Zerto: Revolutionizing BC/DR in the Virtualization Era

The virtualization era has brought about a plethora of opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive, but it has also introduced new challenges when it comes to data protection and disaster recovery (BC/DR). As more and more organizations move their critical workloads to virtualized environments, the need for robust BC/DR solutions has become increasingly important. This is where Zerto, a stealth startup, comes into the picture.

At Tech Field Day #6, myself and other delegates were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at Zerto’s innovative solution for BC/DR in virtualized environments. Founded by Ziv and Odem Kedem, Zerto is an Israeli and US-based company that is doing some very interesting things in the BC/DR space.

Host-Based Storage Agnostic Replication

One of the standout features of Zerto’s solution is its host-based storage agnostic replication. Unlike other BC/DR solutions that are limited to specific storage arrays, Zerto’s solution can work with any storage array, making it a highly flexible and versatile option for organizations. This feature ensures that data is consistently replicated across different hosts and storage arrays, providing an added layer of protection against data loss and downtime.

vCenter Integration and VM/VMDK Consistency Grouping

Zerto’s solution also integrates seamlessly with vCenter, allowing for easy management and orchestration of BC/DR processes. Additionally, Zerto uses VM/VMDK consistency grouping to ensure that all replicated VMs are consistent with one another, even in the event of a failover. This feature is particularly useful for organizations that rely on virtualized Exchange environments and running databases.

RDM Replication and Checkpoints/Bookmarks

Another impressive feature of Zerto’s solution is its ability to perform RDM replication and checkpoints/bookmarks. This allows organizations to move datacenters and change their storage configuration without any disruptions or data loss. Additionally, the ability to create checkpoints/bookmarks on replicated VMs from different points in time provides an added layer of protection against data inconsistencies and corrupted VMs.

Compression and WAN Optimization

Zerto’s solution also includes built-in compression and WAN optimization, which can help reduce the amount of bandwidth required for replication. This is particularly useful for organizations with massive 100TB+ environments, as it can help reduce the strain on their networks and improve replication efficiency.

Third-Party Partnerships and Certifications

While Zerto’s solution is already highly robust and feature-rich, there is always room for improvement. Over time, it will be interesting to see how the company develops its third-party partnerships and certifications to better the usability and maturity of their product. As an example, integrations with Riverbed Steelhead or other WAN optimization products could further increase replication efficiency and reduce network strain.

Conclusion

Zerto’s solution is a game-changer for BC/DR in virtualized environments. Its host-based storage agnostic replication, vCenter integration, VM/VMDK consistency grouping, RDM replication, and checkpoints/bookmarks make it a highly flexible and versatile option for organizations of all sizes. While there is always room for improvement, Zerto’s solution is certainly one to watch in the BC/DR space. With its innovative features and impressive performance, Zerto is poised to revolutionize the way we approach BC/DR in the virtualization era.