Zerto

Basic Information

• Model: Zerto Virtual Replication (ZVR)
• Version: Zerto 10 (latest major version). Updates include 10.0_U1, 10.0_U2, 10.0_U7, etc.
• Release Date: The original Zerto Virtual Replication was released in August 2011. Version 5.0 was released in November 2016.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Zerto Virtual Manager (ZVM) (Windows-based, pre-v10): 4 vCPUs (6-8 recommended for larger environments), 8 GB RAM (16 GB or more for higher VM counts), 40 GB disk space (for installation, logs, and growth).
  • Zerto Virtual Manager Appliance (ZVMA) (Linux-based, v10+): Deployed as an appliance, simplifying installation.
  • Virtual Replication Appliance (VRA): 15 GB storage space, at least 1 GB reserved memory.
  • Minimum Bandwidth: 5 Mb/sec dedicated bandwidth between sites.
• Supported Operating Systems:
  • ZVM (Windows-based): Windows Server 2016, 2019, or 2022. Earlier versions supported Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, 2012, 2012 R2.
  • ZVMA (Linux-based): Debian-based appliance.
  • Protected VMs: All Windows operating systems supported by Azure. ZVR supports protection of virtual machines supported by vSphere or Hyper-V, including older Windows versions.
• Latest Stable Version: Zerto 10, with ongoing updates such as 10.0_U7.
• End of Support Date: Zerto supports the latest version and the previous two versions. End-of-support dates are detailed in the Product Version Lifecycle Matrix.
• End of Life Date: Not explicitly stated for the product as a whole, but specific versions have end-of-support dates.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: The Linux-based ZVM appliance has an automated upgrade process that handles Zerto software and Debian OS updates.
• License Type: Zerto Data Protection, Enterprise Cloud Edition (ECE), and Migration License. Licenses can be based on the number of protected virtual machines or sockets.
• Deployment Model: Software-only solution for on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. Components include Zerto Virtual Manager (ZVM/ZVMA), Virtual Replication Appliance (VRA), and Virtual Backup Appliance (VBA).

Technical Requirements

• RAM:
  • ZVM (Windows): Minimum 8 GB, 16 GB or more recommended for larger environments.
  • VRA: At least 1 GB reserved memory.
  • For Search and Restore operations: At least 10 GB RAM.
• Processor:
  • ZVM (Windows): Minimum 4 vCPUs, 6-8 vCPUs recommended for larger environments.
  • For Search and Restore operations: At least 4 vCPUs.
• Storage:
  • ZVM (Windows): 40 GB for installation, with additional space for logs and growth.
  • VRA: 15 GB storage space.
  • ZVM (general): At least 20 GB of free disk space.
• Display: Minimum recommended screen resolution is 1024x768.
• Ports:
  • ZVM to vCenter/SCVMM/ESXi/Azure: TCP 443 (HTTPS).
  • ZVM to VRAs: TCP 4005, 4006, 4007.
  • VRAs for data transfer: TCP 4008.
  • ZVM to vCloud Director: TCP 5672 (AMQP messaging).
  • ESXi host for VRA installation: Ports 22 and 443 must be enabled.
• Operating System:
  • ZVM (Windows-based): Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022. Requires .NET Framework 4.8 or higher.
  • ZVMA (Linux-based): Debian.
  • Hypervisor Management: VMware vCenter Server (6.5+ for Windows ZVM, 6.7+ for Linux ZVM), Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM).

Analysis of Technical Requirements

Zerto Virtual Replication offers flexible deployment options, supporting both Windows-based ZVMs (for older versions and specific use cases) and a Linux-based ZVMA appliance (for Zerto 10+). The Linux appliance streamlines deployment and updates, reducing management overhead. Resource requirements for the ZVM and VRAs are moderate, scaling with environment size. A dedicated network bandwidth of at least 5 Mb/sec is crucial for efficient replication. The solution relies heavily on standard communication protocols like HTTPS, requiring specific firewall ports to be open for inter-component communication. Compatibility with leading hypervisors like VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V, along with major cloud platforms, ensures broad applicability. The shift to a Linux-based ZVMA in Zerto 10 reflects a move towards more efficient, secure, and easily maintainable management components.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Zerto 10, with continuous updates.
• OS Support:
  • ZVM/ZVMA: Windows Server (specific versions) or Debian Linux appliance.
  • Hypervisors: VMware vSphere (7.0, 8.0, and updates), Microsoft Hyper-V (2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022).
  • Cloud Platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud.
• End of Support Date: Zerto provides full support for the latest version and the previous two versions. Older versions transition to limited support or require upgrades.
• Localization: Not explicitly detailed in search results, but documentation is available in English.
• Available Drivers: Zerto utilizes hypervisor-level replication, which is agentless for VMware and Hyper-V environments. For cloud environments, it uses native integration. ZertoTools for Linux are required for protected VMs for successful failover to Azure and AWS.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Zerto Virtual Replication demonstrates strong support and broad compatibility across diverse IT infrastructures. It integrates deeply with major hypervisor platforms like VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V, and extends its capabilities to leading public cloud providers such as AWS and Azure. Zerto's policy of supporting the current and two previous major versions ensures that users have a clear upgrade path and access to ongoing assistance. The move to a Linux-based ZVM appliance in Zerto 10 signifies an evolution towards more robust and maintainable management, though older Windows-based ZVMs are still relevant for specific environments. The solution's agentless replication for on-premises hypervisors and native cloud integrations simplify deployment and reduce overhead.

Security Status

• Security Features:
  • Communication over secure channels (HTTPS/TLS 1.2).
  • Encryption for communication between ZVMs and VRAs.
  • Leverages security features of VMware and Microsoft.
  • Pre-hardened ZVMA Linux appliance with a small attack surface.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for ZVMA.
  • Regular security updates for ZVMA.
  • Limited running services on Virtual Replication Appliance (VRA).
  • Minimum required open ports.
  • Encryption Detection feature in Zerto 10 for ransomware resilience.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Not explicitly detailed in the provided search results. Zerto recommends segregating management and replication traffic to mitigate unknown vulnerabilities.
• Blacklist Status: No information found regarding blacklist status.
• Certifications: Not explicitly detailed in the provided search results.
• Encryption Support:
  • AES 256-bit encryption for data at rest and in transit.
  • SSL/TLS technology for secure communication.
  • HTTPS for Zerto management UI and inter-component communication.
  • TLS-based VRA encryption can be enabled for WAN traffic.
  • Zerto does not natively encrypt data across the WAN by default but supports network encryption software like VPN and IPsec.
• Authentication Methods:
  • Leverages VMware vSphere and Microsoft authentication features.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the ZVMA.
  • User authentication via myZerto credentials for Zerto Analytics.
• General Recommendations:
  • Limit access to the Zerto management server (ZVM/ZVMA).
  • Synchronize clocks using NTP.
  • Exclude Zerto folders from antivirus scanning.
  • Use static IP addresses for VRAs.
  • Segregate management and replication traffic.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Zerto Virtual Replication prioritizes security through a multi-layered approach. It encrypts communication channels using industry-standard protocols like HTTPS and TLS 1.2, both within the environment and for cloud interactions. The introduction of a pre-hardened Linux-based ZVMA with multi-factor authentication significantly enhances the security posture of the management plane. While Zerto leverages underlying hypervisor and cloud provider security features, it also implements its own controls, such as limiting services on VRAs and minimizing open ports. The new Encryption Detection feature in Zerto 10 is a critical advancement for ransomware resilience, offering real-time anomaly detection and automated checkpoint tagging for recovery. Although native WAN encryption is not default, TLS-based VRA encryption can be enabled, and the solution is compatible with external network encryption tools. Adherence to Zerto's hardening recommendations, such as access control and network segmentation, is crucial for maintaining a secure environment.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Not explicitly detailed in the provided search results.
• Real-world Performance Metrics:
  • Achieves aggressive Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) with low values, often in seconds.
  • Continuous Data Protection (CDP) technology provides better RPOs than traditional backup solutions.
  • Improved AWS recovery automation in ZVR 5.5 resulted in 3-5x faster recovery times.
  • Linux-based ZVM offers faster performance and better scalability for intensive workloads due to its lightweight and efficient nature.
  • Replication is fully encrypted and compressed, making it super efficient.
• Power Consumption: Not explicitly detailed in the provided search results.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly detailed in the provided search results.
• Comparison with Similar Assets:
  • Zerto's hypervisor-based replication was unique upon its release, setting a new standard for disaster recovery products.
  • Replaces multiple legacy solutions with a single IT Resilience Platform.
  • Offers seamless migration and replication between hypervisor environments and on-premises/cloud, providing flexibility.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Zerto Virtual Replication is designed for high performance in business continuity and disaster recovery. Its core strength lies in Continuous Data Protection (CDP), enabling very low Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) and fast Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs), often measured in seconds. This capability surpasses traditional backup solutions by minimizing data loss and downtime. Performance is enhanced by efficient, compressed, and encrypted replication. The shift to a Linux-based ZVM appliance in Zerto 10 further boosts performance and scalability, particularly for large-scale deployments. Zerto's architecture, which includes Virtual Replication Appliances (VRAs) deployed on each host, ensures efficient data movement and scalability. The solution's ability to automate failover and failback processes contributes to predictable and rapid recovery, critical for mission-critical applications.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback generally highlight Zerto Virtual Replication's effectiveness in providing robust disaster recovery and business continuity. Strengths frequently mentioned include:

• Low RPO/RTO: Users appreciate the ability to achieve near-zero data loss and rapid recovery times, crucial for critical applications.
• Ease of Use: The solution is often praised for its simplicity in deployment and management, especially with the appliance-based ZVM.
• Flexibility and Multi-Cloud Support: The ability to replicate across various hypervisors and to/from public clouds (AWS, Azure) is a significant advantage, enabling hybrid cloud strategies and workload mobility.
• Continuous Data Protection (CDP): The journaling technology allows for granular point-in-time recovery, which is highly valued for ransomware resilience and operational recovery.
• Automated Failover/Failback: The automation capabilities simplify DR testing and actual failovers, reducing manual effort and potential errors.

Weaknesses or areas for consideration, though less frequently emphasized in the provided snippets, might include:

• Resource Consumption: While generally efficient, large-scale deployments still require careful resource planning for ZVM and VRAs.
• WAN Encryption: The default lack of native WAN encryption requires additional solutions (VPN/IPsec) or explicit enablement of TLS-based VRA encryption for data in transit over public networks.
• Complexity for Specific Configurations: While generally simple, integrating with highly customized environments or older third-party software might require careful planning and adherence to interoperability matrices.

Recommended use cases include:

• Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS).
• Ransomware resilience and recovery.
• Data mobility and migration between on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
• Long-term retention of archived data.
• Disaster recovery testing without business disruption.

Summary

Zerto Virtual Replication (ZVR) is a leading software-only solution for continuous data protection, disaster recovery, and multi-cloud mobility. It excels in providing near-zero Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) and rapid Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs), making it ideal for protecting mission-critical applications. The solution supports a wide array of environments, including VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and major public clouds like AWS and Azure, facilitating seamless workload migration and hybrid cloud strategies.

Key strengths include its hypervisor-based, agentless replication technology, which minimizes impact on VM performance, and its robust Continuous Data Protection (CDP) journaling. The recent shift to a Linux-based Zerto Virtual Manager Appliance (ZVMA) in Zerto 10 enhances security, simplifies deployment, and improves overall performance and scalability. Security features are comprehensive, encompassing encrypted communications, multi-factor authentication for the ZVMA, and the innovative Encryption Detection feature for ransomware resilience.

While Zerto offers strong native encryption for data at rest and within the environment, users should consider enabling TLS-based VRA encryption or utilizing external VPN/IPsec solutions for data replicated over the WAN. The product maintains strong compatibility with current and previous major versions of hypervisors and cloud platforms, backed by a clear support lifecycle.

Overall, Zerto Virtual Replication stands out for its performance, flexibility, and strong security posture, making it a highly recommended solution for enterprises seeking resilient and agile data protection strategies across complex IT landscapes. Its ability to converge disaster recovery and backup into a single platform simplifies management and ensures business continuity.

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.