Backup Strategy

#

3-2-1 Backup Setup

In this example, we are backing up a ZFS pool RAID 1 consisting of two 2TB Samsung 990 EVO PRO SSDs.

The goal is to implement the 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of your data on two different media, with one copy offsite. This setup is designed for a homelab using consumer software, which adds some challenges due to the lack of enterprise-level scalability. Here's how to do it.

##

Step 1: Install Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) with Drive Passthrough

First, install PBS with my [drive passthrough](https://git.water.house/jack/Proxmax/-/tree/main/Host/drive-passthrough)passthrough script. This passthrough drive will be our first backup. Note that while this setup is fine for a homelab, there is a risk in having the backup drive on the host machine that you should be aware of.

###

Installation Steps:
1.

**

1. Access Administration:**
        - Go to the browser and navigate to `Administration > Repositories`Repositories.
        - Add or remove appropriate free and enterprise repositories as necessary.

2. 2. **Update and Reboot:**
        - Open the shell and run:
            ```bash
       apt update
       apt upgrade
         ```
     - Reboot the system if a kernel update is applied.

3. 3. **Prepare the Backup Drive:**
        - Go to `Administration > Storage > Disks`Disks and wipe the disk you intend to use.
        - Then, either create a directory or a ZFS filesystem on this drive.

4. 4. **Add PBS to Proxmox:**
        - Go back to the dashboard and copy the fingerprint of the PBS instance.
        - Ensure the "Add as datastore" option is checked and note the datastore name you select.

5. 5. **Configure Proxmox:**
        - In Proxmox, go to `Datacenter > Storage > Add > Proxmox Backup Server`Server.
        - Set the following values:
          - **ID:** Choose a unique identifier.
          - **Server:** IP address of the PBS instance.
          - **Username:** `root@pam`root@pam or the appropriate user.
          - **Password:** Password set in PBS.
          - **Datastore:** Name you noted earlier.
          - **Fingerprint:** Paste the fingerprint you copied.

Now, you can run your backup.

##

Step 2: Set Up Samba File Share

Since we need to spin up a Windows VM (because Rclone doesn't work well with Proton Drive and Proton Drive only supports NTFS), we'll set up a Samba file share.

###

Installation and Configuration:
1.

**

1. Install Samba:**
        ```bash
     apt install samba
     ```

2. 2. **Configure Samba:**
        - Edit the Samba configuration file:
            ```bash
       nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
         ```
     - Add a share definition at the end of the file, assuming you want to share the `/mnt/new-storage`storage directory (corresponding to the passed-through drive):
            ```plaintext
       [SharedDrive]
       path = /mnt/new-storage
       browseable = yes
       read only = no
       guest ok = yes
       force user = root
         ```
       - **path:** Directory you want to share.
          - **browseable:** Allows the share to be visible when browsing network shares.
          - **read only:** Set to `no`no to allow writing to the share.
          - **guest ok:** Set to `yes`yes to allow access without a password (optional).
          - **force user:** Ensures files are accessible to all users via Samba.

3. 3. **Set Permissions:**
        - Ensure that the directory you're sharing has the correct permissions:
            ```bash
       chmod -R 0777 /mnt/new-storage
         ```
       This makes the directory readable and writable by all users. Adjust permissions as necessary depending on your security requirements.

4. 4. **Restart Samba Service:**
        - Apply the changes by restarting the Samba service:
            ```bash
       systemctl restart smbd
         ```

   ##

Step 3: Access the Share from Windows

1. 1. **Access the Share:**
        - Open File Explorer on your Windows PC.
        - In the address bar, type `\Proxmox-IP-Address\SharedDrive`SharedDrive and press Enter.
          - Replace `Proxmox-IP-Address`Address with the IP address of your Proxmox server, and `SharedDrive`SharedDrive with the name of your share as defined in the `smb.conf`conf file.
        - Authenticate if prompted. If guest access is allowed, it might not ask for credentials; otherwise, use a valid username and password from the Proxmox server.

2. 2. **Map the Network Drive Permanently (Optional):**
        - Right-click on "This PC" in File Explorer and select "Map network drive...".
        - Choose a drive letter and enter the path to your Proxmox share (e.g., `\Proxmox-IP-Address\SharedDrive`SharedDrive).
        - Check "Reconnect at sign-in" and click "Finish".

   ##

Step 4: Secure Samba Share with a Password (Optional)

If you want to secure your Samba share with a password, follow these steps:

1. 1. **Create a Samba User:**
        - Add a Linux user if it doesn't already exist:
            ```bash
       adduser yourusername
         ```
     - Add the user to Samba:
            ```bash
       smbpasswd -a yourusername
         ```

2. 2. **Modify Samba Configuration:**
        - Edit the Samba configuration file:
            ```bash
       nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
         ```
     - Modify the share definition to require authentication:
            ```plaintext
       [SharedDrive]
       path = /mnt/new-storage
       browseable = yes
       read only = no
       valid users = yourusername
       force user = root
         ```

3. 3. **Restart Samba Service:**
        - Apply the changes by restarting the Samba service:
            ```bash
       systemctl restart smbd
         ```

4. 4. **Access the Share from Windows:**
        - When prompted, enter the username (`yourusername`yourusername) and the password set with `smbpasswd`smbpasswd.

By following these steps, you can share the passed-through drive on your Proxmox server with a Windows PC, allowing it to be accessed and used from both systems.