Confluent Platform

Basic Information

• Model: Confluent Platform
• Version: The platform is continuously updated. Confluent Platform 7.9.x is the last version to include Apache ZooKeeper, with Confluent Platform 8.0.x transitioning to a ZooKeeper-less architecture using KRaft.
• Release Date: Releases are continuous, with major and minor versions following a regular cadence. For example, Confluent Platform 7.9.x was released in early 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Hardware requirements vary significantly based on workload and deployment type. Optimal performance requires identical hardware specifications across all cluster nodes.
• Supported Operating Systems: AlmaLinux, Amazon Linux, Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Rocky Linux, and Ubuntu. Uniform OS, Confluent Platform, and Java versions are recommended. Windows and macOS are supported for client and development purposes only.
• Latest Stable Version: Confluent Platform 7.9.x is a recent stable version, with 8.0.x being the next major iteration focusing on KRaft.
• End of Support Date: Standard support for minor versions typically lasts two years from the first patch release date. Platinum support extends this to three years. For example, standard support for Confluent Platform 7.4.x ends on May 3, 2025. ZooKeeper deployments in Confluent Platform 7.9.x will be supported until February 19, 2027 (Standard) or February 19, 2028 (Platinum).
• End of Life Date: End of life for components and versions aligns with the end of support policy, typically two years for standard support.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not applicable; Confluent Platform is a self-managed software solution.
• License Type: Confluent Platform components are available under the Confluent Community License, Confluent Enterprise License, or Apache 2.0 License (for core Apache Kafka components). Developer and Trial (evaluation) licenses are also available.
• Deployment Model: Self-managed, deployable on-premises, at the edge, or across hybrid cloud environments. It is also available as a fully managed service via Confluent Cloud.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: For Kafka brokers, 32 GB is common, with 64 GB being a decent choice; less than 32 GB can be counterproductive. Confluent Control Center in normal mode recommends 32 GB RAM.
• Processor: Supports both X86 and ARM64 hardware architectures (ARM64 from Confluent Platform 7.6.0 and later). More cores are generally preferred over faster cores. Confluent Control Center's stream monitoring functionality recommends at least 8 cores.
• Storage: Solid State Drives (SSDs) are preferred for optimal performance. Storage requirements depend on data retention policies and throughput. ksqlDB requires a minimum of 100 GB for a basic server.
• Display: Not applicable for the core platform. Confluent Control Center provides a web-based graphical user interface.
• Ports: Key configurable ports include Kafka brokers (9092 external, 9091 internal), KRaft controllers (9093), Schema Registry (8081), Connect (8083), ksqlDB (8088), Confluent Control Center (9021), and MDS/Confluent Server API (8090).
• Operating System: Linux distributions such as AlmaLinux, Amazon Linux, Debian, RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, and Ubuntu.
• Java: Java 11, 17, and 21 are supported. Java 8 is deprecated in Confluent Platform 7.4.x and removed in 8.0.x.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

Confluent Platform is designed for distributed, scalable data streaming. Its technical requirements reflect the need for robust, consistent hardware across cluster nodes to ensure stable performance and high availability. The platform leverages modern CPU architectures (X86 and ARM64) and benefits significantly from ample RAM and fast SSD storage for efficient data processing and persistence. Network performance is critical due to its distributed nature. The platform's reliance on specific Java versions underscores the importance of a well-managed software environment.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Confluent Platform 7.9.x is a recent stable version, with 8.0.x being the next major iteration.
• OS Support: Comprehensive support for major Linux distributions including AlmaLinux, Amazon Linux, Debian, RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, and Ubuntu.
• End of Support Date: Standard support for minor versions extends for two years, with an additional year for Platinum support agreements.
• Localization: Specific localization options are not explicitly detailed in publicly available documentation.
• Available Drivers: Confluent Platform supports various client libraries, including Java, C/C++, and .NET, enabling broad application compatibility.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Confluent Platform offers robust support and compatibility, particularly for Linux-based deployments and modern Java environments. The two-year standard support lifecycle, extendable to three years with Platinum support, provides enterprises with a predictable maintenance schedule. Compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and client libraries ensures flexibility for integration into diverse IT ecosystems. The transition to KRaft in upcoming versions signifies a move towards a more streamlined and resilient architecture.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes TLS 1.2/1.3 encryption for data in transit, data at rest encryption with options for Bring Your Own Key (BYOK), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Apache Kafka Access Control Lists (ACLs), Single Sign-On (SSO) with OAuth/OIDC identity providers, LDAP integration, Secret Protection, Schema Registry for data governance, and comprehensive monitoring and auditing capabilities.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Confluent actively addresses security vulnerabilities through regular patch releases, which are covered under its support policies.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable.
• Certifications: Achieves SSAE 18 SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, and supports FIPS 140-2 compliance for cryptographic modules.
• Encryption Support: Supports TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 for secure communication between producers, brokers, and consumers. Data at rest can be encrypted at the disk level, with integration options for key management systems.
• Authentication Methods: Supports mutual TLS (mTLS), OAuth 2.0 integrations with identity providers (e.g., Okta, Keycloak, Entra ID), LDAP for centralized user management, and API keys.
• General Recommendations: Confluent recommends configuring all services and components to use TLS encryption, implementing strong access controls, and integrating with external secret managers for sensitive configuration details.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Confluent Platform offers a comprehensive suite of enterprise-grade security features, making it suitable for handling mission-critical and sensitive data. Its robust encryption capabilities for data in transit and at rest, coupled with granular access controls (RBAC, ACLs), strong authentication methods (SSO, mTLS, LDAP), and compliance certifications (SOC 2, FIPS 140-2, ISO 27001), provide a high level of data protection and regulatory adherence. Regular updates and a focus on security best practices further enhance its overall security posture.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific numerical benchmark scores are not consistently published as a single metric due to the highly variable nature of streaming workloads and configurations.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Designed for sub-millisecond latency. Confluent Control Center can scale up to 400,000 partitions, refresh end-to-end metrics within 2-3 minutes, and achieve start-up times as low as 1 minute. The platform is built with a scalable architecture to handle increasing amounts of data effortlessly.
• Power Consumption: Not directly quantified, but the platform's cloud-native scalability and efficiency features aim to optimize resource utilization and reduce operational costs.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly detailed in public documentation.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Confluent Platform enhances Apache Kafka with additional proprietary components and tools, offering advanced capabilities for enterprise use cases, easier management, and accelerated application development compared to a raw Apache Kafka deployment.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Confluent Platform is engineered for high-performance, real-time data streaming at enterprise scale. Its architecture, built on Apache Kafka, provides inherent scalability and fault tolerance. While specific universal benchmarks are not provided, real-world metrics highlight its capability to manage large-scale, low-latency data streams and complex monitoring tasks. The platform's focus on operational efficiency and advanced features aims to deliver superior performance and cost-effectiveness for demanding streaming workloads.

User Reviews & Feedback

• Strengths: Users frequently praise Confluent Platform for its real-time data processing capabilities, robust event streaming, scalable architecture, and comprehensive data integration features. Its built-in security and compliance, along with detailed customer support, are also highlighted as significant advantages. The platform is seen as a unified solution for managing continuous data streams.
• Weaknesses: Common feedback includes a steep learning curve for the user interface and an onboarding process that could be more intuitive. Licensing limitations for certain features compared to purely open-source Apache Kafka are also noted.
• Recommended Use Cases: Confluent Platform is highly recommended for industries that require robust data handling, real-time analytics, and seamless data integration, such as finance, retail, and technology. It is particularly valuable for managing mission-critical data and enabling event-driven architectures.

Summary

Confluent Platform is an enterprise-grade, self-managed streaming data platform built on Apache Kafka, designed to facilitate real-time data processing, integration, and management. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive feature set, including advanced security (TLS encryption, RBAC, FIPS 140-2, SOC 2, ISO 27001), high scalability, and robust support for diverse operating systems and client libraries. The platform excels in enabling complex event-driven architectures and providing tools like Confluent Control Center for simplified monitoring and management. It offers predictable support lifecycles and flexible deployment options across on-premises, edge, and hybrid cloud environments.

However, the platform presents a notable learning curve, particularly for new users, and its licensing model for commercial features introduces considerations beyond the open-source Apache Kafka. While it delivers exceptional performance for demanding workloads, the initial complexity and resource requirements necessitate careful planning and expertise.

Overall, Confluent Platform is an excellent choice for organizations requiring a powerful, secure, and scalable solution for real-time data streaming and analytics, especially those in highly regulated industries or with extensive data integration needs. Prospective users should be prepared for the learning investment and consider the enterprise licensing structure. For optimal results, adherence to recommended hardware specifications and a well-planned deployment strategy are crucial.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.