VMware Alternative Data Protection Checklist

Ensuring robust data protection and application resiliency is critical as organizations evaluate VMware alternatives. The right platform should provide comprehensive resiliency across data availability, disaster recovery, and system efficiency without adding complexity or cost. Here’s a checklist of critical capabilities to look for when transitioning from VMware:

1. Integrated Data Protection and Availability

Look for platforms that provide built-in data protection and application availability as core functionalities rather than requiring multiple add-ons. A unified system that integrates virtualization, storage, and networking but goes beyond traditional hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) and integrates a fourth-tier…data protection and resiliency.

2. Automated High Availability (HA)

A reliable VMware alternative should guarantee high availability, ensuring that virtual machines (VMs) can continue operating during hardware or system failures. Key features to look for include:

• Automated VM migration to other servers in case of failure, with no manual intervention required.
• Utilize predictive algorithms that identify the optimal server/node for VM relocation, ensuring performance consistency even during a failed state.
• Live migration for seamless operation during maintenance, without any downtime for end users.

3. Modern Data Protection Mechanisms

Ensure the alternative platform includes modern data protection mechanisms. Traditional systems that rely on RAID or Erasure Coding may struggle with the demands of today’s large, high-density per-drive storage environments. Look for:

• Advanced global inline deduplication that reduces storage consumption without impacting performance.
• Data redundancy features that ensure data is written synchronously across multiple nodes for enhanced protection.
• Fast recovery from hardware failures, minimizing exposure and data loss.

4. Protection from Multiple Drive or Server Failures

For environments where high availability is critical, it’s essential to have protection from multiple simultaneous drive or server failures. Look for solutions that:

• Provide real-time data segment recovery to VMs during multiple hardware failures, ensuring no downtime.
• Do not require additional software purchases for this capability, keeping costs down.
• Offer asynchronous data transfers to enable cost-effective configurations, using older or less expensive hardware as stand-by targets.

5. Holistic Disaster Recovery (DR)

A comprehensive disaster recovery strategy should also be integrated into the core of the VMware alternative. Look for:

• Datacenter encapsulation that includes virtual machines, networks, storage configurations, and infrastructure consistent replication.
• Easy replication of the encapsulated data centers for fast and seamless recovery on different hardware in different locations
• Asynchronous replication to remote sites for reliable and efficient DR without performance trade-offs.

6. Snapshot Capabilities

Snapshots are a vital tool in data recovery and system restoration. The right platform should offer:

• Unlimited snapshot functionality, allowing frequent snapshots with minimal capacity impact.
• Snapshots that act independently, like clones, reduce the risks associated with linked snapshots.
• The ability to restore entire systems, individual virtual machines, or even single files directly from snapshots.

7. Ransomware Protection

Ransomware attacks continue to be a serious threat, and any VMware alternative should prioritize protection and recovery. Features to look for include:

• Isolated encapsulated virtual data centers that prevent malware from spreading beyond its entry point.
• Read-only snapshots that cannot be altered or deleted by ransomware, ensuring quick recovery.
• Real-time alerts and fast response capabilities to detect and mitigate attacks as soon as they start.

8. Third-Party Backup Compatibility

While modern platforms may reduce reliance on traditional backup methods, compatibility with third-party solutions is still important for some organizations. Ensure the platform:

• Supports exporting VM data to external systems, enabling third-party backups.
• Allows in-guest agents for application-consistent backups and granular file restoration, if required.
• Provides options for hosting third-party backup solutions within isolated virtual data centers for added flexibility and security.

9. Efficient Resource Utilization

An efficient VMware alternative should also optimize resource usage. Loo for solutions that offer:

• More efficient CPU utilization, reducing the strain on infrastructure.
• Support for various hardware configurations, including older servers and lower-cost storage options, can help control costs.

Conclusion

When choosing a VMware alternative, look for a platform that offers comprehensive data protection, high availability, and efficient disaster recovery. Solutions like VergeIO offer these functionalities in a streamlined, unified platform, making it a strong candidate in the VMware replacement market. Their latest blog, “Using Snapshots to Protect VMs,” is an excellent example of how VergeIO is advancing the art of data protection. You can also register for VergeIO’s demonstration-only webinar “Protecting VergeOS