You should be using Proxmox Backup Server

The disk, network, and computational savings are incredible with Proxmox Backup Server and you should be using it if you are running Proxmox VE. I used NFS for years and only now do I realize how inefficient that is. This is why I started using Proxmox Backup Server.

(Affiliate links may be included in this description. I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.)

00:00 - Why should I run Proxmox Backup Server?
00:54 - What is Proxmox Backup Server? (PBS)
01:57 - Installation
02:40 - Configuration
03:18 - Pruning and Garbage Collection
04:16 - Adding PBS to Proxmox VE
05:24 - Incremental Backups and Deduplication
06:34 - Comparing to NFS Backups
07:29 - File Level Backup & Restore
08:04 - Client Backups
08:28 - Bare Metal Restore?
08:45 - Backing up Proxmox VE Host
09:08 - Remote Synchronization
09:35 - Tape Backups
10:13 - Proxmox Backup Server is Back in my HomeLab!

#HomeLab #TechnoTim

Thank you for watching!

[michaelortega]

I think proxmox developers should integrate PBS into the Proxmox VE for better and more efficient management. IMHO.

[StephenDeTomasi]

A couple of things that don't get mentioned much:

1. PBS requires more CPU than you might expect. I have it running on an old Microserver with the Dual Core AMD CPU and only getting 25MB/s or so. The CPU does a lot of hashing and compression to get incremental backups working properly

2. PBS can be easily run in an LXC container within another PVE, no need to have it on dedicated hardware. This allows you to pass through ZFS Mount points

With all that said it's a fantastic platform and it adds a lot of functionality. Live restores are so quick and easy and can really save your butt.

[cpn]

I run PBS in a raspberry pi via docker. Works perfectly and it's a great use case for a raspi.

[monishm]

PSA: the default vzdump backup is not a proper error checking backup, if let's say you have RAM corruption you would never know your backups are also corrupted. I learned the hard way you will not be able to restore those backups.

PBS on the other hand is perfect and does backups in a way they cannot get corrupt.

So when you can always go for PBS do not rely on the pve vzdumps.

[lloydsshednanigans]

Amazing timing. I was looking for another project and went back over your older videos and did a PBS install just two days ago. I shall watch this one to see if I've missed something important but it's working very well and I LOVE the ability to restore files instead of the whole damn thing!

[hagner]

A note to PBS.
If you have a storage server like TrueNas, Unraid, OMV or the like, you can mount an NFS, SMB or another type, into PBS, and use that for the location for backups.
That also means you can have a PBS in each of your Proxmox servers connected to the same share, or whatever you like. So you could also put your backups in a TrueNAS cluster, so you have "cluster backup" which is AWESOME. Thanks for the video, even know I already knew all of this :)

[PolarRed]

I do a nightly backup just via PVE, without retention, and then have a full backup routine with retention Job Prune and GC using PBS, all backing up on the NAS through a NFS share. The PBS is on a VM on the Synology (a meager DS918+ with 8gb of RAM). Setting up the PBS VM was a breeze in DSM. I used 2 cores and 2gb of ram for the initial setup, script install and updating of PBS, and then dialed it back to 1 core and 1gb for the working setup, works a charm. I'm also running a PVE VM on the Synology to run as always on as the third node in my Mini Lab 2x Mini PC cluster, that VM is set at 1 core and 2gb, no issues there so far either! Now if I could only get the Task Manager to actually run a schedule script to start and stop the PBS VM in DSM on a schedule, and an easy way to backup the PVE environments, it would be pretty damned near perfect for my modest needs.

[JasonsLabVideos]

I do! Dedicated little HP machine with a 10tb drive in it Works awesome !! Good Video Tim!

[jeffherdz]

The three most important words in I.T. ....Backup, Backup, Backup.

[mikenorfleet]

In my lab I am running this and first got turned on to this backup solution from a great detailed tutorial from Jims Garage....My dedupe factor is currently 310, but I am doing some crazy stuff with taking snaps every 30min just so if I mess anything up, I just quickly revert to an old backup. Great for messing around in your lab without fear of losing anything really. Honestly no downsides. I also cannot wait for better clients in the future for better bare metal restores and backup other OS and hosts.

[JohnWalsh-uwcj]

I always enjoy your content. I took some time today to set up PBS to run as a VM on my Synology NAS. I'm looking forward to seeing the space-saving benefits!

[romayojr]

i was just thinking how i could reclaim some space from my truenas share lol. now i have a reason to start using PBS - thanks tim!

[fvigo]

Just what I needed as I'm at that crossroads with my backup and I wanted to go the route of using a PBS or continue doing the backups from within VE on my NUC.

[nalle]

I so agree with you. After just testing out the first generation of BPS I have been using it. Running 3 of them now to be able to test all of the features. One is a hybrid, a PVE and then installed on top the PBS, it’s Debian. Used the wiki/documentation for setting it up and after a year I have had no issues nor any problems.

[DonaldMolter]

I love PBS. I’ve had it in operation since setting up my first PVE host and actually used this in favor of building a cluster because I didn’t have enough stuff running to justify a cluster. With that said I’m up to 3 PVE machines but still continue to use PBS on the regular and it’s saved me several times.

[EpicLPer]

I would just set up Veeam as they recently introduced Proxmox backups. Currently trying to set it up, tho running into some issues still. But this way I only have 1 backup server for both Windows and Linux VMs, even if I need to use their agent due to PCI passthrough. With PBS it's "technically" possible but not ideal...

[Vampier]

I set it up over a year ago - it’s been so helpful a few times already.

[cptlooney]

Good follow up Video, Thanks Tim. Was good to compare your settings against mine and test adjustments

[NotAnITGuy]

I have just implemented this myself, im backing up to a truenas NFS share mounted in the PBS vm, then backing those up to tape which is also passed through. Has saved me so much space!

[DrunkAS]

My favorite feature is LIVE restore of VM. I have my pfsense router as a vm in my proxmox. More then once I have screwed up a setting and could not figure out what I did, I had to restore from back up. While I can use a back up of a config, I would have to be smart enough to back up config before I mess around. I have backups every other day on PBS, so when I screw something up, I just live restore from yesterday or day before. Now my wife and kids don't come complain about no internet while backup is being done, because ITS LIVE. I'm sure I'll find other uses sooner then later.