Proxmox Cluster with QDevice & Data Center Manager

Introduction

I am setting up another Proxmox server and making a cluster with my current one. I will then install and setup Proxmox Data Center to have a dashboard to view my Proxmox environment.

Setting up the Cluster

Main Node Configuration

On the main node, create the cluster with the command:

pvecm create homelab

Fig 1: Creating the Proxmox Cluster

Check cluster status:

pvecm status

Fig 2: Primary node status

Node 2 Configuration

Join node 2 to the cluster (replace IP with primary node's IP):

pvecm add 172.16.1.24

Fig 3: Node 2 added to cluster

Verify nodes:

pvecm nodes

Fig 4: Cluster nodes listing

QDevice Setup

With only 2 nodes, you need a QDevice to maintain quorum if one node fails. This can be a small VM, Raspberry Pi, or another system.

• Cores: 1
• RAM: 1 GB
• Storage: 6 GB
• OS: Debian 12

Configuration Steps

Set a static IP for the QDevice:

nano /etc/network/interfaces

Fig 5: Configuring static IP

Install corosync on QDevice:

apt install corosync-qnetd -y

Adjust SSH settings for root login and password authentication:

PermitRootLogin yes
PasswordAuthentication yes
      

Install corosync qdevice on both Proxmox nodes:

apt install corosync-qdevice -y

Setup QDevice on one node:

pvecm qdevice setup 172.16.1.50

Verify quorum:

pvecm status

Fig 6: Cluster status showing quorum

Proxmox Web UI Overview

View your nodes in the web UI:

Fig 7: Nodes visible in Proxmox web interface

Data Center Manager Setup

Download Proxmox Data Center Manager: Download

Installation

• Cores: 2
• RAM: 4 GB
• Disk: 40 GB
• OS: Proxmox DCM

Access DCM at: http://your-ip:8443

Linking with Cluster

In DCM: Remotes → Add → Proxmox VE. Enter server IP and port.

Fig 8: Adding Proxmox remote

Creating and Using API Token

Generate token on primary node (Datacenter → Permissions → API Tokens → Add):

Fig 9: Creating API token

Copy Token ID and Secret into DCM remote setup:

Fig 10: Token credentials

Fig 11: Configuring remote in DCM

Fig 12: Summary of remote setup

Accessing Dashboard

View cluster information in DCM dashboard:

Fig 13: Data Center Manager dashboard