How to backup Proxmox VE (Cluster)

While Proxmox Backup Server may appear to be a convenient option, it still requires additional infrastructure, costly support, and lacks built-in immutable protection—leaving your data vulnerable to ransomware, tampering, and accidental deletion. On the other hand, Ahsay provides a safer, more complete alternative with centralized management, automated BackupAssistant deployment, multi-destination backup to cloud and local storage, and built-in deduplication and optimization.

In this video, you’ll learn how to fully protect your Proxmox cluster with AhsayCBS. Folow the steps below:

A. Create a Proxmox VE Backup Set

1. Login to the AhsayCBS web management console.
2. Go to User > Backup Set and click plus (+) sign.
3. Select Proxmox VE Backup as the Backup Set Type.
4. Read and follow instructions. Click the provided link “Download script for backup assistant VM deployment” to download the BackupAssistant (AVM) script.

B. Deploy BackupAssistant (AVM) on Each Node

1. Use a third-party file transfer tool (e.g., WinSCP) to upload the "DeployAVM.sh" script to the "/root" folder on the first node using Proxmox VE Cluster root credentials.
2. Login to the Proxmox web interface using root credentials.
3. Select the node where you uploaded the "DeployAVM.sh" script and open Shell.
4. Run the "DeployAVM.sh" script and press Y to proceed with default settings.
5. Enter the root password when prompted and wait for the AVM to be downloaded and created on Proxmox.
6. After the BackupAssistant is successfully created, confirm the AVM is listed in the VM list.
7. Wait for the initializing phase to finish until it reaches the "CLD" status.
8. After connecting to first node, return to AhsayCBS and click Confirm.
9. A default Proxmox backup set will be automatically created. Click on the backup set to view the General Settings and confirm if first node is connected.
10. Repeat the same steps for each additional node in the cluster.

C. Backup Set Configuration

1. General Settings
   1. You may rename the backup set.
   2. If you need to update the SSH port or API port:
      1. (1) Go to General Settings.
      2. (2) Double-click the node’s corresponding AVM.
      3. (3) Enter the root password.
      4. (4) Modify the ports as required and click Save.
2. Backup Source (VMs / Disks)
   1. Go to Source.
   2. All VMs from all nodes will appear in one list and are selected by default.
   3. Tick off "Proxmox VE" to deselect ALL VMs and tick the checkboxes of VMs and/or disks you intend to backup.

3. Schedule

   1. Go to Backup Schedule and click Add.
   2. Select if Full or Incremental (uses Changed Block Tracking).
   3. Set your desired schedule.
   4. Click the Add (+) button to save.

   Note: Due to Proxmox limitations, a full backup will automatically run, even when incremental is selected if a VM has been shut down or restarted (as the bitmaps for RAW and VMDK disks are deleted, preventing CBT from identifying changed data).

4. Destination
   1. Under Destination, switch Backup Mode to Concurrent if selecting more than one destination.
   2. Select your preferred offsite destination such as AhsayCBS, cloud, or FTP/SFTP.
   3. Add a Local Destination (SMB/CIFS path) for faster recovery (if required).
      1. Click the Plus (+) icon again to add another destination.
      2. Select Local Destination.
      3. Rename the destination (e.g., Local Storage).
      4. Keep SMB Share Path selected.
      5. Enter the destination path for the SMB shared drive.
      6. Tick the checkbox to enter credentials for the SMB share drive (if required).
      7. Keep Auto selected for the version.
      8. Click the Add (+) button to confirm.
5. Optimization Settings
   1. Click Others.
   2. Deduplication: Enabled by default.
   3. Retention: Set desired retention policy.
   4. MFT: All MFT settings are enabled by default: “Exclude deleted files” and “Exclude swap files”.
   5. Compression: Use default (Fast with local optimization).
   6. Encryption: Click Unmask Encryption Key and keep a copy in a safe place.
   7. File Viewer: Enable the checkbox for verification before running a backup job.
   8. Click Save.

D. Run and Monitor Backup

1. On the Backup Set page, select Backup and click Run. For the first backup job, you can leave the Backup Type on Incremental, as a full backup will automatically be run by default.
2. Click the Run Backup icon below.
3. Confirm the job is running in the backup status column. It will show the status “Backup is running”.
4. Go to Home > Live Activities to monitor progress.

E. Verify Backup Results

1. After completion, open Report and confirm status is OK.
2. If needed, download the PDF report (available after 10–15 minutes).
3. Use File Viewer to verify backed up VMs and disks.