Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) is a purpose-built backup solution for Proxmox VE environments — and any Linux host you want to protect. It stores backups as incremental chunks, applies client-side encryption and deduplication, and supports both object-lock immutability and Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) rotation for long-term retention. Every backup is verified. Every restore is testable.
Key features
Chunk-based deduplication
Variable-size chunking across all backups in a datastore. Backing up similar VMs or incrementals of the same VM shares chunks — dramatically reducing storage consumed over time.
Client-side encryption
AES-256-GCM encryption is applied on the client before transmission. The server stores only encrypted chunks — a compromised backup server cannot expose your data.
Immutable backups
Object-lock "Fixed Index" mode prevents backup modification or deletion for a defined retention period — a critical ransomware defence. Compliant with air-gap and WORM requirements.
GFS retention policies
Configurable daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly retention keeps your backup history under control without manual intervention. Policy is enforced per datastore.
Remote sync & tape/tape-equivalent
Replicate datastores to a second PBS instance over the network for offsite copies. Supports remote pull and push. Tape backup (LTO) supported for tertiary offline copies.
Backup verification
PBS can verify backup integrity on a schedule — reading and validating every chunk. Failed backups alert immediately, before you need the restore.
What you can back up
Proxmox VE VMs
KVM virtual machines via PVE integration. Incremental, consistent backups with QEMU guest agent support for application consistency.
Proxmox LXC containers
LXC containers backed up via the PVE API. Full and incremental modes. Consistent backups with container hook support.
Linux hosts (proxmox-backup-client)
Any Linux system using the proxmox-backup-client CLI — backs up directories, datasets, or entire system images to any PBS datastore.
Designing a 3-2-1 strategy with PBS
3 copies of data
Production + two backup copies. PBS holds the primary backup copy directly integrated with your PVE cluster.
2 different media/locations
Replicate from your primary PBS to a second PBS at a remote site — or to PBS running on different hardware with different failure characteristics.
1 offsite copy
The remote PBS instance is your offsite copy. Add tape export or cloud storage sync for a fully air-gapped tertiary.
PBS and PVE work best together
PBS datastores appear natively in the PVE backup job scheduler. Schedule VM backups from within PVE, browse and restore snapshots from the PVE UI — no external backup client or separate console needed. Instelligence designs PBS deployment as part of every Proxmox VE engagement.
Subscription tiers
PBS subscriptions are priced separately from Proxmox VE, per PBS server node per year.
Basic
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- Enterprise repo
- 3 tickets/yr
- 2 business day response
Standard
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- Enterprise repo
- 10 tickets/yr
- 2 business day response
Premium
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- Enterprise repo
- Unlimited tickets
- 4-hour response