Setting up a Two-Node Proxmox Cluster: One Node with OPNsense VM for Virtual Server

Setting Up a Two-Node Proxmox Cluster with One OPNsense VM Virtual Server

In this article, we will discuss the process of setting up a two-node Proxmox cluster, where one of the nodes will be running an OPNsense VM virtual server. This setup will allow for high availability and load balancing, making it an ideal solution for businesses and organizations that require a robust and reliable virtualized infrastructure.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, it is important to ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

• Two physical servers with identical hardware specifications
• Proxmox VE installed on both servers
• A shared storage solution, such as a SAN or NAS, that is accessible by both Proxmox nodes

Installing OPNsense VM on Proxmox Node

The first step in setting up our two-node Proxmox cluster is to install the OPNsense VM on one of the nodes. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Log in to the Proxmox web interface on the node where you want to install the OPNsense VM.
2. Click on the "Create VM" button to create a new virtual machine.
3. Select "OPNsense" as the operating system and choose the appropriate version for your needs.
4. Allocate the necessary resources, such as CPU cores, memory, and disk space, to the VM.
5. Configure the network settings for the VM, making sure to enable "Promiscuous Mode" on the virtual switch.
6. Start the VM and complete the OPNsense installation process.

Setting Up the Proxmox Cluster

Once the OPNsense VM is installed, the next step is to set up the Proxmox cluster. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Log in to the Proxmox web interface on the node that is running the OPNsense VM.
2. Click on the "Datacenter" option in the left-hand menu and then click on the "Create Cluster" button.
3. Enter a name for the cluster and select the appropriate options for your setup, such as the cluster type and authentication method.
4. Add the second Proxmox node to the cluster by clicking on the "Add Node" button and entering the node's IP address and root password.
5. Configure the cluster settings, such as the failover policy and storage configuration, as needed.

Configuring the OPNsense VM for High Availability

Now that the Proxmox cluster is set up, the next step is to configure the OPNsense VM for high availability. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Log in to the OPNsense web interface and navigate to the "System" > "High Availability" page.
2. Enable the High Availability service and configure the settings as needed, such as the cluster name and password.
3. Add the second Proxmox node to the cluster by clicking on the "Add Node" button and entering the node's IP address and root password.
4. Configure the failover settings, such as the priority and backup delay, as needed.

Configuring the OPNsense VM for Load Balancing

Finally, to configure the OPNsense VM for load balancing, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to the OPNsense web interface and navigate to the "Services" > "Load Balancer" page.
2. Create a new virtual server by clicking on the "Add" button and entering the necessary information, such as the IP address, port, and protocol.
3. Add the real servers that you want to load balance to the virtual server by clicking on the "Add" button and entering the necessary information, such as the IP address and port.
4. Configure the load balancing algorithm and persistence settings as needed.

In this article, we have discussed the process of setting up a two-node Proxmox cluster, where one of the nodes is running an OPNsense VM virtual server. This setup provides high availability and load balancing for the virtualized infrastructure, making it an ideal solution for businesses and organizations that require a robust and reliable virtualized infrastructure. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to set up your own two-node Proxmox cluster with an OPNsense VM virtual server.

References

• Proxmox VE Cluster
• OPNsense High Availability
• OPNsense Load Balancer