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I use my Proxmox server to install nine virtual machines. Alma linux 9, Arch linux 2025, CentOs Stream 9, Debian 12, Fedora 42, Free BSD 14.2, Kail linux 2025, Rocky linux 9.5 and Ubuntu 24.04 linux. Below is a breakdown of all the challenges I had with installing them and getting the webserver to function. Also installing the ssl certificate in the different webservers Apache, Apache2 and Nginx. From what I have noticed the distros that use sudo dnf update or install are basically the same. The distros that use sudo apt update or install are also very similar. The only different one is Arch linux which uses pacman commands.


So here's the breakdown, Alma linux, CentOs, Fedora linux and Rock linux are all basically the installation process and use the dnf command for updating and installing apps. Debian, Kali linux and Ubuntu installation process are step by step in a gui and use the apt command for upadting and installing apps. Only Arch linux has a completly differnt installation process and use the pacman command to update and install apps.

1

Alma Linux running Nginx


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. The installation gui is simple and straight forward. First you choose your language, then you are greeted with the installation summary. Change the settings as needed and click begin installation.

4. The performance is good boot up time is quick.

5. Installed nginx webserver and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. It did not show up immediately when I went to the ip address so i had to open the ports I needed in the firewall using different methods until it worked.

7. In my opinion Alma Linix is okay it also has a cockpit web gui if you are more comfortable with managing your server like that.

2

Arch Linux running Nginx


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR not UEFI.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. When the archlinux: prompt comes up you now have to type archinstall after that it will load a gui with a list of things you can edit and change to suit your needs.

4. The performance is really good, boot up time is quick. It's very light weigt and powerful.

5. Installed nginx webserver and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. It worked immediately no configuring of firewall to open ports of anything. Also the website directory could be easily changed without any permission denied issues.

7. In my opinion Arch Linix is very good, the only thing is it doesn't come with text editors or other per installed software like the other distros so you will have to install them yourself if you need to.

3

CentOs running Apache


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR or UEFI depending on your system.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. You will then be greeted with the installation summary almost identical to Alma Linux. Go through the setting and configure it the way you like.

4. The performances well, boot up time is quick.

5. Installed apache or httpd as its call with these linux versions and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. I had issues with the port and the firewall ha to run different commands to get the ports opened. Then eventually i got it to work.

7. In my opinion Centos is okay the only thing is it doesn't come with text editors or other per installed software like the other distros so you will have to install them yourself if you need to.

4

Debian running Apache2


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR or UEFI depending on your system.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. Debian has a completly different setup process with a step by step setup where you can go back. at any point to change anything you need to.

4. It performs very well with not issues and updates are a breeze, boot up time is quick and very stable.

5. Installed apache2 or httpd and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. I no issues with the firewall or having to install any additional apps to get anything working. It all just functioned as it should.

7. In my opinion Debian is a very rock solid reliable linux distro. You just setup and forget it.

5

Fedora running Apache


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR or UEFI depending on your system.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. Fedora is basically the exact same setup screen as Centos and Alma linux. Configure everything as you need too and begin installation.

4. It performs very well same as CentOs and Alma with the same boot up time and web gui if needed.

5. Installed apache and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. I had isues with the firewall blocking the port i needed and had to intall text editors and stuff.

7. In my opinion Fedora is okay nothing special but it works well.

6

Free BSD running Apache


7

Kali linux running Apache2


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR or UEFI depending on your system.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. Kali linux installer is basically the exact same setup as Debian. With a step by step configuration for everything as you need too until completed.

4. It performs very well same as Debian with the same boot up time stablity and reliabillity.

5. Installed apache2 and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. I had no issues with the firewall or anything the port i needed just worked.

7. In my opinion Kali is a very good linux distro light weight stable and reliable.

8

Rocky linux running Apache


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR or UEFI depending on your system.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. Fedora is basically the exact same setup screen as Centos, Alma linux and Fedora. Configure everything as you need too and begin installation.

4. It performs very well same as CentOs, Alma and Fedora with the same boot up time and web gui if needed.

5. Installed apache and configured the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. I had isues with the firewall blocking the port i needed and had to intall text editors and stuff.

7. In my opinion Rocky Linux is okay nothing special but it works well.

9

Ubuntu running Apache2


1. Download ISO file from website. Write ISO to flash drive or upload in Proxmox. But it has to be in MBR or UEFI depending on your system.

2. Boot from flash drive or ISO after setting up a virtual machine.

3. Ubuntu has a completly different setup process with a step by step setup where you can go back. at any point to change anything you need to.

4. It performs very well with not issues and updates are a breeze, boot up time is not so quick and but very stable.

5. Installed apache2 the .config file with the servername, port and ssl cert paths.

6. I no issues with the firewall or having to install any additional apps to get anything working. It all just functioned as it should.

7. In my opinion Ubuntu is a very user friendly reliable linux distro. Its not very light weight cause it has alot of packages but very stable. I would recommend it for beginners that are now getting into the linux enviroment.