What are the main benefits of this solution?

The main benefits include high availability through hourly ZFS replication, rapid virtual machine recovery without data loss, full backup automation including off-site synchronization, optimal storage utilization, and low operational costs.

How often does data replication occur?

ZFS replication between nodes in the cluster occurs every hour. PBS backups run daily at night, and PBS synchronization between sites also runs at night to optimize for slow links.

Is this solution suitable for small organizations?

Yes, this solution is designed as a cost-effective alternative to expensive storage systems. It is suitable for organizations of all sizes that require high availability and data protection.

September 18, 2026 • Case Study • 10 min read

Proxmox VE ZFS Cluster with Remote DR – Availability, Security and Simplicity

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Cost-effective DR Solution in a Second Location

For a customer with high demands on availability and data security, we designed and deployed a flexible solution based on Proxmox VE and ZFS.

The goal was to create a reliable virtualization platform with the ability to easily restore data in the event of an outage at the primary site. We implemented this case study in the Czech Republic, where we focused on Proxmox VE and ZFS to ensure high availability and data security.

Solution Architecture

At the primary site, we deployed a Proxmox VE cluster with 2x PVE Nodes (Proxmox VE 6.4) and ZFS RAID-Z2 for data storage. For backup and replication, we used PBS (Proxmox Backup Server).

In addition, we established a second site with Proxmox VE and ZFS RAID-Z2 for backup and data recovery in the event of a primary site failure.

Key Components

• 2x PVE Node (Proxmox VE 6.4) with ZFS RAID-Z2 – Primary Site
• 2x PVE Node (Proxmox VE 6.4) with ZFS RAID-Z2 – Secondary Site
• PVE at primary site dedicated for virtualization
• PBS at secondary site for backup storage
• Data replication between sites using synchronization

Solution Diagram

Backup and Replication Strategy

The implemented strategy ensures optimal data protection and rapid recovery in the event of an outage.

Replication / Backup Type	Interval	Direction	Note
ZFS Replication	Every 1 hour	Between PVE nodes in the cluster	For fast recovery
PBS Backup	Daily at night	PVE → PBS (Primary)	Deduplication, compression, encryption
PBS Synchronization (Replication)	At night	PBS (Primary) → PBS (Secondary)	Optimal for slow links

Solution Benefits

This solution brings several key advantages compared to commercial alternatives:

• High Availability – Cluster ZFS replication every hour ensures minimal risk of data loss
• Fast VM Recovery after outage without data loss due to frequent replication
• Full Backup Automation – Including off-site synchronization for protection against local outages
• Storage Capacity Optimization on virtualization servers for optimal resource utilization
• Low Costs – Without the need for expensive storage solutions or dedicated links

Summary

This solution demonstrates the power of an open-source virtualization stack built on Proxmox VE and ZFS. Thanks to a well-designed replication strategy, we are able to ensure high availability and data protection for customers, even at relatively low costs compared to commercial solutions.

The solution has proven its effectiveness in real deployment in the Czech Republic and represents a proven approach for organizations that require a reliable virtualization platform with the ability to quickly restore data.