Proxmox VE

How to Optimize Backup Compression - Complete Guide

1 min read

How to Optimize Backup Compression - Complete Guide

Question: How do I compress backups to save space?

Answer: Use built-in compression options

Understanding Compression Options

CompressionSpeedSpace SavedCPU Use
noneFastestNoneLow
lzoFast~40%Low
gzipMedium~50%Medium
zstdFast~55%Medium

How to Enable Compression

Method 1: Web UI

Step 1: Edit Backup Job

  • Go to Datacenter → Backup
  • Click on backup job → Edit

Step 2: Select Compression Find Compression dropdown:

  • Select lzo (fast) or zstd (better compression)

Step 3: Save

  • Click OK

Method 2: CLI

# Use LZO compression
vzdump --mode snapshot --vmid 100 --compress lzo
 
# Use ZSTD compression (recommended)
vzdump --mode snapshot --vmid 100 --compress zstd
 
# Use gzip
vzdump --mode snapshot --vmid 100 --compress gzip
 
# No compression
vzdump --mode snapshot --vmid 100 --compress none

How to Check Compression Results

# List backups with sizes
ls -lh /var/lib/vz/dump/
 
# Compare file sizes
du -h /var/lib/vz/dump/*
 
# Check compression ratio
gzip -l /var/lib/vz/dump/vzdump-qemu-100-2024.tar.gz

Pro Tips

  1. Use zstd for best compression
  2. Use lzo for faster backups
  3. Test both and compare results

Keywords

compression zstd lzo how-to optimization

Back to Proxmox VE

Graph View