Perform a test backup on Proxmox VE (AMBaaS version)

August 17, 2026

Please use the following steps to back up Proxmox VE virtual machines using Ahsay Managed Backup-as-a-Service (AMBaaS).

  1. Go to ahsay.com.
  2. Click Free Trial.
  3. Fill in your name, email address, closest city, and preferred personalized URL, then click Submit.

a. Sign in to the AMBaaS Management Console

  1. Open the Ahsay Product Evaluation Request email and click the link to the AMBaaS management console.
  2. Sign in using the preconfigured backup user account provided in the email.
    • Take note: The email also contains an administrator account for managing backup users.
  3. Click User, go to Backup Set, and click Add.
  4. Select Proxmox VE as the backup set type.

b. Deploy the BackupAssistant (AVM)

  1. Read the provided instructions and download the AVM installation script.
    • The AVM is a Debian Linux virtual machine containing the AhsayOBM backup agent for backup and restore operations.
  2. Using a file transfer application (ex. WinSCP), sign in to the Proxmox VE server with the root account and upload the script.
  3. In the Proxmox VE web interface, select the node, open Shell, run the script, and press Enter.
  4. Review the BackupAssistant configuration, including the server address, VM ID, VM name, and backup host.
    • The default VM name is BackupAssistant.
  5. Enter N to customize the settings, C to cancel, or Y/[enter] to continue with the defaults.
  6. Enter the Proxmox VE root password and wait for the AVM to be deployed.
  7. After deployment, verify that the BackupAssistant appears in the Proxmox VE virtual machine list.
    • Allow approximately 5 to 10 minutes for initialization and monitor the status from the VM notes.
  8. Once the status changes to CLD, return to the AMBaaS management console and click Confirm.

c. Configure the Proxmox VE Backup Set

  1. Open the automatically created Proxmox VE backup set and verify that the BackupAssistant is connected.
  2. Under General, review the backup set name, Proxmox VE server, version, and AVM.
    • Only one AVM can be deployed per Proxmox VE server for each user.
  3. Open Source and select the virtual machines and virtual disks to back up.
  4. Open Backup Schedule and click Add.
    • Select Full Backup or Incremental Backup.
      • Full backup protects all data blocks, while incremental backup uses CBT to back up changed data blocks.
    • Select Incremental and create a daily schedule at 18:00.
      • Take note: Proxmox VE resets raw and VMDK disk bitmaps when VMs are shut down or restarted, which automatically triggers a full backup.
      • Click Add to save the schedule.
  5. Open Destination and change the backup mode to Concurrent.
    • Take note: It is recommended to select Concurrent when using more than one destination to allow simultaneous backup job.
    • Click Add and select Ahsay Drive.
    • Click Add again and configure a local destination (SMB share).
      • A local destination enables faster virtual machine recovery than cloud storage.
      • Enter the SMB directory and access credentials, select a version, and click Save.
  6. Open Deduplication and keep it enabled to reduce duplicate data, storage usage, bandwidth, and backup time.
  7. Open Retention Policy and set the retention period to 30 days.
  8. Under Others, review the MFT Settings, Compression, Encryption, and File Viewer options.
    • Keep Exclude deleted files from backups and Exclude swap files from backups enabled for Windows VMs and NTFS partitions.
    • Keep the default Compression setting.
    • Review Encryption and securely save the encryption key after clicking Unmask encryption key.
      • The encryption key cannot be viewed again or changed later without creating a new backup set.
    • Enable File Viewer to browse and verify backed-up virtual machines.
    • Click Save.
  9. Return to the backup set page, select Backup, and click Run.
  10. Click Run Backup to start the backup.
    • The first backup runs as a full backup even when incremental backup is selected because no previous backup exists.
  11. Go to Home > Live Activities and monitor the backup under Backup Status.
  12. Click the backup job to view its progress and details.
  13. After the backup finishes, return to the backup set and open Report.
  14. Verify that the status is OK.
  15. Select the completed job and click Download Report to view the PDF report.
    • The download option becomes available approximately 10 to 15 minutes after the backup finishes.
  16. Open File Viewer and select the destination you want to browse.
  17. Open the backup set and verify that all selected virtual machines and virtual disks are present.
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