last thing missing in your post is a complaint for slow migration on a 1gbit link…
you can complain as much as you want because proxmox is not vmware or you can embrace proxmox and make the effort to move/update/refresh your knowlwdge on to the new environment.
This is the way. 🤭
The second install should be easier since is done just after a test one.
Add a second node using the new drive, move all vm to the new node, decommission old node, rebuild the old node with the new drive.
You can get away with a disk clone but in my opinion a vm move is the proper way to go.
Adding a new node you start with a clean install, any quirk you have on the old hw will be finally washed away (or will bite you back and be properly documented), you have a quick way back should anything go sideways (the clone too provides a quick way back, but i like this way much more ^^), you get some hands on multi node experience that will be useful for ha setup.
Normal background noise. ssh is a well known protocol/port and scanning is automated.
Furry equipment FTW
https://fursonafy.com/fursuit-cooling-vests-everything-you-need-to-know/