Backing up Proxmox VMs to a Synology NAS ensures data reliability, easy management, flexibility, and remote access, providing enhanced backup capabilities for virtualization environments.
Updated by Dan Zeng on 2024/07/17
Backing up Proxmox VM to NAS (Network Attached Storage) means replicating virtual machines, storage and related configuration information from the Proxmox virtualization platform to a network device dedicated to data storage. This network storage device is connected to the Proxmox servers over the network, providing centralized storage and management capabilities.
Within this process, Proxmox represents an open-source virtualization platform that allows users to create and manage virtual machines on physical servers. NAS, on the other hand, represents a networked storage device that focuses on providing file storage services.
The process of backing up Proxmox to Synology consists of copying the data from Proxmox to the NAS device so that it can be restored when needed to restore the previous state. This backup method has several advantages:
Data Reliability: Proxmox backup VM to NAS can provide higher data reliability. NAS devices usually have redundant storage and data integrity checking to protect backup data from damage or loss.
Easy to Manage: Using a NAS device as a backup storage solution provides simplified management and operation. NAS devices often have user-friendly interfaces and easy-to-configure backup options, making the backup process simpler and more efficient.
Flexibility: Proxmox backup to a NAS provides greater flexibility. NAS devices typically have large storage capacity, can accommodate multiple backup versions, and support flexible backup policies such as full, incremental, or differential backups. This allows for flexible backup schedules on demand.
Remote Access: Using a NAS device as backup storage allows remote access to backup data over the network. This means that the Proxmox environment can be easily restored, even from a remote location or in the event of a failure, providing better disaster recovery capabilities.
For the mainstream NAS like Synology and QNAP, they offers their software to help users backup data from other devices to NAS but the software is not always compatible. For example, Synology has released Active for Business to help backup virtual machines but it can only backup ESXi and Hyper-V VM so you can’t use the internal solution of Synology.
You can try manually configure the backup job on Synology and Proxmox or an easier approach in the next section.
To backup Proxmox VM to NAS, following these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel on Synology DSM > choose File Services > hit NFS > click Enable NFS service > apply it
2. Choose Shared Folder > edit the folder where Proxmox data should be stored
3. Click NFS Permissions > click Create
4. In NFS rule,enter the Hostname or IP > choose Read/Write in Privilege > tick Allow uses to access mounted subfolders > hit Save
1. In Proxmox, hit Datacenter > click Storage
2. Click Add > choose NFS > define ID > enter the Server IP > specify your configuration > hit Add
1. Select the VM > choose Backup
2. In Backup tab, choose Synology NAS storage in the upper right corner > select Bakcup Now > configure the backup > hit Backup
Run a backup job to ensure that the backup completes successfully and stores the files in a shared folder on the Synology NAS.
In addition to manual backups, Proxmox offers the option to set up automatic backups of virtual machines. By configuring an automatic backup schedule, you can ensure that your VMs are backed up on a regular schedule without manual intervention. To achieve the goal of automatically backing up your VMs, follow the steps below to configure it:
1. In Proxmox, click Datacenter > choose Backup > hit Add
2. In Storage, choose Synology NAS > specify your automatic backup schedule > configure a backup retention policy > hit Create
Although both Proxmox and Synology NAS provide backup functionality on their own. However, to fulfill specific needs or provide additional features, you may consider integrating Vinchin Backup & Recovery, an excellent third-party backup software. It can further enhance the backup process from Proxmox VMs to Synology NAS, bringing you more convenience and flexibility.
Vinchin Backup & Recovery not only provides advanced backup and recovery features including incremental backups, flexible scheduling, and powerful monitoring tools that enable you to better manage and protect your critical data. And it is a backup solution designed for virtual machines such as Proxmox, VMware, Hyper-V, XenServer, XCP-ng, oVirt, RHV and more. This means you can easily apply this comprehensive and powerful virtual machine backup tool in a wide range of virtualized environments.
With features such as agentless backup, instant recovery and V2V migration, Vinchin is designed to provide an all-in-one solution to comprehensively protect and manage critical data in virtualized environments. Such integration not only enhances the Proxmox backup VM to NAS backup process, but also provides a consistent and efficient backup and recovery experience across different virtualization platforms.
Vinchin Backup & Recovery’s operation is very simple, just a few simple steps.
1. Just select VMs on the host
2. Then select backup destination
3. Select strategies
4. Finally submit the job
Vinchin provides a complimentary 60-day trial, allowing users to explore its functionality in a real-world environment. For additional details, kindly reach out to Vinchin directly or get in touch with our local partners.
Q1: Are there any specific considerations for backup scheduling?
A1: Yes, consider factors such as data size, frequency of changes, and available storage on the Synology NAS. Schedule backups during low-activity periods to minimize impact on system performance.
Q2: How can I ensure data integrity during Proxmox backups to Synology NAS?
A2: Synology NAS often includes features like RAID and integrity checks. Ensure these features are configured correctly to enhance data reliability during backups.
In summary, Proxmox backup VM to NAS brings multiple advantages in terms of data reliability, ease of management, and etc. The backup process includes configuration of Synology and Proxmox settings. In addition, automated backups and integration with Vinchin Backup & Recovery further enhance the backup process, providing advanced protection features and a comprehensive solution for virtual machines. You can experience even more powerful backup features by exploring the 60-day trial of Vinchin Backup & Recovery.
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