Overview
This project implements a fully automated backup strategy for my Proxmox VE environment using a dedicated
Proxmox Backup Server (PBS). The goal was to create a reliable, hands‑off backup workflow that protects all
critical virtual machines while maintaining efficient storage usage through retention policies and deduplication.
The result is an enterprise‑style backup system with nightly snapshot jobs, long‑term retention, and verified
restore procedures — all running on a lightweight mini PC dedicated to PBS.
Key Objectives
- Automate VM backups: Configure scheduled snapshot jobs for critical infrastructure VMs.
- Implement retention policies: Maintain daily, weekly, and monthly restore points.
- Optimize storage: Leverage PBS deduplication and compression.
- Validate disaster recovery: Perform test restores to ensure backup integrity.
Technical Highlights
- PBS datastore integration: Added PBS storage to Proxmox VE using secure authentication.
- Scheduled backup jobs: Configured nightly snapshot‑based backups for selected VMs.
- Retention rules: Applied daily/weekly/monthly retention for long‑term coverage.
- Backup verification: Confirmed successful backup creation and datastore deduplication.
- Restore testing: Restored VMs to new IDs to validate disaster‑recovery readiness.
Impact
- Improved reliability: Automated backups ensure consistent protection of critical systems.
- Disaster‑recovery readiness: Verified restore procedures guarantee recoverability.
- Storage efficiency: Deduplication significantly reduces backup footprint.
- Enterprise‑grade workflow: Mirrors real‑world IT backup strategies and retention models.
Skills Demonstrated
- Proxmox VE administration
- Proxmox Backup Server configuration
- Backup automation & retention policies
- Disaster‑recovery testing
- Homelab infrastructure design
Outcome
The final setup provides a robust, automated backup solution for my entire Proxmox environment. With nightly or weekly
backups, long‑term retention, and verified restore workflows, this project demonstrates strong infrastructure
management and disaster‑recovery planning — essential skills for systems engineering and IT operations roles.