Proxmox Backup Server is a powerful open-source enterprise backup solution specifically designed for virtual environments. With client-side AES-256-GCM encryption, incremental backups, and intelligent deduplication, PBS provides maximum data security with minimal storage requirements.
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Proxmox is a trademark of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH. WZ-IT is an authorized reseller partner of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH. Our managed services and service levels are agreed separately from Proxmox subscriptions.
Proxmox Backup Server provides the technology - deduplication, incremental snapshots, client-side AES-256-GCM encryption. Whether you can actually restore in an emergency is decided by the configuration around it. These six building blocks belong in every production PBS setup:
Scheduled integrity checks detect silent data corruption before you need the backup - not during the restore attempt.
Retention policies (e.g. 7 daily, 4 weekly, 6 monthly) plus regular GC keep the datastore lean and consistent.
Three copies, two media, one off-site: local PBS for fast restores plus an off-site copy via sync job or S3.
Regular restore tests into an isolated environment - documented. An untested backup is a hope, not a backup.
Client-side encryption means: no key, no restore. The encryption key must be stored safely - separate from the backup.
We proactively monitor failed jobs, capacity, and missing syncs around the clock before backup gaps appear.
Prove recoverability
WZ-IT reviews PBS configuration, restores an agreed system in isolation and documents the recovery point, duration and required actions.
Modern attackers do not just encrypt production systems - they delete the backups first. The architecture must account for that: the off-site PBS pulls the backups itself (pull principle) - a compromised production host has no credentials for the backup target and cannot delete anything there.
Dedicated backup hardware in-house: fastest restores over the local network, control over data location and access. First line of defense for everyday cases (accidental deletion, broken VM).
A second PBS in another fire zone or European data center synchronizes via pull. Separate credentials, separate infrastructure - ransomware on the host cannot reach it.
Object storage as a datastore, e.g. Hetzner Object Storage or MinIO: high capacity at low cost for long retention - officially production-ready since PBS 4.2.
For air-gap requirements, PBS additionally supports tape backups (LTO). Our guide PBS offsite backup explains the pull architecture in detail.
With PBS 4.2 (May 2026), S3-compatible object storage as backup backend is no longer tech preview - it is production-ready.
We configure and operate PBS with an S3 backend, retention policies, encryption, and monitoring. Documented restore tests are added according to the agreed scope.
S3 Object Lock (WORM) breaks the PBS datastore structure. PBS needs the ability to delete chunks during garbage collection. Keep Object Lock disabled.
You do not want to operate PBS yourself? We handle setup and operations - on your hardware or as a dedicated off-site instance on European infrastructure. Managed Proxmox from €179.90 per node and month includes backup management and monitoring; restore tests and specific recovery objectives are explicitly agreed where required.
For professional secrecy holders
If Proxmox processes client, patient or other professional secrets, WZ-IT plans the application, infrastructure, access, backups and ongoing operations within a purpose-built operating model.
Name data volume, change rate, retention, and required off-site copy.
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Answers to the most important questions
PBS is the dedicated backup solution for Proxmox VE. It offers incremental backups with deduplication, client-side encryption (AES-256-GCM), and efficient compression. PBS integrates seamlessly with Proxmox VE and can be centrally managed via the web GUI.
PBS encrypts backups client-side - the backup server never sees unencrypted data. Even if the backup server is compromised, your data remains protected. We additionally recommend offsite replication to a second PBS or S3-compatible storage.
Thanks to deduplication and compression, storage requirements are significantly lower than with traditional backup solutions. As a rule of thumb: expect 30-50% of the source data volume for a 7-day retention. The actual requirement depends on the change rate of your data.
Yes. PBS can serve as a central backup server that backs up VMs from multiple Proxmox instances - even across provider boundaries. The requirement is a network connection (VPN or public with encryption) between the Proxmox hosts and the PBS.
Through architecture: the off-site PBS synchronizes via the pull principle - it fetches the backups itself, and the production host has no credentials for the backup target. A compromised host can therefore neither encrypt nor delete the off-site copies. Verify jobs additionally check integrity, and for air-gap requirements PBS supports tape backups (LTO).
vzdump creates full backups as single files - without deduplication, incremental backups or verification. With more than a handful of VMs, storage requirements and backup windows explode. PBS backs up incrementally with deduplication, verifies integrity and manages retention automatically - clearly the better way for production.
Managed Proxmox from €179.90 per node and month includes PBS backup management and monitoring where PBS forms part of the environment. Restore tests, off-site architecture, and specific recovery objectives are explicitly agreed where required. A standalone managed PBS is priced by scope.
Yes. We plan, install, and configure your Proxmox Backup Server - whether on dedicated hardware, as a VM, or with a separate provider. Backup jobs, retention policies, and monitoring are configured for the target design; documented restore tests can be added.
Beyond Proxmox, we also operate your servers, open-source applications and legacy systems - with defined service levels and personal contact.
Discover Managed OperationsNo risk: worst case, you leave with a clearer understanding of your project than before.
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Customer feedback on virtualization, backup, VPN, security and ongoing cluster operations.
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Managing Director, nextGYM GmbH
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Project Manager, Stadtwerke Brühl GmbH
Stadtwerke Brühl - municipal energy and infrastructure utility.
“WZ-IT provided very competent support in implementing our server and virtualization infrastructure. As part of the project, a Proxmox-based virtualization environment was set up along with a virtual machine for our application systems. Additionally, a structured backup concept was implemented. A particular focus was on security: the setup of a VPN tunnel and the clean implementation of encryption and access concepts were professionally executed. The structured consulting as well as the reliable and swift implementation deserve special mention. We are very satisfied with the services provided and are happy to recommend WZ-IT.”
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Managing Director, AInergy GmbH
AInergy - consultancy for energy and facility management.
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Aphy AG
Aphy AG - AI platform for hotel back-office.
“I recently worked with Timo and the WZ-IT team, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best tech decisions I have made for my business. Right from the start, Timo took the time to walk me through every step in a simple and calm way. No matter how many questions I had, he never rushed me. The results speak for themselves. With WZ-IT, we reduced our monthly expenses from $1,300 down to $250. This was a huge win for us.”
Aleksandr Shuliko
CTO, EVA Real Estate
EVA Real Estate - leading real-estate agency in Dubai.
“Communication with WZ-IT was open, friendly and professional from the very beginning. Mr. Wevelsiep and Mr. Zins responded to every one of our questions patiently, promptly and respectfully, and contributed their own suggestions and good ideas on how to modernize our server infrastructure and adapt it even better to our needs. Throughout, WZ-IT consistently kept our need for data sovereignty and GDPR compliance in mind. Even short-notice adjustments and change requests from our side were implemented quickly and patiently and integrated consistently into the overall concept. From planning to the final handover, every step was documented transparently and comprehensively - so if a provider change should ever become necessary, the documentation would let us onboard a successor into our infrastructure very quickly. We are extremely satisfied with WZ-IT and hope to continue working together for a long time.”
Christoph Mußmann
Project Officer, DGHO e.V.
DGHO - German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology.
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Communications Manager, Golem.de
Golem.de - leading German IT news outlet.
“While looking for a partner to integrate a local AI solution, we came across Timo and Robin - and could not have made a better decision. They quickly understood our requirements and solved technical challenges competently and pragmatically. We were particularly impressed by the straightforward collaboration, their high level of expertise and the speed of implementation. We are delighted to have Timo and Robin at our side as reliable business partners and look forward to our next projects together. (translated)”
Henrik Jeche
Head of IT Administration
ml&s - full-service provider for the electronics industry.
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Data Manager, ARGE
ARGE Neue Medien - master data & digital standards for plumbing and building technology.
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Managing Director, Annota GmbH
Annota - healthtech startup with an AI documentation assistant.
“Timo and Robin from WZ-IT set up a RocketChat server for us - and I couldn't be more satisfied! From the initial consultation to the final implementation, everything was absolutely professional, efficient, and to my complete satisfaction. I particularly appreciate the clear communication, transparent pricing, and the comprehensive expertise that both bring to the table. Even after the setup, they take care of the maintenance, which frees up my time enormously and allows me to focus on other important areas of my business - with the good feeling that our IT is in the best hands. I can recommend WZ-IT without reservation and look forward to continuing our collaboration! (translated)”
Sebastian Maier
Managing Director, Yonju GmbH
Yonju - business coaching and AI products.
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Managing Director, Odiseo Solutions
Odiseo Solutions - software engineering for the space industry.
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