How to test remote sync backups

[bhotrock]

I've searched the manual, forum and the Internet and didn't find anything on this, but I may have missed it. If it's documented, I'd welcome a link.

I have setup a PBS in my office and it is creating encrypted backups of VMs from a 3 host Proxmox VE Cluster. That's working well, and I'm able to test these backups through the Proxmox VE interface.

I have additionally setup a second PBS that is configured to sync the Datastores from the office PBS. This APPEARS to work okay, and I can see a list of the backups in the Content tab of the Datastore, on the second PBS. Since my VE servers don't know anything about the second PBS, how do I test the synced backups?
As we all "know", backups that aren't tested aren't really backups.

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious. There's a lot to learn as I get all this setup. Thanks for any guidance!

 

[Dunuin]

Since my VE servers don't know anything about the second PBS, how do I test the synced backups?

You could add the offsite PBS to your PVE cluster using a user with restore-only privileges. They way you could restore those backups too for testing and in case your onsite PBS ever fails you could directly restore the backups from the offsite PBS. This then also won't break ransomware protection.

Another option would be to install PVE bare metal next to PBS on the same offsite server. That way your offsite PBS could do fast local restores for testing: https://pbs.proxmox.com/docs/installation.html#install-proxmox-backup-server-on-proxmox-ve

 

[bhotrock]

@Dunuin Thanks so much! Yes, I did miss something obvious.
That works perfectly. I just had to add my encryption key and it all worked as hoped. I really appreciate the help!