Proxmox-to-Cozystack migration moves virtualization workloads from Proxmox VE to Cozystack, the open-source cloud platform built on Kubernetes. It targets hosting providers, ISPs, and service-provider clouds that have outgrown Proxmox’s single-organization model and need a tenant model, a service catalog beyond plain VMs (managed databases, S3, Kubernetes tenancy, GPU), and production multi-cluster federation. Ænix, which created and co-maintains Cozystack, runs these migrations end-to-end: VM images convert from qcow2 into KubeVirt via CDI, a multi-tenant model is designed during migration using the Tenant CRD, and storage and networking are re-architected on LINSTOR/DRBD and Cilium. Cozystack is Apache 2.0 licensed with no per-CPU or per-core fees. For single-tenant deployments under 50 hosts, staying on Proxmox is the recommended choice.
Proxmox VE is excellent at SMB scale. When deployments grow into multi-tenant cloud builders or service-provider models, the operational model strains. Ænix runs Proxmox-to-Cozystack migrations end-to-end.
Pairs with: Ænix Public Cloud Platform — a complete public-cloud product for hosting providers and regional clouds outgrowing Proxmox: customer portal, billing and service catalog. WHMCS-integrated billing, multi-tenant Tenant CRD, productized installer. Support tiers from $1,250 per 10 nodes per month.
When migration makes sense
- Service-provider scale (multi-customer cloud) outgrowing Proxmox
- Multi-tenancy beyond Proxmox’s pools and ACLs (per-tenant quotas, networks and self-service)
- Service catalog beyond VMs (managed databases, S3, K8s tenancy, GPU)
- Production multi-cluster federation
- Regulated multi-tenant requirements
If your deployment is single-tenant and under 50 hosts — stay on Proxmox. The migration ROI doesn’t justify it.
Migration approach
VM image migration is straightforward (qcow2 → KubeVirt CDI). Tenant model: designed during migration, because Proxmox pools and ACLs do not map one-to-one onto Cozystack tenants. Storage and network are re-architected.
Proxmox VEqcow2 VM disksSingle-organization model
converts via
Migration pathKubeVirt CDI importTenant CRD multi-tenancy design
lands on
CozystackLINSTOR/DRBD storageCilium networking
Typical: a 14- or 28-day assessment, the platform live in weeks once hardware is ready, then 3-9 months to move workloads and customers.
Choosing the destination? See Proxmox alternative and Cozystack vs Proxmox, or the long read Proxmox vs VMware vs Cozystack.
Ænix created Cozystack (a CNCF Sandbox project) and co-maintains it with maintainers from other companies.
Frequently asked questions
When does migrating from Proxmox to Cozystack make sense?
It makes sense at service-provider scale, when you need multi-tenancy beyond Proxmox’s pools and ACLs, a service catalog beyond VMs (managed databases, S3, Kubernetes tenancy, GPU), production multi-cluster federation, or regulated multi-tenant isolation. Single-tenant deployments under about 50 hosts should stay on Proxmox.
How are Proxmox VMs migrated to Cozystack?
VM image migration is straightforward: qcow2 disks convert into KubeVirt using the Containerized Data Importer (CDI). The tenant model (per-tenant quotas, networks and services) is designed during migration, because Proxmox pools and ACLs do not map one-to-one onto it, and storage and networking are re-architected on Cozystack’s LINSTOR/DRBD and Cilium foundations.
How long does a Proxmox to Cozystack migration take?
A typical engagement starts with a fixed-price Platform Readiness Assessment of 14 or 28 days. The Ænix Public Cloud Platform installer gets the platform live in weeks once hardware is ready; moving workloads and customers over typically takes 3-9 months. The exact duration depends on workload count, multi-tenancy requirements, and storage and network re-architecture scope.
Does Cozystack require per-CPU or per-core licensing like commercial hypervisors?
No. Cozystack is open source under Apache 2.0 with no per-CPU or per-core licensing. Ænix sells a subscription — support, commercial modules such as billing and WHMCS integration, and services — not a licence. Support tiers for Ænix Public Cloud Platform and self-run Cozystack start at $1,250 per 10 nodes per month (Basic, billed annually).
What does Cozystack offer that Proxmox does not?
Cozystack unifies VMs and containers on a single Kubernetes API via KubeVirt, adds native multi-tenancy through the Tenant CRD, eBPF networking with Cilium, and LINSTOR/DRBD replicated storage, plus a service catalog with managed databases, S3, Kubernetes tenancy, and GPU support.
Who runs the migration?
Ænix, the company that created Cozystack and co-maintains it, runs the migration end-to-end, from assessment through implementation. Cozystack is a CNCF Sandbox project (its Incubation application is in due diligence), so the underlying platform is open source and not tied to a single vendor.
