Frequently Asked Questions

Zmanda Pro is a high-performance, open-source, restic-based backup and recovery software solution designed for hybrid cloud environments, catering to enterprises and SMBs.

Zmanda Pro offers:
  • Centralized Management: Simplifies backup administration tasks, such as configuring backup policies, and schedules, adding clients, and restoring files, with robust reporting capabilities.
  • Flexible Media Options: Supports backups to disk, optical devices, and cloud services like Amazon S3, Wasabi, GCP, and Azure.
  • Wide Platform Support: Compatible with various Operating Systems: Linux, Windows, and MacOS, Databases (MS SQL, MongoDB, MySql, and Oracle), and Virtual Applications (HyperV and VMware).
  • Backup Platform Compatibility: Back up to cloud, NAS, and disk. Zmanda supports advanced features, such as ransomware protection with air-gapped backups, client-side deduplication, forever incremental backups, and zero trust security. It can be deployed as a container, VM, or Zmanda-hosted instance.
  • Microsoft 365 Backup: Get complete protection for Microsoft 365 Suite: Outlook, OneDrive for Business, SharePoint, and Teams files, and save them to a storage destination of your choice.
  • System State Backup: Provides bare-metal recovery (BMR) to ensure system and registry integrity for disaster recovery.
  • Database Hot Backup: Supports live MS SQL Server and Oracle database backups.
  • Continuous Updates and Support: Offers security updates, product alerts, knowledgebase access, and 24x7 support globally from the Zmanda team.
Zmanda Pro, a comprehensive, reliable solution comes at a 50% lower price than the competition. You also get 24*7 support with a 2x higher NPS than the industry average.
Try Zmanda Pro free for 14 days with a full-featured trial.

Here are the top features of Zmanda Pro:
  • Client-side deduplication: Exclude redundant copies of data from your backups creating bandwidth and saving up to 89%+ on their storage space.
  • Forever incremental backups: Eliminate the need for periodic full backups after the initial one. Optimize storage space & speed up backup processes.
  • Granular Recovery: Recover specific pieces of data, like individual files or emails, instead of having to restore an entire system backup.
  • Immutable Backups with Storage Replication: This creates unchangeable copies of your data and stores them in multiple locations.
  • Complete protection for Microsoft 365 Suite: Protect Outlook, OneDrive for Business, SharePoint, and Teams files, and save them to a storage destination of your choice.
  • Cut your TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) by 50%: Simple & straightforward pricing with up to 50% total cost of ownership (TCO) savings- all with an easy-to-set-up configuration.
  • Ensure data continuity with backups for Windows and macOS: Protect & maintain business continuity with complete, reliable backups of your Windows and macOS systems.
  • 24X7 premium support: Speak to an expert directly and eliminate backup worries with Zmanda EBRโ€™s dependable 24*7 premium support.

Here's a breakdown of how Zmanda Pro differentiates itself from other backup software:
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Zmanda Pro emphasizes reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by up to 50% in comparison with other competitors
  • Open-Source Foundation: Built on the restic-based, open-source backup foundation, Zmanda Pro offers a familiar platform for some users. It might also translate to lower initial costs compared to purely proprietary solutions.
  • Flexibility and Choice: Zmanda Pro seems to focus on providing a wider range of backup destinations. You might have the option to store backups on-premises (local disks, NAS/SAN) or leverage cloud storage (managed by Zmanda or public cloud providers). This caters to various budget and security needs.
  • Focus on Enterprise Needs: Zmanda Pro highlights features like disaster recovery, application-specific backups (Microsoft 365), and potential support for large-scale deployments. This suggests it's well-suited for protecting complex enterprise IT environments.
It supports a wide range of platforms and offers seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure. Overall, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Consider factors like budget, desired features, IT environment complexity, and your comfort level with open-source software. It's always recommended to compare Zmanda Pro with other leading backup solutions to make an informed decision.

You can straight away begin your 14-day free trial, request a demo, or contact sales to get started with Zmanda. It's pretty straightforward but if you are looking for help with the installation process, our documentation can help you get started.

Zmanda Pro can back up data to various locations, including local storage, disk, network-attached storage (NAS), and cloud storage services like Amazon S3, Azure, Wasabi, & other offsite locations.

For more information, visit the Zmanda Pro section on our website, explore our blog, or contact sales and support teams.

Zmanda performs rigorous testing, including automated testing, manual quality assurance, and real-world simulations to ensure enterprise readiness and reliability.

Zmanda Pro uses end-to-end encryption, advanced security protocols, and compliance with major standards to ensure your data is secure at rest and in motion.

Technical
specifications

Zmanda Cloud Storage (ZCS) is a specific feature offered by Zmanda as part of their backup solutions. It focuses on providing secure and scalable cloud storage for your backups.

Key aspects of Zmanda Cloud Storage:

  • SaaS-based Deployments: Zmanda handles the infrastructure and management of the cloud storage behind the scenes.
  • Scalability: ZCS can grow as your data storage needs increase.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Zmanda emphasizes reducing your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
  • Disaster Recovery: Storing backups in the cloud ensures recovery in case of a localized disaster.
  • Reduced Hardware Needs: By leveraging cloud storage, you might eliminate the need for additional on-premises storage hardware.

It's important to note that Zmanda Cloud Storage might not be a standalone product. It likely works in conjunction with Zmanda backup software like Zmanda Pro.

Yes, Zmanda Pro is designed for hybrid cloud environments. It lets you store backups on-premises, in Zmanda's cloud storage, or even in public clouds like AWS or Azure, all managed from a single console.

Yes, Zmanda Pro supports the backup of sparse files, ensuring efficient storage and minimal disk space usage.

Yes, Zmanda Pro supports the backup of hard links, maintaining the integrity and structure of your file system.

No, Zmanda Pro preserves the original timestamps of files and directories during backups to maintain data integrity.

Yes, Zmanda Pro supports forever incremental backups, allowing you to back up only the changes made since the last backup, saving time and storage space.

Yes, you can exclude specific files or directories from backups by configuring exclusion rules in Zmanda Pro.

Linux:
CentOS 8 or newer
Debian 8 "Jessie" or newer
Ubuntu 16.04 or newer
Any other recent Linux operating system version (kernel 2.6.23 or newer). Recommended kernel 5.0 or newer.

Mac:
macOS 10.13 "High Sierra" or newer

Microsoft Windows:
Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, or newer
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and newer
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or newer

For more information, check out the compatibility matrix.

Yes, Zmanda Pro provides hot backups for MS Exchange, allowing backups to occur without interrupting email services.

Yes, Zmanda Pro offers hot backups for Oracle databases on Windows OS, ensuring continuous data protection without downtime.

Yes, Zmanda Pro supports hot backups for MS SQL, enabling seamless data protection while the database is online.

Yes, Zmanda Pro supports the backup of various virtual machines, including those running on VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM.

Trial period

The Zmanda Pro free trial lasts for 14 days.

No, credit card information is not required to start your Zmanda Pro free trial.

Yes, you can request to extend your free trial period by contacting our sales team.

At the end of your Zmanda Pro free trial, your account will be deleted. It's crucial to export any data you wish to retain before the trial expires.

We recommend upgrading to a paid plan to continue protecting your valuable data and accessing advanced features. However, if you choose not to proceed with a paid plan, please ensure you have exported all necessary data before the trial ends.

We will provide timely reminders before the trial expiration date to assist you in this process.

The free trial provides full access to all Zmanda Pro features, allowing you to thoroughly evaluate the software.

No, you can protect an unlimited number of devices and create an unlimited number of backups during the free trial.
Need help? Get a demo

While we provide 1TB of Zmanda Cloud Storage for the trial, you can also use your own storage resources. If you require more cloud storage, please contact our sales team.

The system requirements for Zmanda Pro will depend on the number of devices you are protecting and the amount of data you are backing up. Please refer to our documentation for detailed specifications.

Zmanda Pro is designed to be compatible with most existing backup infrastructures. However, for specific compatibility questions, refer to our compatibility matrix.

Yes, our sales team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter.

No, you canโ€™t migrate your existing backups to Zmanda Pro.

Contact our sales team for information on current promotions and discounts.

Security and
Compliance

Zmanda uses advanced encryption protocols (AES-256) for data at rest and TLS for data in motion, configurable with custom certificates for additional security. Regular security audits ensure compliance with industry standards.

Yes, Zmanda complies with CCPA, safeguarding the personal information of California residents.

Yes, Zmanda Pro supports various compliance requirements, including SOC 2 and ISO 27001, helping enterprises meet regulatory standards.

Zmanda Pro implements multiple layers of protection, including encryption, redundancy, and regular backups to secure data against loss. To know more about our backup practices, read up on this blog.

Yes, Zmanda Pro includes a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, ensuring business continuity and rapid data restoration in case of a disaster. Read up on how Zmanda protects you in case of a disaster

Licensing and
Pricing

Zmanda's licensing model offers flexible, scalable licensing options. Zmanda has a license-by-workload pricing model that lets you drive cost savings from day 1 and caters to various business needs. It allows for straightforward pricing and easy license management. While most of our competitors charge by the amount of backed-up data, you end up paying to back up your data by the gig, which is 3x of what you pay with Zmanda.

See detailed pricing

Yes, Zmanda offers discounts for large-scale data backup. Contact our sales team for detailed pricing and discount information.

Zmanda Pro is licensed based on the number of virtual machines or virtual hosts, providing scalable solutions for virtual environments.

Zmanda Pro charges for Amazon S3 backups based on the amount of data stored and the frequency of backups. Contact sales for detailed pricing.

Zmanda Pro charges for Hypervisor backups based on the number of Tier 1 Hypervisors you need to back up, not the number of VMs running on them. This means you can back up even hundreds of VMs on a single Hypervisor license. Contact sales for customized pricing options.

Upgrading your Zmanda Pro license involves contacting Zmanda sales . They can assess your needs and provide the appropriate upgrade options.

License renewals can be managed by contacting our sales team for assistance.

Installation and
Deployment

Installation and initial backup configuration typically take minutes, depending on your environment. Subsequent backups can be scheduled and run automatically with minimal intervention.

Deployment times vary:

  • Small enterprises: A few hours to a day
  • Medium enterprises: 1-2 days
  • Large enterprises: Several days, depending on complexity and data volume

The system requirements for installing Zmanda Pro will vary depending on the specific components you're deploying (server, client, etc.). Here's a simplified breakdown:

Server:
  • Hardware: Minimum of 4 CPU cores and 4GB RAM (16GB recommended) with x86_64 or ARM64 architecture.
  • Operating System: Windows 10 or later, Windows Server 2016 or later, Ubuntu 16.04 or later, Debian 8 "Jessie" or later, or CentOS 7 or later.
  • Storage: Approximately 1GB for the server software itself and additional space for customer data and job logs.
  • Internet: Minimum of 1 Mbps download/upload speed (1 Gbps recommended) for internet access (licensing and potential updates).
Client:
  • Operating System: Varies depending on the specific client version. Check documentation for compatibility with your target systems (Windows, Linux, macOS).
  • Disk Space: Minimal disk space is required for the client software. The actual backup storage needs will depend on the data you're backing up. Talk to Zmanda Support for further questions.

Additional
FAQs

Zmanda Pro provides a robust scheduling system for both manual and automated backups:

  • Scheduling Flexibility: Define custom backup schedules based on your needs, such as daily, weekly, or real-time backups.
  • Automated Backups: Ensures backups run consistently without manual intervention.
  • Intelligent Scheduling: Avoids network overload by scheduling backups during off-peak hours.

Additional features include an easy-to-use configuration interface, monitoring tools, and alert systems to track backup progress and issues.

Yes, Zmanda Pro integrates well with existing IT infrastructure.

  • Supports various workloads, including virtual machines, servers, and applications.
  • Uses lightweight agents for seamless deployment.
  • Offers APIs for automation and scripting within your current environment.

Zmanda Pro offers multiple customer support options:

  • Comprehensive knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and FAQs.
  • Detailed documentation, including installation steps and configuration guides.
  • 24/7 support to connect with engineers for immediate resolution.

Zmanda Pro ensures data integrity through:

  • Data Verification: Compares source and backup data to prevent corruption.
  • Immutable Backups: Creates unchangeable copies for added security.
  • Recovery Assurance: Ensures the backup remains intact even if the original data is compromised.

Zmanda Pro releases:

  • Major Updates: Every quarter, introducing new features.
  • Frequent Patches: Every 1-2 weeks, addressing bug fixes and system compatibility.

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