I'm looking to improve my current backup strategy, which mainly relies on file-based backups and some custom scripts for VM backups. While it gets the job done, I know there's room for improvement!
Here's what I'm working with:
- A few Linux servers running Debian 12
- Several ESX hosts (versions 8 and 7) mostly with Debian VMs
- Two Proxmox hosts with Debian VMs
- One Windows Server 2019, mainly for admin tools, not really a backup priority
- Most of these servers are Dell with RAID and DRAC capabilities
My current goals are:
- A backup solution that allows me to backup and restore entire VMs, ideally with incremental backups
- The ability to redeploy or install physical servers as needed
- An offsite syncing solution, not relying on tape, again ideally incremental or differential
I still want to ensure that I can recover individual files from specific dates as well.
Does anyone have suggestions on a system that can cover most or all of these needs? Or is using something like DRBD for offsite syncing a valid option? I have looked into options like Bareos, which seems nice, but I'm not sure about offsite capabilities. Veeam sounds good but I'm put off by the jargon on their site. Any help would be appreciated!
6 Answers
Veeam can handle all your requirements effectively. It integrates well with vCenter for VMware backups and even supports Proxmox now! Plus, they have agents for physical servers like Debian 12 and Windows Server 2019. So, it might be the perfect fit for your setup.
Check out BDRSuite as well; it seems to cover most of your requirements as well!
When it comes to offsite solutions, I wouldn't recommend DRBD; it has more downsides than upsides. Instead, consider rsync over SSH for simplicity, or rclone for cloud storage. It's great for managing your backups and ensures security with encryption if you need it. If you're using ZFS, its replication via ssh is super efficient! Good luck with your backups!
For your VM needs, you might want to automate the backup process rather than manually implementing each one. Tools like Restic or Kopia can help you with this automation and ensure you have solid data backups. It simplifies everything, from backup to VM creation and restoration, streamlining your workflow.
I get it, but not all VMs are the same! Automating each unique VM would add complexity, don’t you think? I'm looking into Restic and Kopia too but still weigh their simplicity against the unique VM needs.
I'm using Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud and really like it. The only slight hassle is reinstalling the SnapAPI module after kernel updates for Linux. But it does an excellent job with backups. For anyone curious, Acronis SnapAPI enables snapshot backups like VSS on Windows, although it needs pre-compilation for each kernel update.
Good to know! Acronis setup can be tricky, but posting pre-compiled modules helps with management. Thanks for the tips!
It sounds like you're juggling a lot! For those VMs, backing up images during significant changes might be enough. In Proxmox, you can utilize the built-in backup options, and for ESXi, exporting to OVF works too. Regular DB dumps are also a good idea. Check out BorgBackup for deduplication and efficient backup retention. And if you follow the 3-2-1 backup rule, you could offsite sync with S3, which is smart and cost-effective.
You're right, it really varies per VM! Some only change a little, while others can be pretty dynamic. It's a common scenario, especially in mixed environments like homelabs.
Absolutely! Veeam is a game changer if you have the budget. I've got it running at home as well and it's met all my needs.