Proxmox 9: What's New?
With the release of Proxmox Virtual Environment 9 (VE 9), system administrators, open source enthusiasts, and IT professionals have good reasons to be excited. The new version is not just an incremental update — it brings significant structural changes, aligned with the most modern technologies in the Linux and virtualization ecosystem.
In this article, we will delve into what Proxmox is, what’s new about the new system, and compare it with previous versions to highlight the improvements or enhancements of this new version.
What is Proxmox VE?
Developed by Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH, Proxmox Virtual Environment is an open-source virtualization management platform that combines two main virtualization methods:
- Máquinas Virtuais (VMs) com KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)
- Containers with LXC (Linux Containers)
The solution is widely used by companies, hosting providers, IT labs, and home labs. The combination of robustness, ease of use, and open-source license makes Proxmox a prominent alternative to commercial solutions like VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V, including in its system:
- Complete web interface
- High availability (HA)
- Native clustering
- Software-defined storage and network management (SDN)
- Backup, snapshots, and replication
- Support for Ceph, ZFS, LVM, among others
What’s New in Proxmox VE 9?
Released in July 2025, Proxmox VE 9 brings a series of improvements and modernizations. Below, we list the highlights of this update.
Technical Base Update
- Based on Debian 13 “Trixie”
- Kernel Linux 6.14.8‑1 (padrão)
- QEMU 10.0.2 (better performance and live migration features)
- LXC 6.0.4 with full support for cgroup v2
- ZFS 2.3.3 with expandable RAID-Z
- Ceph “Squid” 19.2.2 para clusters de armazenamento distribuído
What this implies:
These updates put Proxmox VE in line with the latest in the Linux and virtualization ecosystem. The new technical base ensures better performance, compatibility with modern hardware, support for new technologies, and longer lifespan for future installations, as well as increasing the stability and security of virtualized environments.
Snapshots in LVM Thick
- Feature in experimental phase
- Allows snapshots of thick LVM volumes (useful in environments with SANs)
- Previously, only “thin” volumes allowed snapshots
What this implies:
Corporate environments using external storage (SAN) or thick provisioned LVM volumes can now benefit from snapshots without needing to change their provisioning model. This expands backup and testing options, especially in critical infrastructures that use pre-allocated volumes for performance or compatibility reasons.
Networks with SDN Fabrics
- New “Fabrics” feature for SDN-routed networks
- Support for protocols such as OpenFabric and OSPF
- Ideal for Ceph clusters, multi-site networks, or advanced VPNs
What this implies:
With the introduction of SDN Fabrics, Proxmox allows creating dynamic routed networks between nodes, without relying on physical switches or complex manual configurations. This brings scalability and automation to data centers, especially in distributed environments, Ceph clusters, or high-availability architectures.
Improved Web Interface
- New dark theme activated by default
- Better accessibility and readability in low-light environments
- Fine-tuning in responsiveness and usability
What this implies:
The new interface improves user experience, reducing visual fatigue during long periods of use and making browser-based management more comfortable and modern. The changes reflect a greater care for usability and accessibility of the tool.
Enhanced Installer
- Improved support for systems with TPM 2.0
- More robust installation with ZFS root
- More accurate detection of UEFI/BIOS environments
What this implies:
Proxmox installation becomes more fluid, compatible with modern servers, and with improved support for hardware-based security (TPM). The adoption of ZFS on root by default also favors data integrity and recovery in case of failures.
Other Improvements
- Support enabled by default for proprietary (non-free) firmware
- Removal of GlusterFS support
- End of cgroup v1 usage
- Support for direct migration via
APTfor those coming from Proxmox 8.x (Upgrades viaAPTshould be tested in a controlled environment before production)
What this implies:
These changes simplify the adoption of Proxmox VE in environments with modern hardware (such as network cards or GPUs that require proprietary firmware) and signal alignment with current Linux kernel standards. Additionally, the possibility of direct upgrade via APT facilitates the transition to the new version, with less operational impact.
| Feature / Component | Proxmox VE 8.x | Proxmox VE 9 (beta) |
|---|---|---|
| System base | Debian 12 “Bookworm” | Debian 13 “Trixie” |
| Kernel | Linux 6.2+ | Linux 6.14.8 |
| QEMU | ~7.x | 10.0.2 |
| LXC | Support for cgroup v1 | LXC 6.0.4 (cgroup v2) |
| ZFS | 2.1.x | 2.3.3 (expandable RAID-Z) |
| Ceph | Reef 18.x | Squid 19.2.2 |
| Snapshots in LVM Thick | Not supported | Experimental support |
| SDN | Limited to bridges and VLANs | SDN with OSPF, Fabrics |
| Web Interface | Tema claro padrão | Default dark theme |
| Installer | TPM limitado, suporte básico a ZFS | Robust support for TPM, BIOS/UEFI, ZFS |
| Non-free firmware | Manual | Enabled by default |
| Upgrade via APT | 7.x → 8.x | 8.x → 9.x |
Why Consider Migrating to Proxmox VE 9?
If you already use Proxmox, there are several reasons to consider upgrading:
- Security updates based on Debian 13
- Better performance with newer kernel and QEMU
- More powerful network management with SDN Fabrics
- Greater storage flexibility (expandable RAID-Z, snapshots in LVM thick)
- System modernization with support for recent technologies (TPM2, proprietary firmware)
Conclusion
Proxmox VE 9 marks an important evolution in the platform, both in technology and features. The Debian 13 base, new networking and storage capabilities, and focus on modernization show that Proxmox continues to be one of the most relevant and comprehensive solutions for open source virtualization.
For existing users, it’s recommended to wait for the stable version before migrating. For the curious and early adopters, it’s worth installing the beta in isolated environments to experience what’s new.
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