The key to stable virtualization environment operation is systematic backup! We will teach you step-by-step how to safely protect VM/CT by utilizing the powerful backup system of Proxmox VE (virtualization environment). — ### 🛠️ Prerequisites 1. Proxmox VE installation complete (at least version 8.x recommended) 2. Secure backup storage space – Local disk, NFS, CIFS, PBS (Proxmox Backup Server), etc. – Example: Allocate 500GB to the /backup directory — ### 📦 1. Add backup storage Proxmox supports various storages. Set it up with Web UI! #### Example of adding a local directory bash # Connect to the node via SSH and create a directory mkdir -p /mnt/backup chown root:root /mnt/backup 1. Access Web UI > Data Center > Storage > Add 2. Type: Select Directory – ID: local-backup (random name) – Directory: /mnt/backup – Content Type: Check VZDump Backup File ✅ – Additional Options: Max Backups=5 (Maximum number of files to store) > 💡 When adding NFS/CIFS > – Type: Select NFS/CIFS > – Enter the server IP and shared path (Example: 192.168. 1. 100:/backup) — ### ⚙️ 2. Set up a backup job (Schedule) Reduce management burden with Automated backups! 1. Select VM/CT > Backup tab > Create 2. Set backup options – Mode: Snapshot (downtime ⬇️) – Compression: ZSTD (↑ performance-efficient) – Storage: local-backup (storage added in step 1) 3. Scheduling – Click Schedule button > Select Weekly – Day of week: Sunday – Time: 02:00 (low traffic time) > 🌟 Advanced options > – Exclude unnecessary directories with --exclude-path (e.g. /tmp/*) > – Set Mail notification: Notify the administrator on failure — ### 🔍 3. Check and Manage Backups #### Backup File Location bash ls -lh /mnt/backup/dump/ # Output Example: vm-100-dump-2024_07_21-02_00_02.vma.zst #### Check in Web UI – Repository > local-backup > Backup tab – View List, Download, Delete available — ### 🚨 4. Recovery Test (Required!) Backup is all about Recovery! 1. Stop VM > Click Restore button 2. Set Options – Repository: local-backup – VMID: Assign a new ID (to prevent conflict with existing one) – Start Immediately: No (Manual start after verification is recommended) 3. Verification Items – Data Integrity – Network Settings – Normal Service Operation > ⚠️ Caution: Ensure backup reliability with monthly recovery tests! — ### 🚀 5. Advanced Configuration Tips #### Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) Integration – Supports Centralized Management & Incremental Backup bash # Add PBS repository pvesm add pbs <repository name> --server --datastore <backup_datastore> --username #### Running a backup with the CLI bash # Backup VM 100 immediately vzdump 100 --compress zstd --mode snapshot --storage local-backup #### Why use ZSTD instead of GZip | mode | compression ratio | speed | CPU usage | |——–|——–|——-|———–| | GZip | medium | slow | medium | | ZSTD | high | fast | low | — ### 💎 Conclusion: Backup Strategy Checklist 1. Follow the 3-2-1 principle – 3 copies → 2 on different media → 1 offsite 2. Encryption settings – Apply AES-256 as Encryption Key when adding a repository 3. Monitoring – Keep the backup list up-to-date with pveam update 4. Consider introducing PBS – In large-scale environments, efficiency increases ↑ > with a dedicated backup server 🔥 Key: Backups are only worth it when they are recoverable! Be sure to run a recovery test every month. Proxmox's powerful backup system enables 5-minute recovery in the event of a disaster. Set it up now and build a secure infrastructure! 💪 D
