Accops Digital Workspace + Proxmox: Open-Source Virtualization for VDI

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) has long helped IT teams deliver secure, scalable access to applications and desktops. Yet, the cost and rigidity of proprietary virtualization platforms have made this journey increasingly complex for many organisations. 

With HyWorks version 3.6 and later, Accops Digital Workspace now adds native support for Proxmox VE version 8.1.0, giving IT teams a powerful, open-source alternative for deploying and managing their virtual desktops. This integration enables enterprises to combine the agility of open-source virtualization with the enterprise-grade orchestration and policy control of HyWorks — creating a cost-efficient, vendor-neutral foundation for modern digital workspaces. 

Why Proxmox for VDI? 

For years, most virtual desktop deployments have relied on proprietary hypervisors that lock organisations into specific ecosystems. These platforms work well but come with steep licensing fees, limited hardware flexibility, and complex renewal models. 

Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE) changes that dynamic. Built on KVM-based virtualization , Proxmox delivers a transparent, open-source virtualization layer that runs on commodity x86 hardware. When combined with HyWorks, it brings the same flexibility to desktop delivery — without compromising enterprise standards for manageability, security, and performance. 

Designed for Modern IT Realities 

Accops’ integration with Proxmox is built for environments that demand performance and control without vendor lock-in. The setup supports standard x86_64 servers with Intel VT-x or AMD-V CPUs and allows administrators to use local, NFS, SMB, iSCSI, LVM, Ceph, or ZFS storage. 

Connectivity is handled via port 8006, with HyWorks managing all VM operations, provisioning, and power actions through Proxmox APIs. In clustered setups, only one Proxmox node per cluster is configured in HyWorks — ensuring streamlined control and consistent visibility. 

For environments where downtime is not an option, features like High Availability, Live Migration, and Ceph Storage Integration ensure business continuity even if a node fails. 

Streamlined Management with HyWorks 

The integration between HyWorks and Proxmox allows administrators to manage the full lifecycle of virtual desktops — from provisioning to monitoring — through a single console. 

Key capabilities include: 

• Full and Linked Clones: Deliver persistent or non-persistent desktops as required. 
• Snapshot & Restore: Provide temporary rollback points for testing updates or configuration changes. 
• Session-less VM Provisioning: Automate power management and capacity planning. 
• Comprehensive OS Support: Windows 10/11; Windows Server 2016–2022; Ubuntu 18–22; and RHEL 7.9/9.4. 
• HyLabs Integration: Enable seamless lab management and provisioning for educational or testing environments. 

While KVM-based virtualization is fully supported, LXC containers and nested virtualization remain excluded for now — allowing Accops to focus on providing a stable and predictable VDI experience. 

Setting It Up: What IT Teams Should Know 

To integrate Proxmox successfully, administrators need a dedicated Proxmox user account with privileges to create, modify, and manage VMs, snapshots, and datastores. The account must include permissions like VM.Monitor, VM.Clone, VM.PowerMgmt, Datastore.Allocate, and VM.Config.*. 

On virtual machines used as gold masters or dynamic virtual desktops (DVMs), QEMU Guest Agents must be installed. These agents enable seamless communication between guest and host, ensuring accurate power state reporting, performance tracking, and provisioning. 

Without these agents or correct permissions, certain actions — such as power operations or desktop retrieval — may not execute properly. 

Why This Matters for IT and Business Leaders 

For administrators, Proxmox support in HyWorks simplifies day-to-day operations, providing a familiar interface for VM provisioning and policy enforcement without the licensing constraints of commercial hypervisors. 

For business leaders, it’s a strategic step toward cost optimisation and technological sovereignty. By leveraging open-source infrastructure, enterprises can reduce dependency on single vendors, optimise TCO, and align IT budgets with real growth priorities — all while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability. 

In short, this integration bridges two worlds: open-source agility and enterprise discipline. 

Bringing It All Together 

With HyWorks v3.6+ and Proxmox VE 8.1.0, organisations can now run fully managed, policy-controlled VDI environments using open-source virtualization — complete with automated provisioning, multi-OS support, high availability, and unified administration. 

It’s an opportunity to rethink virtualization — not as a locked ecosystem, but as a flexible, transparent platform that grows with the business. 

Quick Reference: Key Terms