# Proxmox Virtual Environment

> Linux distribution for server virtualization

**Wikidata**: [Q344376](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q344376)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxmox_Virtual_Environment)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/proxmox-virtual-environment

## Summary
Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE) is a free, open-source Linux distribution designed for server virtualization, developed by Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH since 2008. It serves as a hypervisor platform that enables the creation and management of virtual machines and containers, leveraging technologies like LXC and Rust for enhanced performance and security.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Free software, operating system, Linux distribution, hypervisor, and virtualization platform
- **Developer**: Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH (Austrian software company founded in 2005)
- **Inception**: April 15, 2008
- **Primary Use**: Server virtualization, including virtual machines and containers
- **Core Technologies**: LXC (Linux Containers), Rust (programming language used in development)
- **License**: Proprietary (details available in Proxmox’s developer documentation)
- **Versions**: 4.0 (2015), 5.0 (2017), 5.1 (2017), 5.2 (2018), 5.3 (2018), 6.0 (2019), 6.1 (2019), 6.2 (2020), 6.3 (2020), 6.4 (2021), 7.0 (2021), 7.1 (2021), 7.2 (2022), 7.3 (2022), 7.4 (2023), 8.0 (2023), 8.1 (2023), 8.2 (2024), 8.3 (2024), 8.4 (2025), 9.0 (2025), 9.1 (2025)
- **Website**: [English](https://www.proxmox.com/en/proxmox-virtual-environment/), [German](https://www.proxmox.com/de/proxmox-virtual-environment/)
- **Source Code**: Hosted on [Proxmox’s Git repositories](https://git.proxmox.com/)
- **Aliases**: PVE, Proxmox
- **Part of**: Proxmox family of server management products
- **Related Products**: Proxmox Mail Gateway, Proxmox Backup Server
- **Social Media**: 62,485 followers (as of May 2023)
- **Community Engagement**: Active presence on Reddit (r/Proxmox), Quora, and Lemmy
- **Wikipedia**: Available in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish

## FAQs
**What is Proxmox Virtual Environment used for?**
Proxmox Virtual Environment is primarily used for server virtualization, allowing users to create and manage virtual machines and containers efficiently. It supports both full virtualization and container-based environments, making it versatile for various server management tasks.

**Who developed Proxmox Virtual Environment?**
Proxmox Virtual Environment was developed by Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH, an Austrian software company founded in 2005. The company is headquartered in Vienna and specializes in server management solutions.

**Is Proxmox Virtual Environment free to use?**
Yes, Proxmox Virtual Environment is free software, distributed under proprietary terms that allow users to run, study, and modify it, though the exact licensing details are available in Proxmox’s developer documentation.

**What technologies does Proxmox Virtual Environment use?**
Proxmox Virtual Environment leverages LXC (Linux Containers) for operating system-level virtualization and Rust for certain development aspects, ensuring performance and security.

**How often are new versions released?**
Proxmox Virtual Environment releases new versions approximately annually, with updates often including new features, security enhancements, and compatibility improvements.

## Why It Matters
Proxmox Virtual Environment has become a significant player in the server virtualization market due to its open-source nature, ease of use, and robust feature set. It simplifies the management of virtual machines and containers, making it an attractive option for both small businesses and large enterprises. The platform’s integration with LXC and Rust contributes to its efficiency and security, while its active community and frequent updates ensure its relevance in an evolving technological landscape. By providing a unified platform for virtualization, Proxmox Virtual Environment reduces complexity and enhances operational efficiency for IT professionals.

## Notable For
- **First Release**: Launched in 2008, Proxmox Virtual Environment was one of the first open-source virtualization platforms to gain widespread adoption.
- **Rust Integration**: Proxmox was an early adopter of Rust, using it in parts of its development to improve performance and security.
- **Community-Driven**: The platform benefits from a large and active community, contributing to its continuous improvement and support.
- **Multi-Language Support**: Available in multiple languages, including English and German, making it accessible to a global audience.
- **Integration with LXC**: Proxmox Virtual Environment’s support for LXC (Linux Containers) allows for lightweight, high-performance virtualization solutions.
- **Regular Updates**: Frequent version releases ensure users benefit from the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements.

## Body
### Overview
Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE) is a free, open-source Linux distribution designed for server virtualization. Developed by Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH, an Austrian software company founded in 2005, PVE was first released on April 15, 2008. It serves as a hypervisor platform, enabling the creation and management of virtual machines and containers, and is part of the broader Proxmox family of server management products, which also includes Proxmox Mail Gateway and Proxmox Backup Server.

### Development and Technology
PVE leverages LXC (Linux Containers) for operating system-level virtualization, providing lightweight and efficient container solutions. The platform also incorporates Rust, a systems programming language, in certain development aspects to enhance performance and security. The source code for PVE is hosted on Proxmox’s Git repositories, and the platform is distributed under proprietary terms that allow users to run, study, and modify it.

### Versions and Updates
PVE has undergone numerous version updates since its inception. Notable releases include versions 4.0 (2015), 5.0 (2017), 6.0 (2019), 7.0 (2021), 8.0 (2023), and 9.0 (2025). Each update introduces new features, security enhancements, and compatibility improvements. The most recent stable version is 9.1, released in November 2025.

### Community and Support
PVE benefits from a large and active community, with a significant presence on platforms like Reddit (r/Proxmox), Quora, and Lemmy. The platform’s community engagement is reflected in its 62,485 followers on social media as of May 2023. Additionally, PVE has a Wikipedia page available in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish, further demonstrating its global reach.

### Related Projects and Products
PVE is part of the Proxmox family of server management products, which also includes Proxmox Mail Gateway and Proxmox Backup Server. These products collectively provide a comprehensive suite of tools for server management, virtualization, and backup solutions.

### Significance and Impact
Proxmox Virtual Environment has made a significant impact in the server virtualization market by offering a free, open-source alternative to proprietary solutions. Its ease of use, robust feature set, and active community support have contributed to its widespread adoption. The platform’s integration with LXC and Rust ensures high performance and security, making it a preferred choice for IT professionals. By simplifying the management of virtual machines and containers, PVE enhances operational efficiency and reduces complexity for users. Its regular updates and multi-language support further solidify its position as a leading solution in the virtualization space.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. [Software License and Copyright](https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Developer_Documentation#Software_License_and_Copyright)
3. [Proxmox VE Rust Git Tree](https://git.proxmox.com/?p=proxmox-perl-rs.git;a=tree)
4. [Source](http://proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-4-0-released)
5. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-5-0)
6. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-5-1)
7. [Proxmox VE 5.2 released](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-5-2-released)
8. [Source](https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Roadmap#Proxmox_VE_5.3)
9. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-6-0)
10. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-6-1)
11. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-6-2)
12. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-ve-6-3)
13. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 6.4 with Single-File Restore and Live Restore released](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-6-4-available)
14. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 7 with Debian 11 “Bullseye” and Ceph Pacific 16.2 released](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-7-0)
15. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-7-1-released)
16. [Source](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-7-2-available)
17. [Proxmox VE 7.3 released!. 2022](https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/proxmox-ve-7-3-released.118389/)
18. [Proxmox VE 7.4 released!. 2023](https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/proxmox-ve-7-4-released.124614/)
19. [Proxmox VE 8.0 released!. 2023](https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/proxmox-ve-8-0-released.129319/)
20. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.1 with Software-Defined Network and Secure Boot. 2023](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-8-1)
21. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.2 with Import Wizard released. 2024](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-8-2)
22. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.3 released. 2024](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-8-3)
23. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.4 available. 2025](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/company-details/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-8-4)
24. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 9.0 with Debian 13 released. 2025](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/company-details/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-9-0)
25. [Proxmox Virtual Environment 9.1 available. 2025](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/company-details/press-releases/proxmox-virtual-environment-9-1)
26. Quora
27. [Proxmox Linux](https://www.reddit.com/r/Proxmox/)
28. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File