How to Import a RAW Disk Image to Proxmox VM Step by Step

What are RAW disk images in Proxmox

A RAW disk image is an uncompressed format that provides a direct 1:1 copy of the original disk data. Importing a RAW disk image into Proxmox can be useful in various scenarios, such as migrating from another hypervisor, recovering a backup, or manually setting up a virtual machine.

Differences between RAW, QCOW2, and VMDK

Since RAW files contain no additional overhead, they provide maximum performance and full compatibility with most hypervisors, including Proxmox.

Prerequisites Before Importing

Before you start the import process, ensure you have the following:

• A working Proxmox VE installation
• A RAW disk image (.img or .raw file)
• Sufficient storage space on your Proxmox node
• Basic Linux command-line knowledge

Additionally, you may need tools such as scp or wget to transfer the RAW disk image to Proxmox.

How to import a RAW disk image into Proxmox step-by-step

Step 1: Uploading the RAW Disk Image to Proxmox

1. Use scp or rsync to copy the RAW image to the Proxmox server:

scp mydisk.raw root@proxmox:/var/lib/vz/images/

2. Alternatively, if the RAW disk image is hosted online, use wget:

wget -O /var/lib/vz/images/mydisk.raw

Step 2: Converting the RAW Image (If Needed)

If the image is in a different format (e.g., QCOW2), convert it using qemu-img:

qemu-img convert -f qcow2 -O raw source.qcow2 target.raw

Step 3: Attaching the RAW Disk Image to a VM

1. Identify the storage location using:

ls /var/lib/vz/images/

2. Attach the disk to an existing VM using qm importdisk:

qm importdisk /var/lib/vz/images/mydisk.raw local-lvm

✍ Replace with the actual VM ID.

3. Add the imported disk to the VM configuration:

qm set -scsi1 local-lvm:vm--disk-0

4. Boot the VM and check if the disk is detected correctly.

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FAQs for Proxmox importing raw disk images

Q: How do I check if a disk is in RAW format?

Use qemu-img info to check the disk format.

Q: Can I use a RAW disk image as a bootable disk?

Yes, if the image contains a bootable OS, Proxmox can boot it after attaching it to a VM.

Q: Why is my import disk not being detected?

Verify that the disk is correctly attached to the VM in Proxmox and check lsblk inside the VM.

Conclusion

Importing a RAW disk image in Proxmox is a straightforward process that involves uploading the image, converting (if necessary), and attaching it to a virtual machine. By following best practices and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure smooth migrations and system restores. Whether you're migrating from another hypervisor or setting up a backup, Proxmox provides robust tools for handling RAW disk images efficiently.