go/no-go recommendation (PoC).
The free initial consultation usually takes place within a few business days. The workshop typically starts 1 to 2 weeks after commissioning. If it is urgent - for example due to expiring VMware contracts - tell us and we prioritize accordingly.
No risk: worst case, you leave with a clearer understanding of your project than before.
“WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.”
Customer feedback on virtualization, backup, VPN, security and ongoing cluster operations.
“WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.”
Steve Kirchner
Managing Director, nextGYM GmbH
“Professional, honest and technically thoroughly sound: WZ-IT set up our Proxmox and backup infrastructure securely and future-proof. The consulting from Timo and Robin was objective and needs-driven, the implementation smooth and the final documentation exemplary. You can tell immediately that business-critical infrastructure is thought through holistically from the outset here and implemented with clear ownership.”
Pascal Block
Project Manager, Stadtwerke Brühl GmbH
Stadtwerke Brühl - municipal energy and infrastructure utility.
“WZ-IT provided very competent support in implementing our server and virtualization infrastructure. As part of the project, a Proxmox-based virtualization environment was set up along with a virtual machine for our application systems. Additionally, a structured backup concept was implemented. A particular focus was on security: the setup of a VPN tunnel and the clean implementation of encryption and access concepts were professionally executed. The structured consulting as well as the reliable and swift implementation deserve special mention. We are very satisfied with the services provided and are happy to recommend WZ-IT.”
John Hellmerichs
Managing Director, AInergy GmbH
AInergy - consultancy for energy and facility management.
“WZ-IT manages our Proxmox cluster reliably and professionally. The team handles continuous monitoring and regular updates for us and responds very quickly to any issues or inquiries. They also configure new nodes, systems, and applications that we need to add to our cluster. With WZ-IT's proactive support, our cluster and the business-critical applications running on it remain stable, and high availability is consistently ensured. We value the professional collaboration and the noticeable relief it brings to our daily operations.”
Pascal Hakkers
Aphy AG
Aphy AG - AI platform for hotel back-office.
“I recently worked with Timo and the WZ-IT team, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best tech decisions I have made for my business. Right from the start, Timo took the time to walk me through every step in a simple and calm way. No matter how many questions I had, he never rushed me. The results speak for themselves. With WZ-IT, we reduced our monthly expenses from $1,300 down to $250. This was a huge win for us.”
Aleksandr Shuliko
CTO, EVA Real Estate
EVA Real Estate - leading real-estate agency in Dubai.
“Communication with WZ-IT was open, friendly and professional from the very beginning. Mr. Wevelsiep and Mr. Zins responded to every one of our questions patiently, promptly and respectfully, and contributed their own suggestions and good ideas on how to modernize our server infrastructure and adapt it even better to our needs. Throughout, WZ-IT consistently kept our need for data sovereignty and GDPR compliance in mind. Even short-notice adjustments and change requests from our side were implemented quickly and patiently and integrated consistently into the overall concept. From planning to the final handover, every step was documented transparently and comprehensively - so if a provider change should ever become necessary, the documentation would let us onboard a successor into our infrastructure very quickly. We are extremely satisfied with WZ-IT and hope to continue working together for a long time.”
Christoph Mußmann
Project Officer, DGHO e.V.
DGHO - German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology.
“I got to know Timo and Robin as dedicated and professional partners who make a lot of things possible for their clients that initially seem impossible. I felt very well advised. The services offered have thoroughly convinced me. (translated)”
Andrea Pawlowski
Communications Manager, Golem.de
Golem.de - leading German IT news outlet.
“While looking for a partner to integrate a local AI solution, we came across Timo and Robin - and could not have made a better decision. They quickly understood our requirements and solved technical challenges competently and pragmatically. We were particularly impressed by the straightforward collaboration, their high level of expertise and the speed of implementation. We are delighted to have Timo and Robin at our side as reliable business partners and look forward to our next projects together. (translated)”
Henrik Jeche
Head of IT Administration
ml&s - full-service provider for the electronics industry.
“With Timo and Robin, you're not only on the safe side technically - you also get the best human support! Whether it's quick help in everyday life or complex IT solutions: the guys from WZ-IT think along with you, act quickly and speak a language you understand. The collaboration is uncomplicated, reliable and always on an equal footing. That makes IT fun - and above all: it works! Big thank you to the team! (translated)”
Sonja Aßer
Data Manager, ARGE
ARGE Neue Medien - master data & digital standards for plumbing and building technology.
“We have had very good experiences with Mr. Wevelsiep and WZ-IT. The consultation was professional, clearly understandable, and at fair prices. The team not only implemented our requirements but also thought along and proactively. Instead of just processing individual tasks, they provided us with well-founded explanations that strengthened our own understanding. WZ-IT took a lot of pressure off us with their structured approach - that was exactly what we needed and is the reason why we keep coming back. (translated)”
Matthias Zimmermann
Managing Director, Annota GmbH
Annota - healthtech startup with an AI documentation assistant.
“Timo and Robin from WZ-IT set up a RocketChat server for us - and I couldn't be more satisfied! From the initial consultation to the final implementation, everything was absolutely professional, efficient, and to my complete satisfaction. I particularly appreciate the clear communication, transparent pricing, and the comprehensive expertise that both bring to the table. Even after the setup, they take care of the maintenance, which frees up my time enormously and allows me to focus on other important areas of my business - with the good feeling that our IT is in the best hands. I can recommend WZ-IT without reservation and look forward to continuing our collaboration! (translated)”
Sebastian Maier
Managing Director, Yonju GmbH
Yonju - business coaching and AI products.
“Counting on WZ-IT team was crucial, their expertise and solutions gave us the pace to deploy in production our services, even suggesting and performing improvements over our configuration and setup. We expect to keep counting on them for continuous maintenance of our services and implementation of new solutions.”
Gabriel Sanz Señor
Managing Director, Odiseo Solutions
Odiseo Solutions - software engineering for the space industry.
“WZ-IT supported us professionally with the provisioning and setup of NetBird. Alongside the technical implementation, we also received well-founded advice on connecting our Kubernetes clusters. The recommendations were concrete and directly actionable. The collaboration was consistently reliable, fast and on equal terms. We can recommend WZ-IT without reservation.”
Kai Clauß
Head of Development, SweetConnect GmbH
SweetConnect - cross-manufacturer Industry 4.0 platform for confectionery production.
Whether a specific IT challenge or just an idea - we look forward to the exchange. In a brief conversation, we'll evaluate together if and how your project fits with WZ-IT.
Companies worldwide trust WZ-IT
