How do I run VMs on IONOS dedicated servers using NAT?

For the dedicated product lines covered by the IONOS guidelines, use NAT rather than public bridging; unapproved MAC addresses can trigger disconnection. A public guest IP requires IP forwarding and routing. Do not assume these legacy-product rules apply to other Cloud Panel servers.

Does Proxmox on IONOS make sense as Single Node?

Yes - Single Node on Dedicated is a very common starting point. Proxmox explicitly supports Single Node; for high availability you then need multiple nodes.

Do I need 3 nodes for HA?

For true HA with stable quorum: 3+ nodes is standard. Two nodes only work with additional quorum strategy and more "ops overhead". Requirements: two-node cluster with QDevice.

What does Proxmox on IONOS cost?

Proxmox has no license cost; costs depend on Dedicated sizing, storage concept and your support/operating model. We calculate transparently based on your workloads and desired response times.

What hardware baselines do you recommend on IONOS?

For Proxmox, RAM/IOPS usually matters more than CPU clock. We size based on your VM profiles, storage write rate and growth; for Single Node we recommend "stable and enough reserve" rather than calculated tight.

What does Unlimited Traffic at IONOS mean in practice?

As of October 2026, IONOS advertises dedicated servers with unlimited traffic. The included allowance depends on the product and connection. For certain storage servers, the optional 10 Gbit/s connection includes 20 TB of outbound public traffic per month, with additional charges above that allowance. Product terms.

Are there hidden costs?

Not "hidden", but often forgotten: additional public IPs, backup solutions, monitoring stack, and operational overhead (updates/on-call). We list these items separately in quotes so you have true TCO.

Can I use multiple Public IPs and how does that affect things?

Yes, that's often possible - important is then clean routing/NAT so management and VM traffic doesn't go "wild". We plan Public IPs as "edge", not as internal cluster network.

How do I build a private network between Dedicated Servers?

At IONOS this works via tagged VLANs (802.1Q) - IONOS has dedicated step-by-step guides (Linux/Windows). This is exactly how you build a private network between Dedicated Servers.

Which network separation does Proxmox need?

As always: Management separated from Corosync/Cluster. If Ceph/storage is added: own storage network (preferably via VLAN), so traffic stays stable.

How does IONOS Private Network work in Cloud Panel?

For dedicated servers in Cloud Panel: create a private network, assign servers and read the VLAN ID in the account. Servers communicate within the same private network. Confirm multiple networks per server with IONOS first.

What are typical problems with VLAN/Tagged VLAN on IONOS?

Often it's VLAN tagging/interface MTU/802.1Q modules or wrong IP plans. IONOS explicitly describes tagged VLAN setup; we set it up so Corosync/storage runs stable.

ZFS or Ceph - what makes sense when starting small?

Starting small = usually ZFS on Single Node. Ceph is more worthwhile when you have 3+ nodes and a dedicated storage network and really want to use HA/live migration.

How does VMware → Proxmox migration work on IONOS?

We plan inventory, test migration and cutover with rollback. IONOS offers a VMware private cloud; Proxmox on dedicated servers is a separate target architecture.

How do you secure management?

VPN/bastion instead of open GUI, plus firewalling and clean roles. This keeps the admin interface from being "public".

How do you handle backups?

For IONOS, we define RPO/RTO, offsite targets and restore verification. See Managed Proxmox for the agreed scope.

Single nodes need a maintenance window and rollback plan; clusters are updated node by node with verification. Details: Proxmox maintenance.

Do you offer support as hour packages?

Ad hoc help on IONOS is available through Proxmox support, billed by effort or as an hour package with 10, 25 or 50 hours. For ongoing operations with agreed response targets, see Managed Proxmox.

What operating models do you offer?

Setup with handover, shared operations or Managed Proxmox. Responsibilities and service levels are agreed.

Proxmox on IONOS: setup, clusters, and operations

We design single nodes and HA clusters on suitable IONOS dedicated servers, including networking, storage, backup, and optional managed operations.

Traffic depends on plan and connection
Tagged VLAN
Single node or HA cluster

Free initial assessment Support & hour packages

Reviews

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Proxmox × IONOS

Why Proxmox on IONOS?

Enterprise virtualization without vendor lock-in on IONOS Dedicated - with traffic depending on plan and connection, plus private networking.

Traffic depends on plan and connection
IONOS advertises dedicated servers with unlimited traffic. The allowance depends on product and connection; the optional 10 Gbit/s connection on certain storage servers includes 20 TB outbound per month (product terms).
Cost
Proxmox is open source. IONOS Dedicated at competitive prices. No per-socket licenses.
EU & GDPR
IONOS data centers in Germany. German company, European data sovereignty.
Performance
Dedicated hardware = consistent performance. No noisy neighbors, no throttling.
Typical Use Cases
Private Cloud · VDI · Dev/Prod Separation · Legacy VMs · Traffic-intensive Apps

Scope

Proxmox with IONOS Private Network and VLAN: network design

What we set up on IONOS: network, cluster and high availability as well as backup, updates and monitoring.

Network design

For dedicated servers in Cloud Panel: create a private network, assign servers and read the VLAN ID in the account. Confirm multiple private networks per server first. As of October 2026.

Private Network (Cloud Panel)
Logical network segmentation via IONOS Cloud Panel. Private IPs for internal communication between dedicated servers.
IONOS: Private Network IONOS: Setup
Tagged VLAN for Dedicated Servers
IONOS enables tagged VLAN setup for dedicated servers - isolated networks for cluster, storage and management.
Separated Networks
Plan separate management, Corosync and storage networks. Verify the specific server private-network assignments before implementation.

Network separation

Best Practice: Separated Networks via Tagged VLAN

Management
Web GUI, SSH, API access
Cluster/Corosync
Heartbeat, quorum, cluster sync
Storage (optional)
Ceph, NFS, iSCSI traffic

Cluster & High Availability

Proxmox Cluster Manager and HA Manager enable automatic failover on node failures. We configure this for you.

Cluster Setup
pvecm, naming concept, network requirements
HA Manager
Automatic failover of VMs and containers
Quorum & Split-Brain
3-node recommendation, QDevice for 2-node setups
ZFS (local)
VM live migration can transfer local disks. HA can use ZFS replication; a node failure may lose changes made since the last replication.
Proxmox: Live Migration Proxmox: ZFS Replication
Ceph (Verteilt)
Shared storage, HA-friendly, self-healing. More complex, requires dedicated network via VLAN. Recommended for HA clusters.

Backup, Updates, Monitoring

Professional operations mean: automation, monitoring, documented processes.

Backup Strategy
Proxmox Backup Server (PBS), defined RPO/RTO, immutable & offsite backups, regular restore tests
Update Management
Rolling updates, documented runbooks, coordinated maintenance windows, rollback plans
Monitoring & Alerting
Host/VM/storage metrics, backup job monitoring, alerting on issues, capacity planning

Architecture

Architecture Options

Which architecture fits your requirements? We help with the decision.

Single Node

Option 1: Single Node Proxmox on IONOS Dedicated

Simple setup & management
Traffic depends on plan and connection
Predictable monthly costs
Ideal for SMB & dev/test

One dedicated server for smaller workloads or cost focus. Dedicated resources, traffic depending on plan and connection, simple setup.

Recommended for HA

Option 2: Proxmox Cluster on IONOS Dedicated (HA)

VM restart after node failure
Live migration without a VM restart
Move guests before maintenance
Coordinate quorum and storage

From three nodes: HA restarts guests after a node failure. Live migration moves running VMs without a restart. Quorum, storage and spare capacity are prerequisites.

Access

Option 3: Separate Management + Proxmox Nodes

Enhanced security
Clean access separation
Monitoring on jump server
Best practice for compliance

Separate bastion/jump server for secure access. Proxmox nodes only reachable via private network.

Single Node Setup - Best Practice
Single Node vs HA Cluster	Single Node	HA Cluster (3+ Nodes)
When Single Node Makes Sense	Budget focus, simpler management, manageable workloads	Automatic failover
Setup	Simple setup & management	Live migration without a VM restart
Cost and maintenance	Lower costs	Maintenance during operation
Failure	Backup/restore as DR strategy	Failover on node failure

≠Single Node ≠ Insecure: Professionally operated with backups, restore tests and monitoring. Upgrade Path to HA: Can be expanded to cluster anytime when requirements grow.
·Proxmox works as single node or as cluster. For many SMB setups, a properly operated single-node system is sufficient - what matters is backups, monitoring and documented updates.

Process

Project Process

How we work - transparent and structured.

01
Assessment
Analysis of existing workloads, network, storage and requirements
02
Architecture & Sizing
Planning the optimal configuration for your requirements
03
Build
Setup of cluster/single node, private network/VLAN, storage and backup
04
Test
Failover tests, restore tests, live migration validation
05
Migration
Cutover of existing workloads with minimal downtime
06
Operations & Support
Ongoing maintenance, monitoring and support as needed

Operating models

Support & Operating Models

Setup with handover, shared operations or fully managed: you decide what stays with your team.

Managed Proxmoxfrom €179.90 excl. VAT / node and monthWe handle complete operations: monitoring, updates, backups, support - you focus on your business.

Fully Managed

Monitoring
Updates
Backups
Support

Free initial assessment Proxmox maintenance and operations Configure a non-binding request

Payment

Bank transfer

Other routes

One-time Setup

We set up your Proxmox server/cluster, document everything and hand over to your team.

View Proxmox setup →Billed by time

Co-Managed

Your team handles daily operations, we support with updates, troubleshooting and expansions.

€120 excl. VAT / hour · Hour packages from €1,200 excl. VATDescribe the task →For professional secrecy holders

Operate Proxmox in the Section 203 Managed Cloud

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.

View the Section 203 Managed Cloud →

Frequently Asked Questions

Proxmox on IONOS - Answers to Your Questions

TopicsBasics Traffic & Costs Network & VLAN Storage Operations & Migration Support

Basics

Traffic & Costs

Network & VLAN

Storage

Operations & Migration

Support

Knowledge

Proxmox proof from real projects

Customer feedback on virtualization, backup, VPN, security and ongoing cluster operations.

Networking & Provisioning

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 KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH

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International

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.

Selected projects

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Enquiry

Plan Proxmox with the selected provider

Name provider resources, required topology, and affected workloads.

Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
A professional assessment of your situation
Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI

The conversation is free and non-binding.

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.

Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH

Email[email protected]Phone+49 2922 875068

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.

Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH

Proxmox on IONOS: setup, clusters, and operations

Traffic depends on plan and connection

Cost

EU & GDPR

Performance

Typical Use Cases

Private Network (Cloud Panel)

Tagged VLAN for Dedicated Servers

Separated Networks

Management

Cluster/Corosync

Storage (optional)

Cluster Setup

HA Manager

Quorum & Split-Brain

ZFS (local)

Ceph (Verteilt)

Backup Strategy

Update Management

Monitoring & Alerting

Option 1: Single Node Proxmox on IONOS Dedicated

Option 2: Proxmox Cluster on IONOS Dedicated (HA)

Option 3: Separate Management + Proxmox Nodes

Assessment

Architecture & Sizing

Build

Test

Migration

Operations & Support

Fully Managed

One-time Setup

Co-Managed

Operate Proxmox in the Section 203 Managed Cloud

Basics

How do I run VMs on IONOS dedicated servers using NAT?+

Does Proxmox on IONOS make sense as Single Node?+

Do I need 3 nodes for HA?+

What does Proxmox on IONOS cost?+

What hardware baselines do you recommend on IONOS?+

Traffic & Costs

What does Unlimited Traffic at IONOS mean in practice?+

Are there hidden costs?+

Can I use multiple Public IPs and how does that affect things?+

Network & VLAN

How do I build a private network between Dedicated Servers?+

Which network separation does Proxmox need?+

How does IONOS Private Network work in Cloud Panel?+

What are typical problems with VLAN/Tagged VLAN on IONOS?+

Storage

ZFS or Ceph - what makes sense when starting small?+

Operations & Migration

How does VMware → Proxmox migration work on IONOS?+

How do you secure management?+

How do you handle backups?+

How do updates work?+

Support

Do you offer support as hour packages?+

What operating models do you offer?+

Guides

Alternative Platforms

More Proxmox Pages

Related Tutorials & Guides

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

Selected projects

Read client reviews

Where should we start?