Proxmox 3-Node Cluster with TrueNAS H20 — Case Study

At DATAZONE, we take pride in providing our clients with tailored IT solutions that are not only powerful but also future-proof. A recently completed project for one of our clients — a mid-sized manufacturing company — demonstrates how we achieve impressive results using cutting-edge technology and our open-source approach. In this case study, we would like to give you an insight into this exciting project, in which we deployed a Proxmox 3-node cluster in combination with TrueNAS H20 storage.

The Starting Point: Migration from VMware to Proxmox

Our client previously used a VMware cluster that was functional but increasingly reaching its limits. Licence costs were rising steadily, and flexibility left much to be desired. At the same time, the need for a highly available, fast, and secure infrastructure that could keep pace with the company’s growing demands was increasing. After a thorough consultation, the client chose to migrate to an open-source-based solution with Proxmox — and DATAZONE as the implementation partner.

The Solution: A Proxmox 3-Node Cluster with TrueNAS H20 Storage

We built a highly available (HA) Proxmox 3-node cluster for the client, forming the foundation for a scalable and robust virtualisation environment. Proxmox offers not only a free open-source solution but also an intuitive user interface and powerful features for managing virtual machines (VMs). The migration of existing VMs from the VMware cluster was seamless — thanks to our experience, we were able to reduce downtime to an absolute minimum.

For the storage requirements, we implemented a TrueNAS H20 storage solution that excels in reliability and performance. TrueNAS H20 delivers not only high storage capacity but also advanced features such as ZFS file systems that ensure data integrity and protection against data loss. To further enhance security, we set up an additional storage unit that replicates the TrueNAS H20 snapshots. This ensures the client is well protected even in the event of a hardware failure or other emergency.

High-Speed Network with MikroTik Switches

To interconnect the Proxmox cluster nodes and storage systems, we deployed two MikroTik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM switches with 100 Gbit/s. These switches provide not only extremely high bandwidth but also the stability needed for a highly available environment. The combination of speed and redundancy ensures that data is transferred between systems at lightning speed — a decisive advantage for the performance of the client’s virtual machines and applications.

Backup and Security with Proxmox Backup Server

Another highlight of the project is the integration of the Proxmox Backup Server. This powerful tool enables efficient and secure backups of the entire cluster. Incremental backups significantly reduce storage requirements and backup times, while data encryption provides additional security. Our client can rest assured that their data is always available and protected — even in a worst-case scenario.

The Result: A Future-Proof Infrastructure

After project completion, the client was thrilled. The new infrastructure delivers not only significantly higher performance than the old VMware cluster but also unmatched flexibility and security. The combination of Proxmox, TrueNAS H20, and MikroTik switches exceeded the client’s expectations: virtual machines run more stably and faster, fault tolerance is ensured through the HA cluster and replicated snapshots, and backups run fully automatically and reliably in the background.

The Client’s Feedback

“DATAZONE not only delivered a technically first-class solution but also managed the entire migration process so that our business operations were barely impacted,” reports the client’s IT director. “The new infrastructure gives us the security and speed we need for our growth — at a fraction of the cost we previously spent on VMware licences. We feel we are in the best hands with DATAZONE!”

Why DATAZONE Is the Right Partner

This project demonstrates how DATAZONE uses open-source technologies to create powerful and cost-effective solutions tailored precisely to our clients’ needs. Our team has not only the technical expertise but also the experience to deliver complex projects like this smoothly. We accompany our clients from planning through implementation to long-term support — so you can focus on your core business.

Would you also like to benefit from a modern, secure, and scalable IT infrastructure? Contact us at DATAZONE — we look forward to taking your IT to the next level!