ZimaOS Installation Guide for Proxmox

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing ZimaOS on Proxmox Virtual Environment. ZimaOS is a modern NAS operating system that can be easily deployed as a virtual machine.

📋 Table of Contents

• Installation Methods
• Quick Start (Automatic Installation)
• Manual Installation
• Post-Installation Configuration
• Common Tasks
• Troubleshooting

🚀 Installation Methods

Choose the installation method that best suits your needs:

Method	Time Required	Difficulty	Description
Automatic	~2 minutes	Easy	Fully automated installation with minimal user input
Manual	~5 minutes	Medium	Step-by-step installation with more control

⚡ Quick Start (Automatic Installation)

The fastest way to get ZimaOS running on your Proxmox server. This method handles everything automatically.

Prerequisites

• Proxmox VE running on your server
• SSH access to your Proxmox node
• Basic understanding of VM management

Installation Steps

1. Connect to your Proxmox node via SSH
2. Run the installation script:

   bash -c "$(wget -qLO - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/R0GGER/proxmox-zimaos/refs/heads/main/zimaos_zimacube.sh)"

3. Follow the prompts to configure your VM settings
4. Wait for completion - the script will handle everything automatically

What the Script Does

• Creates a new VM with optimal settings for ZimaOS
• Downloads the latest ZimaOS image
• Configures storage and network settings
• Sets up the VM for immediate use

Note: The automatic installation creates a VM with default settings. For custom configurations, use the manual installation method.

Important: Unfortunately, it's not possible to update the auto-install script to the latest version of ZimaOS, because IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS no longer releases ZimaOS images, but only installers. Update ZimaOS after you have logged into ZimaOS.

🔧 Manual Installation

For users who prefer more control over the installation process or need custom configurations.

Prerequisites

• Proxmox VE running on your server
• SSH access to your Proxmox node
• Basic understanding of VM creation in Proxmox

Step 1: Create VM in Proxmox

1. Open Proxmox Web Interface and navigate to your node
2. Create a new VM with the following settings:
   • OS: Do not use any media
   • System:
     • BIOS: OMVF (UEFI)
     • Choose an EFI storage (e.g., local-lvm)
   • Disks, CPU, Memory, Network: Use default settings or customize as needed
   • Confirm: Finish (do not check "Start after created")

Step 2: Run Installation Script

Execute the installer script on your Proxmox node (not inside the VM):

bash -c "$(wget -qLO - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/R0GGER/proxmox-zimaos/refs/heads/main/zimaos_zimacube_installer.sh)"

Answer the prompts:

• Enter VM ID: [Your VM ID]
• Enter storage volume: [e.g., local-lvm]

Step 3: Configure VM BIOS

1. Navigate to the VM in Proxmox
2. Go to Console tab
3. Start the VM and immediately press ESC multiple times to access the virtual BIOS
4. Navigate to Device Manager → Secure Boot Configuration
5. Disable Secure Boot:
   • Select "Attempt Secure Boot"
   • Press Enter → Esc → Esc → Continue → Enter

Step 4: Install ZimaOS

1. Select "1. Install ZimaOS" from the boot menu
2. Complete the installation wizard following the on-screen prompts
3. After installation completes:
   • Stop the VM using Stop button in Proxmox (not Shutdown)
   • Disable scsi1 and enable scsi0 in VM hardware settings
   • Start the VM again

📹 Video Tutorial

Watch the complete installation process: ZimaOS Proxmox Installation Video

Note: The video is fast-forwarded in some sections for brevity.

⚙️ Post-Installation Configuration

After successful installation, you may need to perform additional configuration steps:

Initial Setup

1. Access ZimaOS Web Interface using the VM's IP address
2. Complete the initial setup wizard
3. Configure storage pools and network settings
4. Set up user accounts and permissions

Network Configuration

• Ensure your VM has proper network access
• Configure static IP if needed
• Set up port forwarding for external access

🔧 Common Tasks

Changing ZimaOS Version

To install a specific version of ZimaOS instead of the default:

1. Download the installation scripts:

   wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/R0GGER/proxmox-zimaos/refs/heads/main/zimaos_zimacube_installer.sh
   wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/R0GGER/proxmox-zimaos/refs/heads/main/zimaos_zimacube.sh

2. Edit the script to change the version:

   nano zimaos_zimacube.sh
   # or
   nano zimaos_zimacube_installer.sh

3. Modify the VERSION variable:

   # Change from:
   VERSION="1.3.0-2"
   # To your desired version:
   VERSION="1.3.1-beta1"

   Check ZimaOS releases for available versions

4. Save and make executable:

   # Save: Ctrl + X → Y → Enter
   chmod +x zimaos_zimacube*

5. Run the modified script:

   ./zimaos_zimacube.sh
   # or
   ./zimaos_zimacube_installer.sh

Adding Additional Storage

To add more drives to your ZimaOS VM:

1. Stop the ZimaOS VM in Proxmox
2. Add new hard disk:
   • Go to Hardware → Add → Hard Disk
   • Set Bus/Device to SATA
   • Configure size and storage location
3. Start the VM and configure the new drive in ZimaOS

🚨 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

VM Won't Boot

• Check Secure Boot: Ensure Secure Boot is disabled in VM BIOS
• Verify EFI Storage: Confirm EFI storage is properly configured
• Check VM Settings: Ensure UEFI is selected as BIOS type

Installation Script Fails

• Check Internet Connection: Ensure Proxmox node has internet access
• Verify VM ID: Make sure the VM ID exists and is correct
• Check Storage: Verify storage volume is available and has space

Getting Help

• ZimaOS Documentation: Official ZimaOS Documentation
• Community Support: Check ZimaOS GitHub issues and discussions
• Video Tutorial: Reference the installation video

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📚 Additional Resources

• ZimaOS GitHub: https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS
• Proxmox Documentation: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Main_Page
• Installation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n739Dia8eMz

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Inspired by bigbeartechworld - Thank you for the original tutorial!