While Proxmox does offer a CT template for Nextcloud, it’s difficult to evaluate how well it fits a user’s long-term needs without knowing the specific use case. On the surface, the CT template may seem like a quick and convenient way to deploy Nextcloud, but in reality, it introduces several limitations and hidden pitfalls that are important to consider.
What are the potential drawbacks of using a Proxmox CT template for Nextcloud?
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Limited control over software versions:
Most CT templates come with a pre-installed stack (e.g. Apache, PHP, MariaDB), which might include outdated versions of PHP or Nextcloud itself. This can make future upgrades more difficult or even unsupported without complex manual work. -
Pre-configured setups may not match your needs:
Templates are created with generic settings that may not align with your use case. If you need additional PHP modules, a different web server, custom security settings, or database tuning, it can be complicated to adjust the container environment. -
Unclear update responsibility:
When using a CT template, it’s not always obvious how updates should be handled. Should you update Nextcloud manually? Is the template itself maintained regularly? Users may find themselves stuck between trying to upgrade parts of the stack while fearing that doing so could break the template’s internal logic. -
File system and permission issues:
Since LXC containers use the host’s kernel, certain features like advanced file system permissions, NFS/CIFS mounts, and FUSE-based file systems may behave differently or be restricted altogether. -
Troubleshooting limitations:
Compared to full VMs, LXC containers can complicate debugging, especially when system-level packages need to be changed or reconfigured. Some logs and tools behave differently or are simply not available. -
Security boundaries:
Especially in unprivileged containers, you might encounter limitations with external integrations like Collabora Online, Full Text Search (Elasticsearch), or HPB (High-Performance Backend for Talk), due to missing system capabilities or AppArmor restrictions.
Why I prefer a VM with Ubuntu Server 24.04 + Nextcloud AIO:
Based on my own experience, running Nextcloud All-in-One inside a dedicated VM gives you full control, flexibility, and peace of mind:
- A VM behaves like a real server, so you avoid all container-related limitations.
- The AIO package simplifies setup and maintenance while ensuring best practices and up-to-date components.
- Ubuntu Server 24.04 is stable, well-documented, and works perfectly with the AIO Docker setup.
- You gain flexibility to integrate advanced features like object storage, external authentication, video calls, and backup automation – all without compatibility issues.
Real forum examples of LXC-related issues:
To back this up, here are some actual problems users ran into when deploying Nextcloud in Proxmox LXC containers:
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Broken web interface after restoring an LXC backup
→ Nextcloud not working after Proxmox LXC container backup restore -
NFS mount permission problems inside an LXC container
→ Proxmox LXC container NFS share mounted to LXC container for data directory -
High-performance backend and Collabora issues in unprivileged CTs
→ HPB and Collabora Online server are not working
Conclusion
Although the CT template might look tempting for a quick deployment, it comes with too many uncertainties when it comes to customizability, long-term maintenance, and advanced Nextcloud features. For serious usage, I strongly recommend going with a VM running Ubuntu Server 24.04 and installing Nextcloud AIO via Docker. This approach has been 100% reliable for me and offers full compatibility with everything Nextcloud supports.