How to Backup Proxmox VM to USB drive?

When using Proxmox VE, you can conveniently back up your virtual machines with its built-in backup function, making VM backup simple and efficient. What's more, Proxmox VE's backup feature is very flexible, allowing you to choose to store your backup files on a variety of devices connected to the host computer. You can choose to save your backup files on a USB drive connected to the host computer, which provides you with more backup and storage options.

What are the benefits of Proxmox backing up VM to USB drive?

Proxmox backup VM to USB drive has the following advantages:

Data security: Data in virtual machines can be secured by backing up Proxmox VM to usb drives. In the event of a system failure, hardware failure, or other catastrophic event, VMs can be restored quickly, reducing the risk of data loss.

Portability and flexibility: USB drives are portable and can be easily connected to different systems. This makes it simple to transfer and share backup files, as well as easy to take backups off-site, increasing the flexibility of backing up data.

Cost effectiveness: Backing up Proxmox virtual machines to USB storage is often a cost-effective option, particularly for smaller virtualized environments. This approach provides a relatively low-cost backup solution.

Independence and offline backups: Backing up Proxmox VM to USB drives means that backups can run independently of the network, reducing the impact of network failures on backups. This helps improve the stability and security of your backups and prevents network attacks from damaging backup data.

How to backup Proxmox VM to USB drive?

This process for Proxmox backup VM to USB drive consists of two main steps:

Create backup folders and associate USB drive: First, create a folder on the Proxmox server dedicated to backups. Next, connect a USB drive to the Proxmox server and associate it with the newly created backup folder. This ensures that the backup files are safely stored on the USB drive and provides a reliable basis for backup and recovery operations.

Backup and restore Proxmox VMs: Backup and restoration of Proxmox VMs can be performed using the Proxmox VE console or Proxmox's command line tools. During the backup process, the VM's configuration, disk state and other information is saved as a backup file and stored in a pre-created backup folder. These backup files are stored offline via a mounted USB drive. Such a backup process ensures that VMs can be restored quickly and reliably when needed, providing an effective layer of protection for data security.

To backup Proxmox virtual machines to USB storage, follow these steps:

Step 1. Create a backup folder on a USB drive

Insert the USB external drive into the Proxmox host system, making sure that the drive has enough free space to store Proxmox containers and virtual machines.

The example filename is My_Proxmox_Backups，the catalog is /media/ostechnix/SK_Ostechnix1

Step 2. Create new Proxmox storage for backups

1. In Proxmox VE, hit Datacenter > click Storage > click Add > choose Directory

2. In Directory, enter the actual path to the backup directory created on the external USB drive(/media/ostechnix/SK_Ostechnix1/My_Proxmox_Backups) > choose VZDump backup file in Content > click Add

Step 3. Backup Proxmox virtual machines

In Proxmox VE, hit Datacenter > click Backup > choose the backup > click Add > define your backup job > hit Create

Step 4. Run the backup manually

In Proxmox VE, hit Datacenter > click Backup > choose the backup > hit Run now

Step 5. View backup

In Proxmox VE, hit My_Proxmox_Backups > choose Backups

Or you can open the USB drive and go to the Proxmox storage directory > dump

Step 6. Recover Proxmox VM

Click on the VM you need to recover > hit Backup > choose Restore > select Local in Storage > hit  Restore

How to backup Proxmox VM with Vinchin Backup & Recovery?

By successfully backing up your Proxmox virtual machine to a USB drive following the steps described above, you have achieved a secure and portable data protection solution. Although Proxmox has built-in backup functionality, in some cases you may need more advanced features to regularly monitor and manage your backup policy to ensure the security and availability of your VMs in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Vinchin Backup & Recovery provides a powerful backup solution for virtual machine environments. The software supports multiple media, including USB and disk, and spans multiple virtualization platforms, such as Proxmox, VMware, Hyper-V and more. With comprehensive and flexible features such as agentless backup, instant recovery and V2V migration, enterprises can customize their backup strategy to ensure that critical data is reliably protected and efficiently managed in virtualized environments.

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 users with the opportunity to explore the full functionality through a complimentary 60-day trial in a real-world environment. This trial allows users to experience the robust features of Vinchin Backup & Recovery firsthand. For additional details or inquiries, feel free to reach out directly to Vinchin or connect with our local partners.

Proxmox backup VM to usb drive FAQs

Q1: How do you select a USB drive for Proxmox VM backup, and what considerations should you keep in mind?

A1: Choose a USB drive with sufficient capacity for your VMs. Ensure compatibility with Proxmox and consider factors like USB drive speed for optimal performance. Format the USB drive to a compatible file system.

Q2: How do you verify the integrity of your Proxmox VM backups on a USB drive?

A2: Periodically test the restoration process by recovering a VM from the backup on the USB drive. Check logs for any errors and ensure that the restored VM functions correctly.

Q3: Are there any performance considerations when running backups to a USB drive in Proxmox?

A3: USB drive speed and system load during backup processes can impact performance. Schedule backups during low-traffic periods, and consider using faster USB drives for improved backup speed.

Conclusion

Proxmox backup of VMs to USB drives offers advantages in terms of data security, portability, and more. The process consists of creating a virtual machine backup and storing it on a USB drive connected to the Proxmox host. Consider taking advantage of the more advanced features offered by Vinchin Backup & Recovery to achieve a comprehensive backup solution for effective management and protection of VMs across various virtualization platforms.