Available in alpha version, this new centralized manager aims to simplify the management of multiple Proxmox nodes and clusters from a modern and efficient interface.
The Proxmox team has officially announced the first alpha version of Proxmox Datacenter Manager (PDM), a new tool that will allow centralized management of multiple Proxmox VE nodes and clusters, even if they are not part of the same cluster. This release represents a significant step toward more flexible, scalable, and modern administration in virtualization environments.
What is Proxmox Datacenter Manager?
PDM is a platform developed entirely in Rust, both in its backend API and in its command line tools and new web frontend. It is designed to provide a consolidated view of all Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment) environments, allowing basic operations such as virtual machine migrations without requiring a dedicated cluster network.
Its new interface is based on a custom widget toolkit aimed at improving accessibility, speed, and compatibility with modern browsers, featuring a cleaner and more adaptable design.
Key Features of the Alpha
- Centralized view of multiple nodes and clusters.
- Virtual machine migration without cluster network.
- Modern interface with support for themes and compact modes.
- Rust-based architecture for high performance and lower resource consumption.
- Initial support for over 5,000 remote nodes and 10,000 virtual machines in scalability testing.
How is it Installed?
PDM can be installed from an official ISO or on an existing Debian Bookworm installation by adding the pdm-test repository. Once installed, access is provided through a browser on port 8443, using root credentials.
A remote Proxmox VE node can also be added through the integrated wizard, using credentials or an API token. If the node uses self-signed TLS certificates, the fingerprint must be manually added to validate the connection.
More technical details are available at: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Proxmox_Datacenter_Manager_Roadmap
An Open and Unlocked Environment
The development team assures that, just like the other Proxmox projects (such as VE, Backup Server, and Mail Gateway), a subscription is not required to access PDM’s features, although subscription status information will be displayed on the nodes.
What to Expect Next?
- First public beta expected in the first half of 2025.
- Second beta based on Debian Trixie.
- Stable version 1.0 planned for late 2025.
- Future integration with Proxmox Backup Server, and possibly with other products like Mail Gateway.
Minimum System Requirements
- 64-bit CPU (x86-64 or AMD64)
- At least 2 cores and 2 GB of RAM
- 8 GB of disk space
- Direct connectivity to remote Proxmox VE nodes
Active Community and Collaboration
PDM has been launched in alpha version with the goal of receiving community feedback, detecting bugs, and fostering collaboration. Active participation can take place through the official Proxmox forum, the pdm-devel mailing list, or the Git repository.
Official source of the announcement:
Proxmox Support Forum – Proxmox Datacenter Manager: First Alpha Release
Proxmox Datacenter Manager aims to become the ultimate tool for managing large virtualized infrastructures from a single interface, combining performance, modernity, and simplicity.