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From July 20 to 25, 2026, DebConf26 – the 27th Debian Conference – will take place in Santa Fe, Argentina. After more than a decade, this significant event returns to the country where it was previously held (2008 in Mar del Plata), bringing together Debian developers, users, and enthusiasts.

For credativ and all participants, this conference is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the further development of Debian GNU/Linux – one of the most important projects in the field of free software, supported by a global community of volunteers. DebConf offers not only technical workshops and presentations but also hacklabs where people work together on Debian projects. At the same time, it strengthens local communities like Debian Argentina, which gains more visibility and support by hosting the conference. The presentations will be streamed live and will be available later in the video archive (thanks, video team!).

For me as a credativ employee, participating in DebConf26 means gaining new perspectives, expanding networks, and actively contributing to the future of free software. Because Debian thrives on collaboration, knowledge transfer, and the passion of its community – values that credativ also lives every day as an open-source company.

http://debconf26.debconf.org

credativ expands its offering:

Since our founding in 1999, we at credativ GmbH have been committed to the idea of free software and provide technical support for open-source software in enterprise use. Now we are combining the many years of expertise of our PostgreSQL® Competence Center with STACKIT, the powerful cloud provider from Schwarz Digits: From now on, we also offer our proven PostgreSQL services tailored specifically for STACKIT customers.

Whether you are planning to move to the cloud or already operate instances on the STACKIT platform – our expert team supports you with over 25 years of PostgreSQL experience.

Smooth migration to PostgreSQL on STACKIT

Switching from a proprietary database management system (such as Oracle, DB2, Informix or MS SQL Server) to PostgreSQL requires precise planning. Our new service “Migration to PostgreSQL on STACKIT” supports you with a secure, predictable and high-performance migration. We rely not only on our team’s experience, but also on our in-house developed and continuously maintained open-source tool credativ-pg-migrator and, if required, can fall back on the commercial analysis software for Oracle databases, Cortex, which our partner Splendid Data has in its portfolio.

Our services include, among other things:

• Inventory and analysis of dependencies in the existing database.
• Preparation of the target environment on STACKIT.
• Detailed migration planning including a downtime concept to control and minimize outages.
• Execution of the migration and subsequent optimization.

Consulting, workshops and 24/7 support

For customers who already rely on STACKIT or want to make optimal use of their new instances, we offer comprehensive consulting and support. We help with the initial setup, planning instance sizes, permissions management and application connectivity.

We also won’t leave you alone during ongoing operations: We analyze and optimize your existing STACKIT instances and work with you in dedicated workshops to develop solutions for query optimization or runtime configuration. Should problems arise in your production environment, we respond quickly – optionally also with our guaranteed 24/7 support.

Cross-platform consulting by certified experts

Our specialists are long-standing members and active developers in the international PostgreSQL community. We also support you across platforms with hybrid approaches, such as connecting or migrating your on-premise instances to the STACKIT cloud. As a German IT services company certified to ISO 27001 and ISO 9001, we meet the highest requirements for quality and data protection.

Get in touch

Would you like to learn more about our new PostgreSQL services on the STACKIT Marketplace? We’ll be happy to support you with your next project. You can reach our sales team by phone at +49 2161 9174200, from within Germany also toll-free at 0800-credativ (0800-2733284), or by email at vertrieb@credativ.de.

You can find our current offers on the STACKIT Marketplace here:

• https://marketplace.stackit.cloud/de/catalog/postgresql-consultin-320cbee0
• https://marketplace.stackit.cloud/de/catalog/migration-nach-postg-8411e8b0

Container health checking in Kubernetes is an automated system that continuously monitors the state of containers and initiates appropriate actions when problems occur. Kubernetes uses various probe types such as Liveness, Readiness and Startup Probes to ensure that containers function properly and applications remain available. (more…)

The Linux® installation for beginners may seem complex at first glance, but with the right guidance, switching to the open-source operating system is entirely achievable. Linux® offers security and stability, as well as full cost transparency with no licensing fees. This guide walks you through the key steps for a successful Linux® installation: from choosing the right distribution and partitioning to the first configuration after booting. (more…)

The Linux® market share is expected to continue growing through 2026, particularly in the areas of servers, cloud computing, and enterprise solutions. While Linux® still occupies a niche in desktop systems, it is already widely adopted in servers and cloud infrastructures. This development significantly influences corporate decisions, as Linux & Open Source solutions offer both cost savings and technical flexibility.

What does the current Linux market share mean for companies?

According to current analyses by Statista and Lansweeper, Linux will hold a desktop market share of over 5% in 2026 and is represented with over 70% in the server segment (source: W3Techs, 2026) as well as nearly 100% of the world’s top 500 supercomputers (source: TOP500.org, 2026). This distribution clearly shows where Linux & Open Source is used—and which strategic opportunities companies can derive from it.

In the server segment, companies use Linux due to its stability, security, and cost efficiency. Cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services®, Google Cloud®, and Microsoft® Azure® base their infrastructures largely on Linux systems. This widespread adoption makes Linux expertise relevant for IT teams.

Sources: Statista, TOP500.org, IDC, W3Techs – data from 2026; deviations possible depending on the survey method.

For business decisions, this specifically means:

• Reduced licensing costs by eliminating proprietary operating system licenses
• Flexibility in adapting systems to specific requirements
• Security through transparent source code and rapid patch cycles
• Independence from individual vendors and their licensing policies

Mobile devices further reinforce this trend, as Android® is based on the Linux kernel and thus accounts for a large share of mobile operating systems. This widespread adoption creates an ecosystem in which Linux competencies are becoming increasingly relevant.

How is Linux developing compared to other operating systems?

Linux shows different development patterns compared to Windows® and macOS® depending on the area of deployment. While Windows continues to lead the desktop market, Linux is continuously gaining market share in the server sector with distributions such as Ubuntu®, Red Hat® Enterprise Linux, and SUSE®.

In enterprise environments, Linux is valued for its adaptability and the ability to tailor systems precisely to corporate requirements. Windows remains established in office environments, but comes with licensing costs.

An overview of the most important enterprise Linux distributions:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) – ideal for companies with high stability and certification requirements, with a long-term support cycle
• Ubuntu LTS – widely used in cloud and DevOps environments, with clear release cycles and broad community support
• SUSE Linux Enterprise – particularly strong in SAP® environments and in industries with high compliance requirements
• Debian – the basis of many distributions, known for exceptional stability and security, preferred in critical infrastructures

The characteristics of Linux are particularly evident in:

• Container technologies and microservice architectures
• Cloud-native applications and DevOps environments
• IoT devices and embedded systems
• High-performance computing and scientific applications

macOS maintains its position in creative industries, while Linux is growing in technical and development-oriented environments. This specialization leads many companies to pursue hybrid approaches where different operating systems are used depending on the use case.

A more differentiated view also shows: in the desktop segment, development is not linear. Steam surveys from Q1 2026 show, for example, that Linux temporarily lost market share before stabilizing again. In the consumer space, Windows remains the dominant platform, and barriers to entry for end users—especially regarding software compatibility and familiar user interfaces—still exist. For companies, an honest assessment of these factors is the basis for any well-founded migration decision.

The trend shows: Linux gains market share wherever technical flexibility, cost efficiency, and adaptability are relevant. Linux & Open Source technologies thus become a strategic option for forward-thinking companies.

Which factors will influence Linux growth until 2026?

Linux growth through 2026 will be primarily driven by cloud computing, containerization, and digital transformation. These technology trends increase demand for flexible, cost-effective, and secure operating systems, making Linux & Open Source solutions increasingly relevant.

Cloud computing remains a key growth driver. Since most cloud infrastructures are based on Linux, cloud adoption automatically increases Linux usage. According to industry analyses by IDC and Gartner, the share of Linux-based workloads in the cloud will continue to rise through 2026, as hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft® Azure operate the majority of their infrastructures on a Linux basis. ChromeOS®, which is based on the Linux kernel, also contributes to overall growth: in the education sector and in government agencies, ChromeOS is seeing significant adoption rates, which lifts the overall Linux-based desktop share to over 10% when all Linux derivatives are included. Growing interest is also reflected in download figures for individual distributions: some Linux distributions recently recorded millions of downloads within just a few weeks—a clear signal of rising demand.

Container technologies such as Docker® and Kubernetes® or virtualization with, for example, Proxmox®, which primarily run on Linux, are changing how applications are developed and deployed. These technologies enable companies to scale and manage applications more efficiently.

Other decisive factors include:

• Internet of Things (IoT) – Linux runs on many IoT devices due to its adaptability
• Cost savings – no license fees and reduced hardware requirements
• Security aspects – transparent code and fast security updates
• Edge Computing – Linux is well-suited for decentralized computing architectures
• Artificial Intelligence – most AI frameworks run on Linux
• Gaming and consumer adoption – Steam surveys from April 2026 show that 4.5% to 5.3% of all active players use Linux, driven by the Steam Deck® and the Proton compatibility layer. This signals growing everyday viability for Linux beyond the enterprise segment as well.

A broader consumer ecosystem also has concrete implications for companies: the more private users rely on Linux in everyday life, the larger the pool of employees with basic Linux skills. This noticeably reduces training requirements during migrations and makes internal acceptance of new systems easier.

The growing importance of open source in digital transformation further reinforces this development. Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of open standards and vendor-independent solutions for their long-term IT strategy.

Why are companies increasingly switching to Linux in 2026?

In addition to Linux’s long-term strategic advantages, 2026 brings concrete, current triggers that make the switch particularly urgent for many companies. These factors directly affect IT decision-makers in their day-to-day planning responsibilities and require timely action.

The end of Windows 10 support creates immediate pressure to act

With official support for Windows 10 ending, many companies face a fundamental decision: either invest in a paid upgrade to Windows 11 or evaluate an alternative platform. Compounding this, Windows 11 introduces new minimum hardware requirements that older devices do not meet. For companies that do not want to fully renew their hardware inventory, Linux offers an economically attractive alternative that runs reliably on proven hardware.

Data protection concerns about integrated AI features in Windows

AI features deeply integrated into the operating system—such as those Microsoft is increasingly introducing in Windows, or has announced it will introduce—raise significant concerns among IT security teams. According to a survey of IT security leaders, 67% of respondents fear potential data leakage through such functions. For companies processing personal or business-critical data, this is a serious risk factor that must be assessed as part of GDPR compliance.

Growing distrust of US technology corporations

In Germany and Europe, awareness is growing of the risks of one-sided dependence on US technology providers. Geopolitical uncertainties and changing regulatory frameworks have significantly increased interest in sovereign, European-controlled IT solutions. Linux provides a vendor-independent foundation that gives companies more control over their IT infrastructure. This aspect is explored in more depth in the following section on the specific benefits for German companies.

Why are more and more German companies relying on Linux?

German companies are increasingly turning to Linux because it complies with the strict data protection requirements of the GDPR and allows full control over data processing and storage. The transparency of Linux & Open Source systems significantly facilitates the fulfillment of compliance requirements.

Regulatory aspects play a decisive role. German authorities and companies value the ability to audit the source code and ensure that no hidden functions or backdoors exist. This transparency is particularly important for critical infrastructures and sensitive data processing.

Cost factors further reinforce Linux adoption in Germany. Small and medium-sized enterprises can achieve significant savings by eliminating licensing costs, which can then be invested in other areas of digitalization.

Specific aspects for German companies:

• Data sovereignty through full control over IT systems
• Independence from individual technology vendors
• Support for the European digital strategy
• Promotion of local IT expertise and innovation
• Long-term planning security without licensing surprises

A common prejudice is that Linux is complicated and only suitable for technically savvy users. Modern Linux distributions refute this impressively: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS offers five years of guaranteed stability and an intuitive user interface that Windows switchers quickly become familiar with. Distributions such as Linux Mint® are designed specifically for switching from Windows® and provide a familiar desktop environment. For companies, this means: with a well-planned migration, training requirements are significantly lower than often assumed—especially when supported professionally by experienced specialists.

The German preference for engineering excellence and technical perfection aligns with the Linux philosophy. Open source enables German companies to optimize systems according to their exact requirements while meeting high quality standards.

How credativ® helps with Linux migration and support

credativ supports companies in the successful introduction and operation of Linux systems since 1999 through comprehensive consulting, professional migration, and continuous 24/7 support. As a vendor-independent company, we offer tailored Linux & Open Source solutions for companies of any size.

Our Linux services include:

• Strategic consulting for Linux migrations and system architectures
• Professional migration of existing systems to Linux platforms
• 24/7 support for Debian Linux, PostgreSQL®, and other open-source projects
• Training and knowledge transfer for internal IT teams
• Long-term maintenance and optimization of Linux infrastructures

As a German company, we understand the specific requirements of the German market, including data protection regulations and compliance requirements. Our support team consists exclusively of permanent specialists without an intermediate call center.

Would you like to leverage the possibilities of Linux for your company? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and learn how we can successfully implement your Linux migration. Schedule an appointment with our Linux experts today.

Transparency notice

credativ® is an authorized reseller for Red Hat® (Red Hat Inc.) and PostgreSQL® Competence Center (PostgreSQL Community). Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Windows®, Microsoft®, and Azure® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Amazon Web Services® is a registered trademark of Amazon.com Inc. Google Cloud® is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Android® is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Ubuntu® is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd. SUSE® is a registered trademark of SUSE LLC. Docker® is a registered trademark of Docker Inc. Kubernetes® is a registered trademark of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. macOS® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Steam Deck® is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation. Linux Mint® is a registered trademark of the Linux Mint Project. ChromeOS® is a registered trademark of Google LLC. SAP® is a registered trademark of SAP SE.

The mention of trademarks serves solely for the factual description of migration scenarios and services of credativ GmbH. There is no business relationship with the mentioned trademark owners.

Linux® is indeed available free of charge, but the total cost for companies goes far beyond license fees. While you do not need to purchase software licenses, costs arise for support, training, migration, and professional services. The true cost of Linux & open-source software lies in implementation and ongoing operations—not in the software itself.

Proxmox® VE is fundamentally free – the Community Edition is released under AGPL and can be used completely free of charge. For companies that require professional support and extended features, there are paid Enterprise Subscriptions. Additionally, there are alternative service offerings that replace vendor support. The actual costs depend on your specific requirements, the desired support level, and additional factors such as hardware and administration.

What is Proxmox and why is it interesting for companies?

Proxmox VE is an open-source virtualization platform that combines KVM virtualization and LXC containers on a unified web interface. The software enables companies to efficiently utilize physical servers by running multiple virtual machines on a single host system.

For businesses, Proxmox offers several decisive advantages: The platform reduces hardware costs through optimized server utilization, simplifies IT management through central administration, and provides high availability through cluster functions. As an open-source solution, there are no license costs for the basic functions.

The platform is characterized by a flexible cost model. While commercial hypervisor solutions often demand significant license fees, you can use Proxmox without restrictions on virtualization functions. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, benefit from this cost-efficient approach.

Which Proxmox versions are available and what do they cost?

Proxmox offers two main versions: the free Community Edition and the paid Enterprise Subscription. The Community Edition – not to be confused with the Community Subscription – includes all virtualization functions without functional limitations but uses free update repositories.

The Enterprise Subscription offers various support levels with different response times and ticket quotas. Current prices and service scopes can be found at https://www.proxmox.com/de/produkte/proxmox-virtual-environment/preise.

The main difference lies not in the features, but in the support level and update repositories. Enterprise customers gain access to stable, tested updates and professional support directly from the Proxmox team. The Community Edition offers the same technical capabilities, but without guaranteed support services. In between, there is also the so-called Community Subscription, where the customer gets access to the Enterprise repositories for a small annual fee. Proxmox Server Solutions points out that they do not consider the Community Subscription to be Enterprise-ready, as there is no claim to support from the manufacturer. However, it must be noted here that there are alternative support offerings for this version, such as credativ’s Virtualization Services for Proxmox.

When is a Proxmox Enterprise Subscription really worthwhile?

An Enterprise Subscription is worthwhile if your company relies on stable, productive virtualization environments and requires professional support. Critical business applications that demand high availability justify the investment in Enterprise support.

Decision criteria for switching include:

• Productive environments with critical applications
• More than 10–15 virtual machines in operation
• Lack of internal Linux® and virtualization expertise
• Compliance requirements that necessitate professional support
• 24/7 operation without internal night shifts

The Return on Investment is demonstrated through reduced downtime, faster problem resolution, and predictable update cycles. If the cost of a one-hour system outage exceeds the annual subscription costs, the Enterprise version clearly pays off.

credativ® as an open-source company recommends that customers acquire at least the Community Subscription to gain access to stable repositories and simultaneously support the project.

What are the hidden costs of Proxmox implementations?

In addition to licensing costs, other expenses often underestimated arise. Hardware requirements, training, ongoing administration, and backup solutions can significantly influence the total costs. Realistic budget planning should consider these factors.

Additional cost factors include:

• Hardware: Servers, storage, network equipment (often 70–80% of total costs)
• Training: 2–5 days of training per administrator
• Administration: 10–20% of a full-time position for smaller environments
• Backup software: Various solutions available
• Monitoring tools: Diverse options depending on requirements
• Disaster Recovery: Hardware and location costs

A realistic total cost estimate for a small business environment over three years is €15,000–€50,000, with hardware accounting for the largest share. Plan for approximately 20–30% buffer for unforeseen requirements.

How does Proxmox differ from other virtualization solutions in terms of cost?

Proxmox offers a flexible cost model compared to commercial solutions. While VMware vSphere® or Microsoft® Hyper-V® incur licensing costs, Proxmox® only has optional support costs. This can significantly reduce the Total Cost of Ownership.

Further differences emerge when considering TCO: Proxmox requires more Linux® expertise but offers complete control over the system. Commercial solutions often provide more extensive management tools but incur ongoing licensing costs. Some integrate seamlessly into Windows® environments but require corresponding server licenses.

The main advantage of Proxmox lies in its scalability without license tier jumps. While commercial solutions can become exponentially more expensive with growing infrastructure, Proxmox costs remain linearly predictable.

How does credativ support Proxmox implementations?

credativ® offers comprehensive services for Proxmox projects, from initial consultation to ongoing operation. Our expertise includes license consulting, professional installation, 24/7 support, and training for your IT teams. We also assist with complex migrations from existing virtualization platforms.

Our specific services for Proxmox include:

• Needs analysis and license consulting for optimal cost control
• Professional installation and configuration of Proxmox® clusters
• 24/7 support and maintenance by certified Linux® specialists
• Authorized partner of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH
• Practical training for administrators and IT teams
• Migration from existing virtualization platforms
• Backup and Disaster Recovery concepts
• Performance optimization and monitoring setup

Our specialists have many years of experience with open-source virtualization and support you with all aspects of your Proxmox® implementation. From hardware dimensioning to the automation of administrative tasks – we ensure the smooth operation of your virtualization infrastructure.

Arrange a non-binding consultation today to learn how Proxmox can reduce your IT costs while increasing the flexibility of your infrastructure. Contact us for an individual analysis of your requirements.

Transparency notice

Proxmox® is a registered trademark of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH (credativ® = authorized reseller). Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. VMware® and vSphere® are registered trademarks of Broadcom Inc. Microsoft®, Windows® and Hyper-V® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

The mention of the brands serves exclusively for the factual description of migration scenarios and services provided by credativ®. There is no business relationship with the mentioned brand owners without explicit mention of a partnership.

Proxmox® installation is a crucial step for companies looking to implement a professional virtualization solution. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire Proxmox VE installation process and help you set up a stable hypervisor environment. You will need basic Linux® knowledge and approximately 2–3 hours for the complete installation and basic configuration. For this Proxmox guide, you will need a dedicated server with at least 4 GB RAM, an 8 GB USB stick, and access to the target computer’s BIOS. After completing these steps, you will have a fully functional Proxmox VE system for your server virtualization. Please note, however, that this hardware configuration is far too limited for a production system. For initial steps, however, it is suitable. (more…)

The decision for credativ Proxmox Enterprise Support depends on your business requirements, the criticality of your virtualization environment, and your available internal IT resources. Enterprise Support offers professional assistance, stable updates, and advanced features, while the Community Edition remains free but without guaranteed support. This analysis will help you make the right decision for your company.

What is Proxmox Enterprise Support and how does it differ from the Community Edition?

Proxmox Enterprise Support is the paid version of the virtualization platform, offering professional support, stable updates, and access to enterprise repositories. The community repositories provide the same basic functionality for free, but without a support guarantee and with less thoroughly tested updates. Both versions are provided by Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH under the AGPL license. However, there is an important additional distinction: those who wish to save costs can gain access to the enterprise repositories by purchasing a so-called Community Subscription. This, however, only includes access and no further support.

The most significant difference lies in the support level. Enterprise customers receive direct access to the Proxmox team for technical issues, while community users rely on forums and community assistance. Enterprise Support includes various service levels, from Standard to Premium, with different response times.

The update cycles differ significantly. Enterprise repositories contain thoroughly tested, stable updates optimized for production environments. Community updates appear more frequently but are less intensively tested and can be more unstable.

Additional enterprise features include advanced backup options, cluster management tools, and specialized monitoring options. These features are not available in the Community Edition and are specifically tailored to enterprise requirements.

When is Proxmox Enterprise Support worthwhile for businesses?

Enterprise Support is particularly worthwhile for companies with critical production environments, limited internal IT resources, or strict compliance requirements. Companies with approximately 50 employees or more, or those with high availability demands, generally benefit from professional support.

A critical factor is the availability requirements of your systems. If outages cause high costs or significantly disrupt business processes, investing in Enterprise Support is justified. This applies particularly to e-commerce, financial service providers, or manufacturing operations.

Internal IT expertise plays a crucial role. If specialized virtualization experts are lacking in the team, Enterprise Support provides valuable assistance with complex problems. Smaller IT teams particularly benefit from the available expertise.

Compliance requirements may necessitate Enterprise Support. Many industries require documented support for audit purposes. Enterprise Support provides the necessary documentation and traceability for regulated environments.

What does Proxmox Enterprise Support cost and what licensing models are available?

Proxmox Enterprise Support is licensed per CPU socket with various support levels. Prices start at 120 Euros per socket per year for access to the enterprise repositories without support, while Premium Support incurs significantly higher costs but offers faster response times. (As of January 1, 2026)

The Basic or Standard package includes access to enterprise repositories, updates, and email support during business hours. This level is suitable for smaller environments without particularly high availability requirements.

Premium Support offers shorter response times and extended services. The costs are significantly higher, but for critical systems, they are well justified by minimized downtime.

Additional cost factors include the number of CPU sockets, desired response times, and special services such as on-site support or individual training. Larger deployments often receive volume discounts.

What alternatives are there to Proxmox Enterprise Support?

Alternatives to official Enterprise Support include Community Support, third-party service providers, in-house expertise development, or hybrid approaches. Each option offers different advantages and disadvantages depending on the company’s situation.

Community support via forums and documentation remains free but offers no guarantees for response times or problem resolution. Experienced IT teams can often find solutions independently, while less experienced teams may struggle.

Support from specialized third-party providers like credativ GmbH can be more cost-effective than official Enterprise Support. These providers often understand local requirements better and offer more flexible service packages. However, quality varies among providers.

Developing in-house expertise through training and certifications offers long-term independence but requires investment in personnel and time. Hybrid approaches combine internal expertise with external open-source support for particularly complex problems.

How credativ® helps with Proxmox decisions and support

credativ® supports you in the strategic decision for the appropriate Proxmox support strategy and offers comprehensive technical support for your virtualization environment. As a vendor-independent open-source specialist, we analyze your requirements and develop tailored support concepts.

Our Proxmox services include:

• Needs analysis and support strategy consulting for your virtualization environment
• 24/7 technical support with direct access to Linux and virtualization experts
• Optional: Proactive monitoring and maintenance of your Proxmox clusters
• Migration and implementation of Proxmox solutions
• Training and knowledge transfer for your IT teams
• Hybrid support models as an alternative to pure Enterprise Support

With over 25 years of experience in the open-source sector, we offer you the security of professional support without vendor lock-in. Contact us for a free consultation on your optimal Proxmox support strategy.

The correct setup of a Proxmox® Backup Server is crucial for data security in businesses. This guide shows you how to fully configure Proxmox PBS from installation to automation.

Why Proxmox Backup Server is a professional solution

Proxmox Backup Server offers businesses a cost-efficient backup solution with a flexible licensing model. The open-source solution integrates seamlessly into existing Proxmox VE environments and provides professional features without the overhead of proprietary alternatives.

Key advantages of Proxmox PBS:

• Automatic deduplication significantly reduces storage requirements
• End-to-end encryption protects sensitive data
• Incremental backups minimize network load
• Web interface simplifies management
• Scalability from small to large environments

Direct integration with Proxmox VE enables VM backups without additional agents. Furthermore, other data sources can be integrated via standard protocols.

System Requirements and Preparation

Before installation, check all hardware and software requirements to ensure stable operation.

Minimum hardware requirements:

• CPU: 64-bit processor with at least 2 cores
• RAM: 4 GB (8 GB recommended for larger environments)
• Storage: 32 GB for the system plus separate backup storage
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet recommended

The backup server requires a fixed IP address and access to all systems to be backed up. Ensure that your firewall rules allow traffic on Port 8007 (web interface) and Port 8009 (backup protocol).

Plan storage requirements realistically: Calculate the space needed for your full backups plus 20–30% for metadata and deduplication overhead.

Install and Configure Proxmox Backup Server

Download the latest Proxmox Backup Server ISO image from the official website. Then, create a bootable USB stick or mount the ISO directly in your virtualization environment.

Start the system from the installation medium. The installer will guide you step-by-step through the basic configuration:

1. Select target disk for installation
2. Configure time zone and keyboard layout
3. Set a secure root password
4. Configure network settings with a fixed IP
5. Confirm installation parameters and start installation

After restarting, you can access the web interface at https://your-ip:8007. Log in with the root account and check the network and DNS configuration under “Administration”.

Create additional user accounts for daily operation. The root account should only be used for administrative tasks, not for regular backup jobs. A detailed step-by-step guide can be found in our older article.

Set up Backup Repositories and Storage

Navigate to “Datastore” and click “Add Datastore” to set up the first data store for your backups. Assign a meaningful name and select the target path. For optimal performance, separate hard drives or RAID arrays are recommended.

Important configuration options in the Datastore:

• GC Schedule: Automatic garbage collection for deleted backups
• Prune Schedule: Automatic deletion of old backups according to defined retention rules
• Verify Schedule: Regular integrity check of backup data

PBS automatically activates deduplication. It detects identical data blocks and stores them only once – for VMs with similar operating systems, savings of 50–80% are realistic.

Test the datastore with a small test backup before setting up production jobs. Check write speed and available storage space.

Create and Automate Backup Jobs

For Proxmox® VE VMs, configure backup jobs directly in the VE interface under “Datacenter” > “Backup”. Create a new job there with the following parameters:

1. Select PBS as storage target
2. Define VMs or containers for backup
3. Set schedule (daily, weekly)
4. Configure retention rules (keep-daily, keep-weekly, keep-monthly)
5. Enable email notifications

For other data sources, use the Proxmox® Backup Client. Install it on the source systems and control backup execution via cron jobs and backup scripts.

Run each backup job manually once before automation. Check the log files for errors and ensure that all desired data is fully captured.

Monitoring: Configure email notifications for successful and failed backups. Regularly monitor backup sizes and runtimes to detect deviations early.

How credativ® Helps with Proxmox Backup Server

We support you with the professional implementation and ongoing operation of Proxmox Backup Server in your enterprise environment. Our open-source specialists bring many years of experience with enterprise backup solutions.

Our services for Proxmox PBS:

• Professional consulting for optimal backup architecture
• Installation and configuration according to best practices
• 24/7 support for critical backup issues
• Monitoring and proactive maintenance of your backup infrastructure
• Disaster recovery planning and testing
• Training for your IT team

Benefit from our comprehensive Proxmox support and our direct connection to the developers. We help you build a reliable and scalable backup solution that grows with your business.

Contact us for a free initial consultation regarding your Proxmox Backup Server implementation. Our experts will work with you to develop the optimal backup strategy for your requirements.

Transparency notice

Proxmox® is a registered trademark of Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH. credativ® is an authorized reseller of Proxmox® products. Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

The mention of trademarks serves solely for the factual description of migration scenarios and services provided by credativ®. There is no business relationship with the mentioned trademark owners.