# How to Install Proxmox Backup Server

How to Install Proxmox Backup Server – Server administration and Linux knowledge from NexoraHost.

This guide shows you step by step how to install Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) – either directly on hardware (bare-metal) or on an existing Debian system. PBS is a standalone backup solution developed specifically for Proxmox VE that enables incremental, deduplicated backups.

**Note:** Detailed subpages on backup strategies and recovery can be found in the left navigation.

## Which installation method?

    - **Bare-metal installation (recommended):** Direct installation on a dedicated server or VM via the official ISO. Cleaner and easier
- **Installation on Debian:** Installation on an existing Debian system. Useful if you want to run PBS alongside other services on one server

## Requirements

    - **Processor:** 64-bit CPU with 2 or more cores
- **RAM:** At least 2 GB, 4 GB recommended (more RAM improves backup performance)
- **Storage:** Sufficient storage space for backups – depending on VM size, 100 GB to several TB. SSD or HDD possible, separate backup volume recommended
- **Network:** Stable connection to the Proxmox VE host, at least 1 Gbit/s recommended

## Installation method A: Bare-metal (recommended)

### Step 1: Download the ISO file

    - Visit the official Proxmox website: [proxmox.com/downloads](https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads)
- Select the **Proxmox Backup Server** tab
- Download the latest PBS ISO file
- Verify the SHA256 checksum to avoid installation errors:
        `# Linux
sha256sum proxmox-backup-server_*.iso

# Windows PowerShell
Get-FileHash proxmox-backup-server_*.iso -Algorithm SHA256`
    

### Step 2: Create a bootable USB stick

**On Linux:**

`sudo dd if=proxmox-backup-server_*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
sudo sync`
Replace `/dev/sdX` with your USB drive (find it with `lsblk`).

**On Windows:**

Use the tool **Rufus** to write the ISO to a USB stick.

### Step 3: Boot the server from the USB stick

    - Insert the USB stick and restart the server
- Enter BIOS/UEFI during startup (F2, Del or Esc)
- Adjust boot order: Set USB stick to first position
- Save changes and restart

### Step 4: Install PBS

    - Select **"Install Proxmox Backup Server"** in the boot menu
- Accept the license terms (EULA)
- Select target disk – recommended: use entire disk with **ext4** or **ZFS**
- Set country, timezone and keyboard layout
- Set root password and enter email address
- Configure network:
        
            - Select network interface
- Assign a **static IP address** (recommended for servers)
- Set hostname (e.g. `pbs.your-domain.com`)
- Enter gateway and DNS server

    
- Start installation – takes a few minutes
- After completion, **remove the USB stick** and restart the server

## Installation method B: Install on Debian

### Step 1: Prepare Debian

`apt update && apt upgrade -y
reboot`
Make sure your hostname resolves to the IP address (in `/etc/hosts`):

`127.0.0.1       localhost
192.168.15.78   pbs.your-domain.com pbs`
Check with: `hostname --ip-address`

### Step 2: Add PBS repository

`# Import GPG key
sudo wget https://enterprise.proxmox.com/debian/proxmox-release-bookworm.gpg -O /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/proxmox-release-bookworm.gpg

# Add repository
echo "deb http://download.proxmox.com/debian/pbs bookworm pbs-no-subscription" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pbs-install-repo.list

# Update package list
sudo apt update`

### Step 3: Install PBS kernel

`sudo apt install proxmox-backup-server-kernel -y
sudo reboot`

### Step 4: Install PBS packages

`sudo apt install proxmox-backup-server -y`

## First steps after installation

### 1. Access the web interface

Open in your browser:

`https://your-pbs-ip:8007`
On first access, an SSL warning appears – this is normal (self-signed certificate). Confirm and continue.

Log in with:

    - **Username:** root
- **Password:** Your set root password
- **Realm:** Linux PAM standard authentication

### 2. Disable enterprise repository (for no-subscription)

If you don't have a Proxmox subscription, a warning message appears. Remove it like this:

`sudo sed -i 's/^deb/#deb/' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pbs-enterprise.list
sudo apt update`
The system will then use the already configured free no-subscription repository.

### 3. Set up a datastore

A datastore is the storage location for your backups. You can use a separate drive or directory for it:

    - In the web interface: **Administration → Storage/Disks**
- Select a free disk or partition
- Click **Directory: Create**
- Assign a name (e.g. `backup-store`)
- Select the filesystem (ext4 or xfs recommended)
- Click **Create**

### 4. Create backup user

    - Go to **Configuration → Access Control → User Management**
- Click **Add**
- Set a username (e.g. `backup@pbs`) and a secure password
- Click **Add**
- Switch to the **Permissions** tab
- Click **Add → User Permission**
- Select:
        
            - **User:** Your created backup user
- **Path:** `/datastore/your-datastore`
- **Role:** `DatastoreBackup`

    
- Click **Add**

### 5. Update the system

`sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y`

## Hardware recommendations

    
        Use case
        RAM
        CPU
        Storage
    

    
        Small (1-5 VMs)
        2-4 GB
        2 cores
        100-500 GB
    

    
        Medium (5-20 VMs)
        4-8 GB
        4 cores
        500 GB - 2 TB
    

    
        Large (20+ VMs)
        8-16 GB
        6-8 cores
        2 TB+ (RAID recommended)
    

## Quick checklist

    - Provide server or VM with at least 2 GB RAM
- Download PBS ISO and verify checksum
- Create bootable USB stick (dd or Rufus)
- Boot from USB and perform installation
- Assign static IP
- After installation, remove USB and restart
- Access web interface at https://your-pbs-ip:8007
- Disable enterprise repo (if no subscription)
- Set up datastore
- Create backup user and integrate with Proxmox VE

*Detailed guides on backup strategies, encryption and disaster recovery can be found in the articles in the left navigation.*