+ifdef::wiki[]
+:pve-toplevel:
+endif::wiki[]
+
+Backups are a requirements for any sensible IT deployment, and {pve}
+provides a fully integrated solution, using the capabilities of each
+storage and each guest system type. This allows the system
+administrator to fine tune via the `mode` option between consistency
+of the backups and downtime of the guest system.
+
+{pve} backups are always full backups - containing the VM/CT
+configuration and all data. Backups can be started via the GUI or via
+the `vzdump` command line tool.
+
+.Backup Storage
+
+Before a backup can run, a backup storage must be defined. Refer to
+the Storage documentation on how to add a storage. A backup storage
+must be a file level storage, as backups are stored as regular files.
+In most situations, using a NFS server is a good way to store backups.
+You can save those backups later to a tape drive, for off-site
+archiving.