Backup

Data loss is every self-hoster’s nightmare. Whether it’s a failed drive, ransomware, or an accidental rm -rf, losing your carefully curated homelab data can be devastating. That’s why a robust backup strategy isn’t optional — it’s essential. 💡 This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare three of the most popular self-hosted backup solutions in 2026: Duplicati, Restic, and BorgBackup. Each has its strengths and trade-offs, and choosing the right one depends on your specific needs, technical comfort level, and infrastructure. ...

Backups are the foundation of any reliable homelab. Whether you’re running production services or just experimenting, losing your virtual machines and containers to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware is a nightmare you can avoid with proper Proxmox backup strategies. 💡 This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more. Proxmox VE offers multiple backup solutions, each designed for different use cases. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every backup method available in Proxmox, from built-in vzdump to the powerful Proxmox Backup Server, and help you design a backup strategy that matches your needs and budget. ...

Syncthing is one of the most powerful self-hosted file synchronization tools available, but many users barely scratch the surface of its capabilities. While getting basic sync working is straightforward, mastering advanced features like ignore patterns, versioning strategies, and relay server configuration can transform Syncthing from a simple sync tool into a robust backup and collaboration system. 💡 This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into three critical advanced features that will help you fine-tune your Syncthing setup for maximum efficiency and data protection. Whether you’re syncing development projects, backing up important documents, or coordinating files across multiple devices, these techniques will give you precise control over what syncs, how it’s protected, and how devices connect. ...

Your homelab is running smoothly. You’ve got Nextcloud for files, Vaultwarden for passwords, Immich for photos, and a dozen other services humming along. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if your server dies tomorrow, can you recover everything? Most self-hosters only think about backups after disaster strikes. Don’t be one of them. This guide covers everything you need to build a bulletproof backup strategy for your homelab — from understanding the 3-2-1 rule to implementing automated backups with tools like Restic, Borg, and rsync. ...