Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) and Offline Backup Strategies
Simplify your data protection with Proxmox Backup Server. Discover how to manage efficient Proxmox offline backups, use deduplication to save storage, and build a resilient multi-site backup solution with ease.
Deduplication & Efficiency
PBS offers advanced block-level deduplication to minimize storage usage. In community tests, users report compressing terabytes of data down to just a fraction of the original size — one Reddit user reduced 11TB of lab VMs to only 84GB!
Offline & External Backups
Want air-gapped security? Configure Proxmox offline backups easily using USB drives or tape. The new run-on-mount feature in PBS 4.0 lets you sync automatically when a disk is connected — perfect for rotating drives or secure, disconnected storage.
Multi-Site & Cloud Sync
Use built-in PBS sync jobs to replicate data between datacenters or offices. Proxmox Backup Server now supports S3 storage for immutable, cloud-based backups — ensuring no ransomware can modify your backup sets.
Speed & Flexibility
Integrate with rclone or parallel sync utilities for high-speed transfers. Whether you're backing up locally, offsite, or to external disks, PBS provides unmatched flexibility and control.
Why Choose Proxmox Backup Server?
- ✓Incremental and deduplicated backups save bandwidth and space.
- ✓Built-in integrity checks and encryption for verifiable security.
- ✓Supports tape, S3, and external drives for offline storage.
- ✓Sync multiple PBS nodes for multi-location redundancy.
- ✓Simple web UI and command-line tools for automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Proxmox Backup Server different from Proxmox VE backups?
The built-in Proxmox VE backup tool only supports full backups. PBS adds incremental, deduplicated backups, integrity checks, and file-level restores — ideal for enterprise or homelab use.
2. How do I set up offline backups in PBS?
Use external USB drives or tapes with the run-on-mount feature to automatically sync when connected. Alternatively, rotate drives weekly for true air-gapped protection.
3. Can PBS back up to cloud services like S3?
Yes. PBS v4 introduced S3-compatible storage with immutable backups, preventing unauthorized modification or deletion of backup data.
4. How often should I run Proxmox sync jobs?
Most users schedule nightly syncs between their PBS servers to ensure each location — datacenter, office, and offsite — has up-to-date backups without overloading the network.
5. Is rclone better than rsync for Proxmox backups?
For large data sets, rclone can outperform rsync due to parallel transfer support and efficient retry logic. Many admins use it for additional offsite replication alongside PBS sync jobs.
Ready to Secure Your Proxmox Infrastructure?
Learn more about Proxmox VE and how PBS integrates seamlessly with your virtualization environment