Virtualisation and the Proxmox hypervisor

A virtual machine is a complete computer simulated by the server, with its own operating system (Windows or Linux), disks and memory: that is where the phone system or Home Assistant goes. A container is lighter: it shares the core of the server's operating system, which limits it to Linux and isolates it a little less, but it works very well for a small service. Docker is another family of containers that delivers ready-made applications; on Proxmox, I group them in a dedicated virtual machine, as Proxmox recommends.

Yes: Proxmox is open-source software, and all its features are available without paying. The optional subscription gives access to the most thoroughly tested updates and, depending on the level, to support from the publisher with guaranteed response times. Proxmox itself advises against using its free updates on a server your business depends on: in that case, I recommend the subscription, or at the very least a careful routine, with a snapshot and a backup before every update.

Sometimes, yes, and I will tell you so. If you only want Home Assistant, a box such as Home Assistant Green is simpler; for one or two small services, a compatible Synology NAS can also run them. A Proxmox server becomes worthwhile when several services add up, or when the phone system, cameras and AI need more power and proper backups. And some services are better left with a hosting provider, such as your email: I will tell you that too.

For a home, a quiet mini-PC is often enough for Home Assistant, passwords and a few services, but these small processors are often limited to 16 GB of memory, without error correction: too tight for an AI that drafts text. For a business, I recommend a small server with ECC memory and good-quality mirrored SSDs. An old server can do for trials, but its RAID card is poorly suited to the ZFS storage I often use, and it draws a lot of power: according to published measurements, around 120 W at idle for an older dual-processor model, compared with 10 to 12 W for an Intel N100 mini-PC and about thirty watts for a small recent server. Rather than promise savings, I prefer to measure.

With two mirrored disks, a failing disk does not stop anything: the other takes over and you are notified. If it is the whole server, the virtual machines are restored from the backup onto another computer running Proxmox, and can even restart while the restore finishes; the downtime depends on the data and the replacement hardware, and we discuss it beforehand, not on the day of the failure. For everything to restart automatically on another machine, you need at least three servers, or two plus a small tie-breaker, and data that is shared or copied between them, with the risk of losing the last few minutes. That is useful when every hour of downtime is costly, rarely for a small organisation.

Yes. Proxmox includes a wizard that imports VMware ESXi machines with most of their settings; the original machine has to be shut down during the import, so we plan a short outage, one evening or at a weekend. Encrypted disks and the virtual security chip (TPM) do not import as they are: I take stock before starting, and the old server stays in place until everything has been signed off.

Not quite: the models running on your premises remain a notch below the best online services, and small models make mistakes more often. Their strength: your documents and conversations never leave your premises. Transcribing a recording is possible on a good processor, if you give it time; for fast transcription in French, or for a model that drafts and answers at a comfortable pace, in practice you need a graphics card, with roughly 8 GB of memory or more, which weighs on the hardware and on power consumption.

Yes, provided it is done properly: encrypted connection, access from outside via VPN only, tested backups. Vaultwarden is lightweight and compatible with the Bitwarden apps, but it is a community project, not affiliated with Bitwarden the company. For a business that wants the vendor behind it, there is the official version installed on your premises, which requires a Bitwarden Enterprise subscription, or simply its online service: I will help you choose.

Not automatically: it stays on your hardware and fewer providers have access to it, but its security then depends on how well the server is maintained. GDPR does not in fact require you to host in-house: above all, it asks you to protect data and to be able to restore it in good time, checking this regularly. Against ransomware (a virus that encrypts your files and then demands a ransom), the server can add backups but not delete them, an encrypted copy goes off your premises and, if you wish, another goes onto a disk that is then unplugged. Restoring is tested before going live, then regularly; the exact legal framework should be confirmed with your adviser.

A server needs updating and monitoring, especially for security: I can take care of it remotely, with a snapshot before every update, or train the person who manages your IT. Proxmox and most of the software installed on it are open source, documented and used around the world. You receive all the access details and clear documentation: another IT professional, or your in-house contact, can take over the installation.