randy/prox-backup-install.md

Installing Proxmox Backup Server

I wanted to install Proxmox Backup Server as a VM guest on a Debian ZFS based large raid server. The server names are:

• raid0.dfw.rg.net - the Debian raid server
• pbs.dfw.rg.net - the Proxmox Backup VM

Install LibVirt

apt update && apt upgrade
apt install --no-install-recommends qemu-system qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients virtinst qemu-utils bridge-utils dnsmasq

Test LibVirt is working

virsh list --all

Let a non-root user manage machines

/usr/sbin/usermod -a -G libvirt randy

Start and make permanent default network

First, make sure any local DNS reso;bver is not running on INADDR_ANY. I.e. hack /etc/unbound/unbound.conf to be specific, e.g.

        interface: 198.180.152.12
        interface: 2001:418:3807::12

and systemctl restart unbound.servce

Then you can

virsh net-start default
virsh net-autostart default

And make sure it is indeed running

# virsh net-list --all
 Name      State    Autostart   Persistent
--------------------------------------------
 default   active   yes         yes

Install Proxmox Backup Server

Get ISO from Proxmox Backup Server ISO Store

Do the libvirt install

virt-install \
    --virt-type kvm --name pbs.dfw.rg.net \
    --cdrom ./vm/proxmox-backup-server_4.0-1.iso \
    --os-variant debian11 \
    --disk size=16 --memory 8192 \
    --noautoconsole \
    --graphics type=vnc \
    --console pty,target_type=serial

Connect to the backup server's install VNC

ssh -N -L 5900:127.0.0.1:raid0.dfw.rg.net 5900

and start a VMC client

I choose "Install Proxmox Backup Server (Terminal UI)"

You will want note the assigned IP address as you will want to set the global DNS for the server, e.g.

pbs.dfw.rg.net.   A	192.168.122.185

Set Up Server

You should be able to ProxyJump to the Proxmox Backup server via the host server with

ssh -J raid0.dfw.rg.net root@pbs.dfw.rg.net

Because you will soon want to tunnel browsing, you might want to hadk your ~/.ssh/config to make the proxy jump automagic.

Host pbs.dfw.rg.net
  ProxyJump raid0.dfw.rg.net

I install ssh keying, install emacs, set up user accounts, etc.

Set up Proxy Tunnel for Browser

The host needs to proxy. The simplest is

apt install tinyproxy

and edit /etc/tinyproxy/tinyproxy.conf to only accept connections from 127.0.0.1 (and maybe ::1 if you are so inclined), and use port 8889 (8888 was already used).

Set up an ssh tunnel to get through to web server

ssh -f -N -L 8889:127.0.0.1:8889 raid0.dfw.rg.net

Then configure Firefox proxy. I use the ~/.proxy.pac as described here

  if (shExpMatch(host, "pbs.dfw.rg.net"))
    return "PROXY 127.0.0.1:8889; DIRECT";

You should now be able to browse to https://pbs.dfw.rg.net:8007.

Plan 9 Install

Prepare Host Exporting FileSystem

We assume a, likely zfs based, server with a large store. In this case, it is Debian 12, Bookworm.

Load the 9p modules

modprobe 9p
modprobe 9pnet
modprobe 9pnet-virtio

Make it so the modules are loaded on boot

cat >> /etc/modules << EOF
9p
9pnet
9pnet-virtio
EOF

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2025.11.08