Synchronize your Proxmox Backup Server with a Cloud-PBS instance

If you already run a local Proxmox Backup Server, you can synchronize it with a Cloud-PBS instance to create an off-site copy of your backups. This guide shows you how.

Why synchronize?

Running a local PBS gives you fast backup and restore speeds. Adding a Cloud-PBS instance gives you:

• Off-site copy for the 3-2-1 rule
• Ransomware protection — separate infrastructure
• Disaster recovery — backups available even if your site is down
• No additional management — Cloud-PBS handles the remote side

Setting up synchronization

Prerequisites

• An existing local Proxmox Backup Server
• A Cloud-PBS account with a configured instance

Step 1: Add Cloud-PBS as a remote

On your local PBS, add your Cloud-PBS instance as a remote:

1. Go to Configuration > Remotes > Add
2. Enter your Cloud-PBS server address, user, and fingerprint

Step 2: Create a sync job

Create a sync job to push backups to Cloud-PBS:

1. Go to Datastore > Sync Jobs > Add
2. Select the remote you just created
3. Configure the schedule (e.g., daily sync after your backup window)
4. Set the sync direction: Local → Remote

Step 3: Monitor sync status

Monitor the sync jobs from the PBS dashboard or from your Cloud-PBS dashboard. Both will show the status of synchronized snapshots.

Encryption considerations

If your local PBS uses encryption, the encrypted data is synchronized as-is. Cloud-PBS stores the encrypted chunks without needing your encryption key.

Bandwidth optimization

PBS synchronization only transfers changed data blocks (thanks to deduplication). After the initial sync, daily synchronization typically transfers a small fraction of the total data.

Get started with Cloud-PBS and add off-site redundancy to your existing PBS setup.