· Proxmox VE
Proxmox for a small office: one box, several servers
Why I put most self-hosted client setups on one Proxmox machine, what it costs to run, and when a cloud server is the better buy.
What it is
Proxmox VE turns one physical computer into several virtual servers. Each one has its own operating system, its own backups and its own restart button, managed from a web page.
Why I use it for clients
Most small offices I set up need four or five things running: shared files, a database, a backup target, remote access and the app I built. One well-specified machine runs all of them, and a fault in one virtual server leaves the others alone.
What it costs you
The software is free to use. The cost is the hardware, bought in your name, and a few hours a year of updates. Paid support from the makers is optional and most small offices never need it.
Where it stops
It is one box in one building. If nobody can reach the office when the power fails, or the business needs to stay up through a fire, a cloud host is the better buy, and I will say so in the quote.
Verdict
Use it when one office runs three to ten services. Skip it if nobody can get to the machine when it needs a hand.