How to backup Proxmox VE (Standalone)

Using Proxmox Backup Server may seem free, but it still requires costly investments in hardware, storage, infrastructure, and paid technical support. The lack of built-in immutability also leaves your backup data vulnerable to ransomware and unauthorized changes.

This video provides instructions on how to protect your Proxmox VE (Standalone) environment more securely and cost-effectively using AhsayOBM. Use 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 the plus (+) sign.
3. Select Proxmox VE Backup as the Backup Set Type.
4. Read and follow instructions. Click the link “Download script for backup assistant VM deployment” to download the BackupAssistant (AVM) script.

B. Deploy BackupAssistant (AVM) to Proxmox Server

1. Use a third-party file transfer tool (e.g. WinSCP) to upload the "DeployAVM.sh" script to the "/root" folder on the node using Proxmox VE server root credentials.
2. Login to the Proxmox web interface using root credentials.
3. Select the node where you uploaded the "deployAVM.sh" script to 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 successfullu created, confirm the AVM is listed in the VM list.

7. Wait for the initializing phase to finish until it reaches the "CLD" status.

   Note: This will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes before it connects to your user account on AhsayCBS.

8. After connecting, 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 Proxmox server is connected.

C. Backup Set Configuration

1. General Settings
   1. You may rename the backup set.
   2. If you need to update the SSH or API port:
      1. Go to General Settings.
      2. Double-click the node’s AVM.
      3. Enter the root password.
      4. Modify the ports and click Save.
2. Backup Source (VMs / Disks)
   1. Go to Source.
   2. 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.
5. Optimization Settings
   1. Click Others.
   2. Deduplication: Enabled by default.
   3. Retention: Set desired retention policy.
   4. Compression: Use default (Fast with local optimization)
   5. Encryption: Click Unmask Encryption Key and keep a copy in a safe place.
   6. File Viewer: Enable the checkbox for verification before running a backup job.
   7. 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.