Proxmox improves its backup strategy with S3 support and smarter automation.
Proxmox has rolled out version 4.0 of its Backup Server platform, marking a significant step forward in open-source data protection tools. Built on the recently released Debian 13 “Trixie,” this update introduces native support for S3-compatible object storage. It enables live expansion of RAIDZ storage pools, both aimed at improving scalability and operational efficiency.
Proxmox Backup Server 4.0 Highlights
The updated platform is backed by Linux kernel 6.14 and includes ZFS version 2.3.3, enhancing performance, hardware compatibility, and data integrity. These under-the-hood upgrades help position Proxmox Backup Server 4.0 as a more comprehensive solution for organizations managing large and dynamic data environments.
A significant feature in this release is full integration with S3-compatible object storage. With native S3 API support, users can now back up data directly to public or private cloud storage that adheres to the S3 standard. To avoid excessive costs and latency, the system uses local caching and reduces backend API calls by retaining frequently accessed metadata and data chunks. While a single Backup Server instance must manage each S3 datastore, the stored content remains accessible for disaster recovery if that instance becomes unavailable.
Another functional enhancement is support for live RAIDZ expansion. With updates in ZFS 2.3.3, administrators can now grow existing RAIDZ pools by adding drives without taking systems offline. This allows for more flexible scaling of storage infrastructure without over-provisioning or service interruption.
Version 4.0 also introduces the ability to automate sync jobs for removable datastores. A new “run-on-mount” flag allows backup jobs to execute automatically as soon as a removable drive is connected. This simplifies workflows and ensures that critical data is kept in sync, even in more distributed or mobile environments.
Proxmox Backup Server integrates closely with Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE), recently updated to version 9.0, allowing users to designate a Proxmox Backup datastore as a storage target from within VE for streamlined management.
Proxmox Backup Server 4.0 Pricing and Availability
Proxmox Backup Server 4.0 is now available for download as a full-featured ISO or for installation on top of Debian. Upgrades from version 3 are supported with a detailed migration path. As with previous releases, the software is open-source under the GNU AGPLv3 license. For enterprise users, Proxmox offers a support subscription model starting at €540 ($630) per server, which includes unlimited storage and client support, access to the enterprise repository, and regular updates.
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