After years of relying on NFS, a user recovers 6 TB of space with Proxmox Backup Server. Are you still using traditional solutions?
The virtualization environment, Proxmox VE, has established itself as one of the most powerful open-source options for managing virtualized server environments. However, many administrators and home users continue to overlook one of its greatest allies: Proxmox Backup Server (PBS).
After several years of using backup systems based on NFS, content creator Tim decided to give PBS a second chance. The result was astonishing: he reclaimed over 6 terabytes of space and significantly improved his backup efficiency.
A lightweight, fast server designed for Proxmox
Proxmox Backup Server is an independent and highly optimized system written in Rust that allows for incremental backups with deduplication of virtual machines, containers, and even physical servers. Its efficient architecture enables it to run on modest hardware, from a simple server to a mini PC with an Intel N100 processor and basic disks.
“PBS is so lightweight you can install it on an old PC and still enjoy all its advanced features,” explains Tim.
Real advantages over NFS backups
The most noticeable change was storage usage: from 7 TB used with NFS to just 1 TB with PBS, without losing any copies or snapshots. The key? Real incremental backups and block-level deduplication.
“When reviewing backups in PBS, I saw a deduplication factor of 65. That means, without deduplication, I’d be using 65 times more space. It’s crazy not to use it,” says Tim.
Expert opinion: Proxmox in professional environments
David Carrero Fernández-Baillo, co-founder of Stackscale (Grupo Aire), highlights the value of this virtualization ecosystem for professional settings:
“Proxmox VE and Proxmox Backup Server provide a robust, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to much more expensive proprietary solutions. At Stackscale, we offer optimized infrastructure for Proxmox, including bare-metal nodes and high-performance storage, helping our clients deploy highly efficient and secure environments with incremental backups and deduplication.”
Carrero also emphasizes that “the integration of Proxmox VE with PBS not only reduces infrastructure costs but also enhances resilience and recovery speed—key factors in any business continuity strategy.”
Incremental backups and file-level restoration
PBS stores the initial full system backup and then only records changes, reducing the required time, bandwidth, and storage. Additionally, it allows restoring individual files directly from the Proxmox VE interface, without extra configuration.
Advanced features and recommendations
- Supports remote synchronization between PBS servers
- Includes support for tape backups, still relevant in 3-2-1 strategy environments
- Allows restoring individual files, though bare-metal restores for physical systems are not yet available
- Provides detailed reports, scheduled pruning and garbage collection tasks, and encrypted backups
Conclusion: If you’re using Proxmox VE, you should be using PBS already
With deduplication, incremental backups, granular restoration, and an ecosystem designed for seamless integration, Proxmox Backup Server is a solution hard to beat in terms of efficiency and simplicity.
“If you’re using Proxmox VE and not yet using PBS, you’re wasting time, space, and peace of mind,” concludes David Carrero. “Partnering with providers like Stackscale, you can deploy this technology in enterprise environments, private clouds, or hosting, with the necessary support to grow confidently.”