====== Proxmox Virtualizer ======
[[https://www.proxmox.com/en/|Proxmox]] is an increasingly popular virtualization software. This document describes how to install Blocks as a virtual machine under Proxmox.

===== Obtaining an OS image =====
  - Find the desired ISO image from https://cdimage.debian.org/ and copy its URL	
  - Select Server View	
  - Click "local" storage item	
  - Click "ISO Images"	
  - Click "Download from URL"	
  - Past the URL copied in the first step above	
  - Click "Download"	
  - Wait for the image to download
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=====Adding a Pool=====	
Unless you already have a suitable pool configured
  - Select Server View	
  - Select Datacenter in the list	
  - Select Pools	
  - Click Create
  - Enter the name "Blocks"
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===== Create a VM =====	
You must use VM, not CT
  - Click the blue "Create VM" button at the top of the window	
  - Select the desired "Resource Pool"	
  - Name your VM
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  - Click Next	
  - Select the desired OS image	
  - Click Next	
  - Change nothing under System, just click Next	
  - Change nothing under Disks, just click Next	
  - Under CPU, set Cores to 2 or more, click Next
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  - Under Memory, set at least 2048 MiB, click Next	
  - Change nothing under Network, just click Next	
  - Click Finish at the last step	

=====Starting the VM for the first time to install the OS=====
Make sure your Proxmox box is connected to the Internet to download software.
  - In the Server View list, select your newly created VM	
  - Click "Console" to open its console window 	
  - Click "Start Now"
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  - Once the installer screen appears, select "Graphical Install"	
  - Select desired Installer language (e.g., English)	
  - Select your location	
  - Select your desired locale (e.g., "en_US.UTF-8")	
  - Select your keyboard layout	
  - Enter the desired hostname, e.g. debian-blocks	
  - Enter your domain name, or make something up if you don't have one	
  - Enter your desired root password	
  - Enter a user name, such as your own name. Do not use the name "blocks" here, as that will be added later.
  - Enter the password for this user	
  - When asked to "Partition disks" select "Guided - use entire disk"	
  - Select the (typically single) disk	
  - Select "All files in one partition"	
  - Click Continue to "Finish partitioning"	
  - Select "Yes" and click "Continue"	
  - Wait for the installation to finish
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  - Do not select "extra installation media"	
  - Select Yes to use a "network mirror"	
  - Select your country and a mirror close to you	
  - Do not enter a "HTTP proxy" unless you know you need one	
  - Select as desired when asked to "Participate in the package usage survey"	
  - When asked to choose software to install, select only SSH server, resulting in a minimal OS, accessible over SSH
  - Select "Yes" to "Install the GRUB boot loader"	
  - Select your single drive for the boot loader (typically "/dev/sda")	
  - Click Continue when asked to reboot	

=====Logging in for the first time=====	
  - At the "login:" prompt, type root.	
  - Type the password you chose while installing the OS	
====Removing CD-ROM from the list of repositories====	
Enter the following command to edit the list of repositories
<code>
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
</code>
  - Type a # sign at the beginning of the line containing "cdrom"	
  - Press Ctrl-O followed by the Enter key to save the file	
  - Press Ctrl-X to exit the editor	
  - Type the following command to install the sudo utility
<code>apt install sudo</code>
====Installing Blocks ====
While logged in as root, follow the instructions under [[https://github.com/pixilab/net-blocks|Install Blocks]]
  - Start with the command //sudo apt update//
  - Proceed with the remaining commands	
  - Once installation  stops and says "DONE!", give this command to set a password for the user under which blocks is run: //passwd blocks//
  - Enter the desired password for this user	
  - Obtain the IP address of your Blocks server by typing //ip a//
  - Make a note of the IP address shown for the en-something interface

====Using a Physical USB license key====
  - Plug your USB license key to a USB port on the VM host computer	
  - Select "Hardware" in the list for your VM	
  - Select "Add" and chose USB Device
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In the dialog box, select "Use USB Vendor/Device ID"	
{{ :blocks:server:proxmox:screenshot_2025-09-01_at_20.59.14.png?nolink |}}
  - Select WIBU-SYSTEMS AG CodeMeter-Stick"	
  - Click Add	

 ==== Using a cloud-based Blocks license ====	
Transfer the license file to the blocks user's home directory using a command like this:	
<code>scp <your-local-license-file> blocks@<ip-of-your-server>:~</code>
After logging in as the blocks user (see below), run the following command to install the license:	
<code> cmu --import --file <license-file-name></code> 
  - Return to the Console view	
  - Follow the instructions under "Enable the server, start now and on boot"	
  - Log in as the blocks user directly in the Console or	
  - Connect as the blocks user over SSH from another computer
<code>ssh blocks@<ip-address.-of-blocks-server></code> 
Verify that your license has been connected	
<code>cmu -l</code> 
  - Make sure your license's serial number appears	
  - Enable and start Blocks using this command
<code>systemctl --user enable --now blocks</code>