Proxmox 8.3 Virtual Environment: SDN-firewall integration, fast container backups, and more! – Help Net Security

The Proxmox Virtual 8.3 enterprise operating solution features management tools and a user-friendly web interface, allowing you to deliver open source solutions in a unified, highly available configuration.

This version is based on Debian 12.8 (Bookworm), but uses Linux kernel 6.8.12-4 as the default, and allows the option to use kernel 6.11. The software includes updates to the latest versions of the original open source technologies for virtual environments such as QEMU 9.0.2, LXC 6.0.0, and ZFS 2.2.6 (with Kernel 6.11 patches).

Updates to Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.3

Compatibility of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and firewall: SDN technology allows users to create sites and networks (VNets), which enables them to control and manage complex networks and multi-mode systems through the Proxmox VE network. The SDN stack is now closely integrated with the firewall, which has the ability to create IP addresses for VNets and virtual hosts managed by an IP address management plugin. Addressing IP addresses in firewall policies simplifies their creation and maintenance. In addition, the nftables-based firewall has the ability to filter network traffic transmitted to the host and at the network level (VNet). For example, this can be used to block SNAT traffic or traffic flowing from one Simple Zone to another.

Purpose of Webhook for notification system: The flexible notification system in the Proxmox solution uses a matcher-based approach to route notifications to different target types, allowing extensive control over when, where and to whom notifications are sent. how. The new webhook notification feature enables users to make HTTP requests for events such as system updates, cluster node information, or backup work. It supports optional request headers and body content, allowing seamless integration with any webhook-compatible service.

New ‘Tag View’ functionality for the resource tree gives users a quick and actionable view of real visitors: the new ‘Tag View’ allows users to see their visitors sorted by assigned tags.

Support for Ceph Squid (technical review): Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.3 adds support for Ceph Squid 19.2.0 and continues to support Ceph Reef 18.2.4 and Ceph Quincy 17.2.7. The preferred version of Ceph can be selected during the installation process.

Fast image backups: When saving containers to the Proxmox Backup Server, it is now possible to see files that have not changed since the last backup image was created. When possible, static files are not processed, which can cause container backups to complete faster.

Migrating from other hypervisors: Proxmox developers have prepared the host package from Open Virtualization Format (OVF) and Open Virtualization Appliances (OVA) files. Proxmox VE now allows users to upload OVF and OVA files directly from file-based storage via a web interface. This simplifies the import process and allows users to upload OVA files to a local machine or download them from a URL. In addition, Proxmox VE also provides an export wizard that facilitates the migration of VMs from other hypervisors, such as VMware guests.

The Proxmox VE open source project has experienced significant growth over the past few months, adding 300,000 active users, bringing the total to 1.3 million. “In the current strong business environment, we are well positioned for growth, especially as recent price changes in the market provide us with new opportunities to serve our customers more effectively,” said Tim Marx. , COO of Proxmox.

Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.3 is available for download here. The full version is available here.