How to backup a data storage (paranoid)

[Sasha]

Hi, guys!

I'm novice in PBS and just begin to configure a backups with it.
My current backup scheme is copying vzdumps to separate server.
It's simple and straight and served several years.

PBS is really attractive and amazing but I'm little nervous while think to trust all backups to single database with some chunks...
Does exist a procedure to backup data storage itself and procedute to restore it if problems appears?

Appreciate for any help to all good people.

 

[Dunuin]

PBS is really attractive and amazing but I'm little nervous while think to trust all backups to single database with some chunks...
Does exist a procedure to backup data storage itself and procedute to restore it if problems appears?

If you care about your data have the 3-2-1 backup rule in mind. So would be a good idea to have another offsite PBS and then make use of sync jobs to sync backup snapshots between the PBS.

A PBS datastore folder is selfcontained. So its possible to back that folder up. In case you lose your PBS you could then set up a new PBS, copy that folder back and reuse it.

 

[Sasha]

A PBS datastore folder is selfcontained

Sounds close to perfect! I don't have hardware anymore for PBS, but i can add HDD in PBS server to simplu rsync /datastore to it.

copy that folder back and reuse it.

Would You clarify a process. So i hace Data Store in /backedup
1. Setup PBS
2. Add Data store with folder /datastore
3. Remove everything in folder /datastore by backed up in /backedup folder

Should i stop services or be awared something?

May be more logical is to create /datastore2 on separate local hdd and runs rsync to have it identical to /datastore2 ?

 

[Dunuin]

Importing the datastore has to be done manually by editing the /etc/proxmox-backup/datastore.cfg as the PBS webUI isn't offering importing of existing datastores yet.
Woud be a good idea to also backup your "/etc" folder, especially "/etc/proxmox-backup" to have a copy of your config files.

 

[Dunuin]

Sounds close to perfect! I don't have hardware anymore for PBS, but i can add HDD in PBS server to simplu rsync /datastore to it.

Better rsync that datastore folder to a USB HDD and store that USB HDD offsite. Otherwise you are really screwed in case of fire, lightning, theft, water damage, short-circuits, ... . Or do some additional VZDump backups once a month to that USB HDD you store offsite. Then you don't have to put all your bets on a single horse.

 

[Sasha]

Appreciate for explanation!
It seems i should farewell to vzdump...