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.
Deduplicated backupsS3 backend (PBS 4.2)Restore tests included
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The following are trademarks of their respective owners: Proxmox VE (Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH). WZ-IT is an independent service provider and has no business, partnership, or contractual relationship with these companies. We offer independent migration, installation, hosting, and operations services.
A backup is not a strategy: what a production-grade PBS setup means
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:
Verify jobs
Scheduled integrity checks detect silent data corruption before you need the backup - not during the restore attempt.
Prune & garbage collection
Retention policies (e.g. 7 daily, 4 weekly, 6 monthly) plus regular GC keep the datastore lean and consistent.
3-2-1 rule
Three copies, two media, one off-site: local PBS for fast restores plus an off-site copy via sync job or S3.
Restore tests with evidence
Regular restore tests into an isolated environment - documented. An untested backup is a hope, not a backup.
Encryption with key management
Client-side encryption means: no key, no restore. The encryption key must be stored safely - separate from the backup.
Monitoring & alerting
Failed jobs, filling datastores and missing syncs are reported via our Zabbix cluster before gaps appear.
Ransomware-proof backup architecture
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.
1
PBS on-site
Dedicated backup hardware in-house: fastest restores over the local network, full data sovereignty. First line of defense for everyday cases (accidental deletion, broken VM).
2
Off-site PBS with pull sync
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.
3
S3 backend (PBS 4.2)
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.
PBS 4.2
S3 Storage Officially Stable
With PBS 4.2 (May 2026), S3-compatible object storage as backup backend is no longer tech preview - it is production-ready.
Compatible S3 Backends
Hetzner Object Storage
MinIO (Self-hosted)
AWS S3
Wasabi
Managed Backup as a Service
We configure PBS with S3 backend, retention policies, encryption and regular restore tests - fully managed.
Warning: Avoid S3 Object Lock
S3 Object Lock (WORM) breaks the PBS datastore structure. PBS needs the ability to delete chunks during garbage collection. Keep Object Lock disabled.
Proxmox Backup Server as a managed service
You do not want to operate PBS yourself? We handle setup and operations - on your hardware or as a dedicated offsite instance on European infrastructure. Backup verification, restore tests and monitoring included. PBS operations are already part of the Managed Proxmox package (from €179.90/month per node).
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.
The Managed Proxmox package (from €179.90 per node per month) already includes PBS operations with backup monitoring and restore tests. A standalone managed PBS - e.g. as an off-site instance for a self-operated Proxmox environment - is priced transparently by scope. Talk to us.
Yes. We plan, install, and configure your Proxmox Backup Server - whether on dedicated hardware, as a VM, or with a separate provider. Including backup jobs, retention policies, monitoring, and regular restore tests.
Interested in Proxmox Backup Server?
Good choice - we'll help you get started or with operations.
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Managed Operations for Proxmox
Beyond Proxmox, we also operate your servers, open-source applications and legacy systems - with defined service levels and personal contact.
Let's talk about your project - honest and no strings attached
Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
An honest take, including when we are not the right fit
Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI
No risk: worst case, you leave with a clearer understanding of your project than before.
“WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.”
Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH
Reviews
Industry-leading companies worldwide rely on us
Proxmox & BackupProxmoxBackupDocumentation
“Professional, honest and technically thoroughly sound: WZ-IT set up our Proxmox and backup infrastructure securely and future-proof. The consulting from Timo and Robin was objective and needs-driven, the implementation smooth and the final documentation exemplary. You can tell immediately that business-critical infrastructure is thought through holistically from the outset here and implemented with clear ownership.”
Pascal Block
Project Manager, Stadtwerke Brühl GmbH
Stadtwerke Brühl - municipal energy and infrastructure utility.
“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.
“I got to know Timo and Robin as dedicated and professional partners who make a lot of things possible for their clients that initially seem impossible. I felt very well advised. The services offered have thoroughly convinced me. (translated)”
Local AI IntegrationTechnical IntegrationImplementation
“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.
“With Timo and Robin, you're not only on the safe side technically - you also get the best human support!
Whether it's quick help in everyday life or complex IT solutions: the guys from WZ-IT think along with you, act quickly and speak a language you understand. The collaboration is uncomplicated, reliable and always on an equal footing. That makes IT fun - and above all: it works!
Big thank you to the team! (translated)”
Sonja Aßer
Data Manager, ARGE
ARGE Neue Medien - master data & digital standards for plumbing and building technology.
“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, UAE
EVA Real Estate - leading real-estate agency in Dubai.
“WZ-IT manages our Proxmox cluster reliably and professionally. The team handles continuous monitoring and regular updates for us and responds very quickly to any issues or inquiries. They also configure new nodes, systems, and applications that we need to add to our cluster. With WZ-IT's proactive support, our cluster and the business-critical applications running on it remain stable, and high availability is consistently ensured. We value the professional collaboration and the noticeable relief it brings to our daily operations.”
“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.”
John Hellmerichs
Managing Director, AInergy GmbH
AInergy - consultancy for energy and facility management.
Open Source ArchitectureImplementationTechnical Consulting
“We have had very good experiences with Mr. Wevelsiep and WZ-IT. The consultation was professional, clearly understandable, and at fair prices. The team not only implemented our requirements but also thought along and proactively. Instead of just processing individual tasks, they provided us with well-founded explanations that strengthened our own understanding. WZ-IT took a lot of pressure off us with their structured approach - that was exactly what we needed and is the reason why we keep coming back. (translated)”
Matthias Zimmermann
Managing Director, Annota GmbH
Annota - healthtech startup with an AI documentation assistant.
Sovereign CollaborationOpen Source StackOperationsMaintenance
“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)”
“Counting on WZ-IT team was crucial, their expertise and solutions gave us the pace to deploy in production our services, even suggesting and performing improvements over our configuration and setup. We expect to keep counting on them for continuous maintenance of our services and implementation of new solutions.”
Gabriel Sanz Señor
Managing Director, Odiseo Solutions
Odiseo Solutions - software engineering for the space industry.
“Professional, honest and technically thoroughly sound: WZ-IT set up our Proxmox and backup infrastructure securely and future-proof. The consulting from Timo and Robin was objective and needs-driven, the implementation smooth and the final documentation exemplary. You can tell immediately that business-critical infrastructure is thought through holistically from the outset here and implemented with clear ownership.”
Pascal Block
Project Manager, Stadtwerke Brühl GmbH
Stadtwerke Brühl - municipal energy and infrastructure utility.
“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.
“I got to know Timo and Robin as dedicated and professional partners who make a lot of things possible for their clients that initially seem impossible. I felt very well advised. The services offered have thoroughly convinced me. (translated)”
Local AI IntegrationTechnical IntegrationImplementation
“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.
“With Timo and Robin, you're not only on the safe side technically - you also get the best human support!
Whether it's quick help in everyday life or complex IT solutions: the guys from WZ-IT think along with you, act quickly and speak a language you understand. The collaboration is uncomplicated, reliable and always on an equal footing. That makes IT fun - and above all: it works!
Big thank you to the team! (translated)”
Sonja Aßer
Data Manager, ARGE
ARGE Neue Medien - master data & digital standards for plumbing and building technology.
“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, UAE
EVA Real Estate - leading real-estate agency in Dubai.
“WZ-IT manages our Proxmox cluster reliably and professionally. The team handles continuous monitoring and regular updates for us and responds very quickly to any issues or inquiries. They also configure new nodes, systems, and applications that we need to add to our cluster. With WZ-IT's proactive support, our cluster and the business-critical applications running on it remain stable, and high availability is consistently ensured. We value the professional collaboration and the noticeable relief it brings to our daily operations.”
“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.”
John Hellmerichs
Managing Director, AInergy GmbH
AInergy - consultancy for energy and facility management.
Open Source ArchitectureImplementationTechnical Consulting
“We have had very good experiences with Mr. Wevelsiep and WZ-IT. The consultation was professional, clearly understandable, and at fair prices. The team not only implemented our requirements but also thought along and proactively. Instead of just processing individual tasks, they provided us with well-founded explanations that strengthened our own understanding. WZ-IT took a lot of pressure off us with their structured approach - that was exactly what we needed and is the reason why we keep coming back. (translated)”
Matthias Zimmermann
Managing Director, Annota GmbH
Annota - healthtech startup with an AI documentation assistant.
Sovereign CollaborationOpen Source StackOperationsMaintenance
“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)”
“Counting on WZ-IT team was crucial, their expertise and solutions gave us the pace to deploy in production our services, even suggesting and performing improvements over our configuration and setup. We expect to keep counting on them for continuous maintenance of our services and implementation of new solutions.”
Gabriel Sanz Señor
Managing Director, Odiseo Solutions
Odiseo Solutions - software engineering for the space industry.
“Professional, honest and technically thoroughly sound: WZ-IT set up our Proxmox and backup infrastructure securely and future-proof. The consulting from Timo and Robin was objective and needs-driven, the implementation smooth and the final documentation exemplary. You can tell immediately that business-critical infrastructure is thought through holistically from the outset here and implemented with clear ownership.”
Pascal Block
Project Manager, Stadtwerke Brühl GmbH
Stadtwerke Brühl - municipal energy and infrastructure utility.
“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.
“I got to know Timo and Robin as dedicated and professional partners who make a lot of things possible for their clients that initially seem impossible. I felt very well advised. The services offered have thoroughly convinced me. (translated)”
Local AI IntegrationTechnical IntegrationImplementation
“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.
“With Timo and Robin, you're not only on the safe side technically - you also get the best human support!
Whether it's quick help in everyday life or complex IT solutions: the guys from WZ-IT think along with you, act quickly and speak a language you understand. The collaboration is uncomplicated, reliable and always on an equal footing. That makes IT fun - and above all: it works!
Big thank you to the team! (translated)”
Sonja Aßer
Data Manager, ARGE
ARGE Neue Medien - master data & digital standards for plumbing and building technology.
“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, UAE
EVA Real Estate - leading real-estate agency in Dubai.
“WZ-IT manages our Proxmox cluster reliably and professionally. The team handles continuous monitoring and regular updates for us and responds very quickly to any issues or inquiries. They also configure new nodes, systems, and applications that we need to add to our cluster. With WZ-IT's proactive support, our cluster and the business-critical applications running on it remain stable, and high availability is consistently ensured. We value the professional collaboration and the noticeable relief it brings to our daily operations.”
“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.”
John Hellmerichs
Managing Director, AInergy GmbH
AInergy - consultancy for energy and facility management.
Open Source ArchitectureImplementationTechnical Consulting
“We have had very good experiences with Mr. Wevelsiep and WZ-IT. The consultation was professional, clearly understandable, and at fair prices. The team not only implemented our requirements but also thought along and proactively. Instead of just processing individual tasks, they provided us with well-founded explanations that strengthened our own understanding. WZ-IT took a lot of pressure off us with their structured approach - that was exactly what we needed and is the reason why we keep coming back. (translated)”
Matthias Zimmermann
Managing Director, Annota GmbH
Annota - healthtech startup with an AI documentation assistant.
Sovereign CollaborationOpen Source StackOperationsMaintenance
“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)”
“Counting on WZ-IT team was crucial, their expertise and solutions gave us the pace to deploy in production our services, even suggesting and performing improvements over our configuration and setup. We expect to keep counting on them for continuous maintenance of our services and implementation of new solutions.”
Gabriel Sanz Señor
Managing Director, Odiseo Solutions
Odiseo Solutions - software engineering for the space industry.
Whether a specific IT challenge or just an idea - we look forward to the exchange. In a brief conversation, we'll evaluate together if and how your project fits with WZ-IT.