How to Choose Backup Storage - Complete Guide

Question: Where should I store my backups?

Answer: Multiple storage options available

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Option 1: Local Storage (Easiest)

How to Configure

# Check current storage
pvesm status
 
# Local storage is default at /var/lib/vz/dump/
df -h /var/lib/vz

Pros:

• No additional setup
• Fast backup speed
• Already configured

Cons:

• Same server = same disk failure risk

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Option 2: NFS Storage

How to Configure

Step 1: Set up NFS server

# Install NFS server
apt install nfs-kernel-server
 
# Create backup directory
mkdir -p /backup
echo "/backup 192.168.1.0/24(rw,sync,no_subtree_check)" >> /etc/exports
 
# Export
exportfs -a

Step 2: Add NFS in Proxmox

1. Datacenter → Storage → Add → NFS
2. Fill in:
   • Server: 192.168.1.200
   • Export: /backup
   • ID: backup-nfs

Step 3: CLI Method

pvesm add nfs backup-nfs \
  --server 192.168.1.200 \
  --export /backup \
  --content vztmpl,iso,backup

Pros:

• Network accessible
• Can use different server
• Shared between nodes

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Option 3: SMB/CIFS

How to Configure

# Install CIFS
apt install cifs-utils
 
# Add SMB storage
pvesm add smb backup-smb \
  --server 192.168.1.200 \
  --share backup \
  --username backupuser \
  --password 'YourPassword'

Pros:

• Windows compatible
• Easy to access

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Option 4: Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) - Best Option

How to Install PBS

# Install PBS
apt update && apt install proxmox-backup-server -y
 
# Access PBS web UI
# https://your-pbs:8007

Configure PBS in Proxmox

# Add PBS storage
pvesm add proxmox-backup-server pbs01 \
  --server 192.168.1.250 \
  --datastore main \
  --fingerprint YOUR-FINGERPRINT \
  --backup-username admin@pam

Pros:

• Deduplication (saves space)
• Encryption available
• Incremental backup
• Provenance integrity

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Option 5: USB External Drive

How to Configure

# List disks
lsblk
 
# Create partition
fdisk /dev/sdb
 
# Format
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
 
# Mount
mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/usb
 
# Add as storage
pvesm add dir usb-backup \
  --path /mnt/usb \
  --content backup

Pros:

• Offline backup possible
• Portable
• Complete isolation

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How to Choose Storage Type

Storage	Best For	Speed	Safety
Local	Testing	Fast	Low
NFS	Small setups	Fast	Medium
SMB	Windows	Fast	Medium
PBS	Production	Fast	High
USB	Offline	Fast	High
Cloud	Offsite	Slow	High

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Keywords

storage nfs smb pbs how-to beginner

Related Articles

• Backup
• PBS
• Storage

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