Have you ever been frustrated by having to log in to your Proxmox server every time you access it? I certainly was. So, I decided to find a way to extend the session timeout using Nginx Proxy Manager. In this guide, I’ll show you how you can do the same, keeping your sessions active longer and making your life a bit easier.

Why Extend Proxmox Session Timeout?

If you’re like me and use Proxmox through a reverse proxy like Nginx Proxy Manager, you might find it annoying to enter your login credentials frequently. By extending the session timeout, you can stay logged in to the Proxmox Web GUI for longer periods, enhancing your workflow efficiency.

Understanding the Nginx Proxy Manager Configuration

Nginx Proxy Manager is a convenient tool for managing your reverse proxy settings through a user-friendly interface. To extend the session timeout and ensure proper WebSocket support for Proxmox, we’ll need to adjust some settings in the Nginx Proxy Manager.

Setting the Proxy Headers

First, we need to ensure that the client’s IP and forwarded data are correctly passed through. You can do this by adding the following headers:

proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;

Configuring WebSocket Settings

Proxmox uses WebSocket connections for real-time updates. To support this, include these settings:

proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection "Upgrade";

Setting Connection Timeouts

To prevent timeouts and keep the session alive longer, adjust the read and send timeouts:

proxy_read_timeout 36000s;
proxy_send_timeout 36000s;

Adjusting SSL for Self-Signed Certificates

If you’re using self-signed SSL certificates, you might need to disable SSL verification:

proxy_ssl_verify off;

Keeping the Connection Alive

To ensure the connection remains persistent and prevent disconnections, add these headers:

proxy_set_header Connection keep-alive;
proxy_set_header Keep-Alive timeout=30;

Ensuring Session Cookie Persistence

Maintain login sessions by ensuring session cookies are passed correctly:

proxy_cookie_path / "/; secure; HttpOnly; SameSite=None";

Optional: Preventing Connection Header Overwriting

To prevent the Connection header from being overwritten, which ensures stability, you can include:

proxy_set_header Connection "";
💡
You can copy this entire block directly into your Nginx Proxy Manager for easy setup!

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing the Configuration

Now that we’ve gone over the configurations, let’s implement them step by step.

Step 1: Access Nginx Proxy Manager

First, log in to your Nginx Proxy Manager admin panel. If you’re not sure how to access it, you can usually reach it by navigating to http://<your-server-ip>:81 in your browser.

Step 2: Edit Your Proxmox Domain Proxy Host

Find the proxy host entry for your Proxmox server (e.g., proxmox.<your-domain>.com) and click on it to edit.

Step 3: Add Custom Configuration

In the Custom Locations field, paste the entire block of code we discussed earlier:

proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;

proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection "Upgrade";

proxy_read_timeout 36000s;
proxy_send_timeout 36000s;

proxy_ssl_verify off;

proxy_set_header Connection keep-alive;
proxy_set_header Keep-Alive timeout=30;

proxy_cookie_path / "/; secure; HttpOnly; SameSite=None";

proxy_set_header Connection "";
💪
Ensure that the Advanced tab is left empty to avoid conflicting settings.

Step 4: Save and Test

Click Save to apply the changes. Then, test your Proxmox Web GUI to see if it remains accessible and keeps you logged in for extended periods.

✔️
Congratulations! You’ve successfully extended your Proxmox session timeout using Nginx Proxy Manager.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

A person configuring settings on a computer, representing extending session timeouts in Nginx Proxy Manager
A developer extending session timeouts in Nginx

If you run into any issues, here are some common problems and their solutions.

Proxmox Web GUI Not Loading

If the Proxmox interface doesn’t load after applying the settings, double-check the configuration code for any typos or missing semicolons.

Still Getting Logged Out Frequently

If you’re still being logged out, ensure that the session cookies are being handled correctly. The proxy_cookie_path directive is crucial for this.

❌
If problems persist, consider reverting the changes or seeking help from Proxmox and Nginx communities.

Additional Tips

Here are some extra pointers to enhance your Proxmox and Nginx Proxy Manager experience.

Securing Your Connection

Always ensure your connections are secure, especially when exposing services like Proxmox over the internet. Use valid SSL certificates whenever possible.

Regular Backups

Before making significant changes, it’s wise to back up your Nginx Proxy Manager configurations and Proxmox settings.

By following these steps, you’ve not only extended your Proxmox session timeout but also improved your overall server management efficiency.

If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to leave a comment below. I’m always happy to help out fellow enthusiasts!

Conclusion

Extending the session timeout for Proxmox using Nginx Proxy Manager is a straightforward process that can save you time and hassle. By adjusting a few settings, you can keep your sessions active longer and enjoy a smoother experience managing your virtual environments.

Thank you for reading, and I hope this guide has been helpful. Happy computing!

Categorized in:

Cloud, Proxmox, Servers, Tech, Tutorials,