How do I install Proxmox on a Hetzner Dedicated Server without a KVM console?

Via the Hetzner Rescue System over SSH: Activate rescue, restart the server, run an install script - the rest runs automatically.

Does this work on an AX server?

The project lists AX, EX and SX as compatible series and AX-102 as its primary test model. Membership of one of these series alone does not confirm compatibility of an individual model.

What exactly does the install script do?

It creates an automated Proxmox installation, sets up ZFS as root filesystem in mirror mode, and configures network/hostname/FQDN.

Will everything be deleted?

Yes. The installation overwrites the system disks. Make sure to pull backups beforehand.

Is ZFS (Mirror) useful for Proxmox?

A ZFS Mirror equals RAID1: Data is mirrored on two drives. If one SSD fails, the system keeps running.

Why do I need Rescue Mode on Hetzner?

You get a minimal live system from which you can start the installation completely remote - without a physical console.

How do I access the Proxmox web interface after installation?

Via HTTPS in your browser (port 8006). Login: root + the root password you set.

Why are there vmbr0 and vmbr1?

vmbr0 is the public bridge (public IP), vmbr1 is an internal private bridge network for VMs/containers with NAT.

Do my VMs automatically have internet via NAT?

Yes, if vmbr1 is set up as a private network with NAT. The host does masquerading to the outside.

Which ports do I need to open?

At minimum: SSH (22) and Proxmox Web (8006). Recommendation: keep as few ports open as possible.

Do I need a Proxmox subscription?

For production it's recommended. For tests/homelab it works without - then use the no-subscription repo.

How do I check if ZFS Mirror is really active?

On the shell: run zpool status. You should see a mirror vdev and both devices as ONLINE.

Is a single-node Proxmox useful?

Yes - for many workloads a single host is sufficient. For high availability you need multiple nodes + quorum setup.

Which Proxmox version does the script install?

Without an existing pve.iso, the script downloads the latest matching ISO from enterprise.proxmox.com/iso/. An existing pve.iso is reused, so check its version before starting.

Does the script work with a single public IP?

Yes. vmbr0 uses the public IP and vmbr1 provides a private network with NAT. Inbound connections to guests require suitable forwarding and firewall rules.

Proxmox on Hetzner: ZFS RAID1 Single-Node Setup with Auto-Install Script

Timo WevelsiepUpdated: 19.10.2026

Editorial note: Versions, commands and prices may change. Please verify critical steps independently before production use. This guide does not replace individual professional, legal or tax advice.

Run Proxmox on Hetzner professionally? WZ-IT handles setup, network design, operations and support for your Proxmox infrastructure. To the service page →

This post covers a reproducible installation of Proxmox VE on a Hetzner Dedicated Server as a single node with ZFS Mirror (RAID1) - without a KVM console, by booting the server into the rescue system and letting a script automate the installation. The project lists AX, EX and SX as compatible series and AX-102 as its primary test model.

What You'll Get

Freshly installed Proxmox VE (automated via ISO + auto-install)
Root filesystem on ZFS (Mirror/RAID1)
Typical Proxmox network setup:
- vmbr0 = Public Bridge (IPv4/IPv6)
- vmbr1 = Private Bridge with NAT/Masquerading (practical for internal networks/LXCs/VMs)
Proxmox Web GUI accessible at https://<IP>:8006

Important Notes (Please Read)

Warning: Data Loss. This installation is intended for fresh installs and will overwrite the system on the disks (typical reinstall behavior).
This is a third-party script (ariadata/proxmox-hetzner). Read through it before running and only use it if you agree that it modifies system and network files as well as APT sources.
Hetzner's network configuration is somewhat "special" (routing/gateway requirements). If you change things later, refer to Hetzner guidelines.

As of October 2026: The project uses the MIT license and primarily reports tests on AX-102. The source selects the latest ISO for download; an existing pve.iso is reused. Review script and ISO before running as root.

WZ-IT offers maintenance and support for updates, monitoring and backups.

Prerequisites

Before choosing a server, check hardware and sizing and compare hosting providers.

Hetzner Dedicated Server of the AX, EX or SX series (the project reports tests mainly on AX-102)
Access to Hetzner Robot (or Hetzner Cloud Rescue, depending on product)
SSH Client (Linux/macOS Terminal or Windows PowerShell/WSL)
Optional: SSH key registered in Robot (more convenient for rescue)

Step 1: Activate Rescue System
Step 2: Start Installation via Script
Step 3: What the Script Does
Step 4: Reboot & Login
Quick Checks After Login
Sources

Step 1: Activate Rescue System (Hetzner Robot)

In Hetzner Robot: Servers → select your server → Rescue
Select Linux / 64-bit (public key optional) and activate rescue
Then in the Reset tab, trigger a Hardware Reset
SSH into the rescue system as root (password is shown in Robot)

Step 2: Start Installation via Script

In the rescue system as root:

curl -fSLo pve-install.sh https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ariadata/proxmox-hetzner/main/scripts/pve-install.sh
less pve-install.sh

Before running, read the entire script, including files it downloads. To pin a revision, replace main in the download URL with the full commit hash of the selected revision; if releases or tags exist, select their corresponding commit. Only then execute the local file:

bash pve-install.sh

The project describes the process as an automated installation without console (ISO is downloaded, auto-install configuration is created, ZFS RAID1 is set up, network IPv4/IPv6 is configured, hostname/FQDN etc.).

What the script interactively asks:

Network interface (e.g., eno1)
Hostname & FQDN
Timezone & email
Private subnet (for vmbr1/NAT)
New root password

Proxmox Hetzner Script - Summary and Start

After confirmation, the automatic installation begins:

Step 3: What the Script Does Technically (Brief and Transparent)

So you know what's happening, here are the key components:

1) Proxmox ISO + Auto-Install

The script downloads a Proxmox VE ISO (automatically "latest") and creates an auto-install ISO via the Proxmox auto-install assistant.

2) ZFS Mirror (RAID1)

The auto-install answer file sets:

filesystem = "zfs"
zfs.raid = "raid1"
Installation on two disks (as vda/vdb in the installer)

Proxmox has supported ZFS as a root option for years (no manual module building required).

The storage options are explained in ZFS, Ceph or LVM compared.

3) Installation via QEMU in Rescue

The Proxmox installation is booted in a QEMU VM within the rescue system, installing directly to the server disks (virtually mapped as vda/vdb).

4) Networking with one public IP: vmbr0 and vmbr1 with NAT

After installation, the script briefly boots the freshly installed environment with SSH port forwarding, copies prepared template files over, and sets up:

/etc/network/interfaces with
- vmbr0 (Public Bridge, IPv4 + IPv6)
- vmbr1 (Private Bridge) plus NAT/MASQUERADE iptables rules
IP forwarding via sysctl (net.ipv4.ip_forward=1, net.ipv6.conf.all.forwarding=1)

This is practical when you want to run VMs/LXCs "internally" first without immediately routing public IPs.

Step 4: Reboot and Log into Proxmox

After completion, the script asks if it should reboot:

Proxmox Installation Complete - Confirm Reboot

After that, your server boots into the installed Proxmox.

Access the web interface at:

https://<your-server-ip>:8006

User: root
Password: the password you set (in the script/installer)

1. Check ZFS Pool (Shell on Node)

zpool status
zfs list

You should see a mirror pool (ZFS RAID1). The ZFS root setup is the core of this approach.

2. Check Network Bridges

Datacenter → <Node> → System → Network

You should see vmbr0 and vmbr1 (Public/Private).

Optional: Next Steps

For subsequent steps, see the guides to running without a subscription and encrypted backups on Hetzner.

Update system: apt update && apt dist-upgrade -y
Update ISO index and load templates
Remove subscription warning: Tutorial: Remove Proxmox Subscription Notice
If you want to manually adjust Hetzner-specific network details (additional IPs/subnets/routing): Hetzner Community Tutorials are a good reference.

Sources

Further Guides

For public connectivity and private guests: Proxmox on Hetzner with one IP and a firewall VM.

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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 HellmerichsManaging Director, AInergy GmbH

Email[email protected]Phone+49 2922 875068

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 HellmerichsManaging Director, AInergy GmbH

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most important questions

Knowledge

Proxmox on Hetzner: ZFS RAID1 Single-Node Setup with Auto-Install Script

What You'll Get

Important Notes (Please Read)

Prerequisites

Table of Contents

Step 1: Activate Rescue System (Hetzner Robot)

Step 2: Start Installation via Script

Step 3: What the Script Does Technically (Brief and Transparent)

1) Proxmox ISO + Auto-Install

2) ZFS Mirror (RAID1)

3) Installation via QEMU in Rescue

4) Networking with one public IP: vmbr0 and vmbr1 with NAT

Step 4: Reboot and Log into Proxmox

1. Check ZFS Pool (Shell on Node)

2. Check Network Bridges

Optional: Next Steps

Sources

Further Guides

Build, migrate, or operate Proxmox

Build, migrate, or operate Proxmox

Frequently Asked Questions

More on Proxmox

All Proxmox articles

What You'll Get

Important Notes (Please Read)

Prerequisites

Table of Contents

Step 1: Activate Rescue System (Hetzner Robot)

Step 2: Start Installation via Script

Step 3: What the Script Does Technically (Brief and Transparent)

1) Proxmox ISO + Auto-Install

2) ZFS Mirror (RAID1)

3) Installation via QEMU in Rescue

4) Networking with one public IP: vmbr0 and vmbr1 with NAT

Step 4: Reboot and Log into Proxmox

Quick Checks After Login

1. Check ZFS Pool (Shell on Node)

2. Check Network Bridges

Optional: Next Steps

Sources

Further Guides

Build, migrate, or operate Proxmox

How do I install Proxmox on a Hetzner Dedicated Server without a KVM console?+

Does this work on an AX server?+

What exactly does the install script do?+

Will everything be deleted?+

Is ZFS (Mirror) useful for Proxmox?+

Why do I need Rescue Mode on Hetzner?+

How do I access the Proxmox web interface after installation?+

Why are there vmbr0 and vmbr1?+

Do my VMs automatically have internet via NAT?+

Which ports do I need to open?+

Do I need a Proxmox subscription?+

How do I check if ZFS Mirror is really active?+

Is a single-node Proxmox useful?+

Which Proxmox version does the script install?+

Does the script work with a single public IP?+

All Proxmox articles