The Proxmox Backup Server is an open source backup software project that supports virtual machines, containers, and physical hosts. Based on the Debian Linux distribution, it comes with out-of-the-box ZFS support. We look at its key features and benefits.
The Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) is a powerful, enterprise-grade backup solution designed to integrate seamlessly with the Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE). This integration offers numerous benefits, from efficient data backup to advanced security features, making it an ideal choice for IT managers already using the standalone ProxmoxVE to cluster, which has many nodes of ProxmoxVE. There are quite a few reasons for using PBS. Some of these are discussed here.
Seamless integration with Proxmox VE
Proxmox Backup Server is fully integrated with Proxmox VE, ensuring a streamlined and cohesive experience for managing virtual machine (VM) and container backups. This integration allows users to easily add PBS datastores and run backups just like any other Proxmox VE storage type. The tight integration also supports features such as live-restore, which allows VMs to start running as soon as the restore process begins, minimising downtime and enhancing productivity.
Efficient incremental and deduplicated backups
One of the standout features of Proxmox Backup Server is its support for incremental backups and deduplication. Incremental backups only store changes made since the last backup, significantly reducing storage requirements and network load. Deduplication further optimises storage usage by eliminating duplicate data across backups. This efficiency is achieved through the Proxmox File Archive Format (.pxar) and QEMU dirty bitmaps, ensuring fast and storage-efficient backups.
Fast and space-efficient compression
Proxmox Backup Server employs Zstandard compression, capable of compressing several gigabytes of data per second. This high-speed compression ensures that backups are not only quick but also space-efficient, saving valuable storage resources. The combination of incremental backups, deduplication, and efficient compression makes PBS a robust solution for managing large volumes of data with minimal storage overhead.
Enhanced data security
Data security is paramount in any IT environment, and Proxmox Backup Server excels in this area with strong client-side encryption using AES-256 in Galois/Counter Mode (GCM). This encryption ensures that data remains secure before it even reaches the backup server, making it useless for unauthorised persons. Additionally, PBS supports the use of master keys and secure storage of encryption keys, adding another layer of protection for sensitive data.
Ransomware protection
PBS has several features designed to protect against ransomware. Off-server with tape backup and offsite remote synchronisation capabilities enable recovery even in the event of a ransomware attack. Moreover, the system uses SHA-256 checksums and verification jobs to detect potential ransomware threats. By ensuring that existing blocks of data are not rewritten, PBS minimises the risk of data corruption and loss due to ransomware.
Quick and granular restore options
The server offers fast and straightforward restore options through its intuitive GUI. Users can quickly search for and restore individual files, directories, or entire archives. The ability to download restored data as compressed archives further enhances the flexibility and convenience of the restore process. These granular restore options make it easy to recover specific data without restoring entire backups, saving time and resources.
Flexible retention policies
The Proxmox Backup Server provides flexible retention policies that can be scheduled from the server or triggered manually from the client. The built-in Prune Simulator allows users to visualise and fine-tune retention settings, ensuring that backups are intelligently thinned out over time. This flexibility helps manage storage space effectively while maintaining the necessary historical backups for compliance and recovery purposes.
Enterprise-grade features
Designed with enterprise-grade features to meet the needs of large-scale IT environments, including two factor authentication, PBS supports secure backup and storage on-premises and remotely, with no vendor lock-in. For advanced users, the command line interface (CLI) and REST API offer powerful tools for integrating and automating backup processes. The solution is written in Rust, offering performance, speed, and memory efficiency. Additionally, PBS supports tape backup, enabling long-term archival and reliable data recovery options.
User-friendly management interface
Managing Proxmox Backup Server is straightforward, thanks to its integrated web-based user interface. The GUI provides comprehensive management capabilities, including datastore organisation, performance monitoring, backup task management, and usage statistics. The interface also supports the configuration of network settings, user permissions, remote stores, and subscriptions, making it accessible and manageable for IT experts and novices alike.
Proxmox Backup Server, when used with Proxmox VE, provides a robust, secure, and efficient backup solution for IT managers. Its seamless integration, efficient data handling, advanced security features, and user-friendly management make it an invaluable tool for protecting virtual environments. By leveraging the powerful capabilities of PBS, IT managers can ensure the safety and availability of critical data with minimal effort and maximum reliability.
