Create CloudInit Ubuntu Image on Proxmox

If you want to build a reusable Ubuntu template for your Proxmox environment, here’s a step-by-step guide with example screenshots.

My Configurations:

• Storage name: SATA-Drive-1TB
• Network Interface: opfw_lan1

1. Download the Ubuntu Cloud Image

• Go to https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/ and choose the appropriate image for your use case (e.g., ubuntu-noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img).

• In Proxmox GUI:

  • Navigate to SATA-Drive-1TB → ISO Images → Download from URL.
  • Paste the URL of the selected cloud image and download it.

2. Create a VM for the Template

1. Proxmox GUI → Create VM
2. General: Set VM ID (recommended: above 1000).
3. OS: Select Do not use any media.
4. System:
   • Machine: q35
   • Qemu Agent: ✔️
   • BIOS: OVMF (UEFI)
   • Add EFI Disk: ✔️
   • EFI Storage: SATA-Drive-1TB
   • Format: QEMU image format (qcow2)
   • Pre-Enroll keys: ✔️
5. Disks: Remove scsi0 disk.
6. CPU: Leave default.
7. Memory: Set to 1024 MB.
8. Network: Set Bridge to opfw_lan1.
9. Create VM.

3. Remove CD/DVD Drive

• Go to VM → Hardware and remove the CD/DVD Drive.

4. Add Cloud-Init Drive

• Go to Hardware → Add → CloudInit Drive
• Storage: SATA-Drive-1TB → Add

5. Add Serial Port (optional)

• Go to Hardware → Add → Serial Port
• Select 0 → Add

6. Import Disk via Proxmox CLI

Run this command in your Proxmox shell:

qm disk import 1000 /mnt/pve/SATA-Drive-1TB/template/iso/ubuntu-noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img SATA-Drive-1TB --format qcow2

7. Attach Imported Disk

qm set 1000 --scsihw virtio-scsi-pci --scsi0 SATA-Drive-1TB:1000/vm-1000-disk-1.qcow2

8. Configure VM and Convert to Template

• Options → Boot Order: Set scsi0 as first boot device and disable net0.
• Right-click on VM → Convert to Template → Confirm.

You can now use this template with your configuration from cloud-init without need to re-install ubuntu server each time.