Linux VPS

Set up Proxmox ZFS storage replication between nodes

Replicate VM disks between Proxmox nodes with ZFS so you can fail over or migrate quickly without shared storage: requirements, schedules, HA use and limits.

AdvancedProxmox VE2 min read

Proxmox ZFS replication copies a VM's disks to another node on a schedule, sending only changes after the first run. It gives two-node and small clusters fast migration and a recovery copy without the cost of shared storage.

Before you start

  • A Proxmox cluster (cluster setup).
  • A ZFS pool on each node with the same storage ID in Proxmox (for example tank), so VM configs work on either node.
  • VM disks stored on that ZFS storage (storage types).
  • A fast link between nodes for the initial full copy.

Create a replication job

  1. Select the VM → Replication → Add.
  2. Choose the Target node.
  3. Set the Schedule, for example */15 for every 15 minutes.
  4. Optionally set a rate limit so replication does not saturate the link.
  5. Create. The first run sends the full disk; later runs send only changed blocks.

Check status in Datacenter → Replication or with:

pvesr status

Warning: Replication is asynchronous. If a node dies, changes since the last successful run are lost. Choose a schedule that matches how much data loss you can accept.

Migrate faster with replication

When a replicated VM is migrated to its target node, only the changes since the last run are sent, so even large VMs move quickly. Proxmox reverses the replication direction afterwards.

Use replication with HA

  • Add the VM as an HA resource (high availability).
  • If its node fails, HA starts it on the target from the last replicated state.
  • You still need three votes for quorum (two nodes plus a QDevice works).

Troubleshooting

  • Job fails: storage not found on target: the ZFS storage ID differs between nodes.
  • Replication falls behind: the link is too slow for the change rate; lengthen the schedule or raise the rate limit.
  • Space growing on target: replication keeps snapshots; check zfs list -t snapshot and free space.

Frequently asked questions

Does replication replace backups?

No. Deleted or corrupted data is replicated too; keep backups (Proxmox Backup Server).

Can I replicate to more than one node?

Yes, add one job per target node.

Does it work with LVM-thin?

No, storage replication requires ZFS.

Next steps

Was this guide helpful?

Still stuck?

Ask MdmHost AI for a quick answer, or open a ticket and our team will take a look. We are here 24/7.

Ask MdmHost AIOpen a ticket

Related guides