One of the most critical pieces of information for IT administrators managing HPE Zerto is the end of support schedule. This comprehensive guide provides essential information you need when planning updates or preparing for migrations.
1. What is HPE Zerto? A Brief Overview
HPE Zerto is an enterprise-grade data protection solution that prevents downtime through Continuous Data Protection (CDP) and automation, supporting secure disaster recovery and workload migration.
Since HPE’s acquisition of Zerto, the solution has become more tightly integrated with the HPE ecosystem. Over 9,500 customers leverage HPE Zerto to reduce the risk and complexity of IT transformation and cloud adoption, particularly addressing ransomware resilience, disaster recovery, and multi-cloud mobility challenges.
2. Understanding Zerto Support Policy: Two-Phase Support Structure
To properly understand HPE Zerto’s support policy, you need to understand the support phases first. Zerto requires an active maintenance contract and operates two support phases: General Support and Critical Support.
General Support Phase
- Bug fixes and security patches provided
- New feature updates included
- Full technical support services available
Critical Support Phase
- Only critical bug and security fixes provided
- No new feature updates
- Limited technical support
When the Critical Support phase ends, the release reaches End of Support Life (EOSL) and is no longer supported.
3. HPE Zerto Key Components Overview
The Zerto solution consists of several core components:
| Component | Abbreviation | Role | Deployment Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zerto Virtual Manager | ZVM | Central management console, policy configuration and monitoring | One per site |
| Virtual Replication Appliance | VRA | Performs actual data replication | One per ESXi host |
| Virtual Protection Group | VPG | VM group-level protection policy management | Logical grouping |
| Zerto Cloud Manager | ZCM | Multi-tenant environment management (for service providers) | Cloud environment |
| Zerto Cloud Connector | ZCC | Customer-service provider connection | One per tenant |
| Self Service Portal | ZSSP | Customer disaster recovery portal | Web interface |
4. Latest HPE Zerto 10.x Series Detailed Support Schedule
Currently Supported Versions (As of September 2025)
| Version | Release Date | General Support Status | General Support End | Critical Support End (EOSL) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0 Update 7 | May 6, 2025 | ✅ Active | Active | May 6, 2026 | ✅ Recommended |
| 10.0 Update 6 | December 3, 2024 | 🟡 Ended | May 6, 2025 | December 3, 2026 | ⚠️ Consider Upgrade |
Recently End-of-Support 10.0 Series
| Version | Release Date | General Support End | Critical Support End (EOSL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0 Update 5 | August 6, 2024 | December 3, 2024 | December 3, 2024 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| 10.0 Update 4 | May 15, 2024 | August 6, 2024 | August 6, 2024 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| 10.0 Update 3 | February 12, 2024 | May 15, 2024 | May 15, 2024 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| 10.0 Update 2 | November 28, 2023 | February 12, 2024 | February 12, 2024 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| 10.0 Update 1 | August 7, 2023 | November 28, 2023 | November 28, 2023 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| 10.0 GA | July 5, 2023 | August 7, 2023 | August 7, 2023 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
5. HPE Zerto 9.x Series Complete End of Support Status
| Version | Release Date | General Support End | Critical Support End (EOSL) | Last Support Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.7 GA | November 8, 2022 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2024 |
| 9.5 GA | April 5, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 |
| 9.0 GA | July 13, 2021 | August 1, 2022 | October 15, 2023 | October 15, 2023 |
⚠️ Critical Notice: All 9.x series versions have reached complete end of support. Security patches are no longer provided, so immediate upgrade to 10.0 Update 7 is required.
6. HPE Zerto 8.x and Earlier Legacy Support Status
8.x Series (All End of Support)
| Version | Release Date | General Support End | Critical Support End (EOSL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 GA | November 1, 2020 | January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
| 8.0 GA | March 22, 2020 | May 31, 2021 | June 1, 2022 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
7.x Series (All End of Support)
| Version | Release Date | General Support End | Critical Support End (EOSL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 GA | September 22, 2019 | December 5, 2020 | December 6, 2021 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
| 7.0 GA | April 26, 2019 | May 30, 2020 | May 30, 2021 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
6.x Series and Earlier (All End of Support)
| Version | Release Date | General Support End | Critical Support End (EOSL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 GA | September 16, 2018 | October 30, 2019 | October 30, 2020 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
| 6.0 GA | February 15, 2018 | March 30, 2019 | March 30, 2020 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
| 5.5 GA | July 31, 2017 | September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2019 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
| 5.0 GA | November 8, 2016 | August 31, 2018 | August 31, 2018 | ❌ EOSL Complete |
7. Pre-Support End Checklist
If your current Zerto environment is approaching end of support, please check the following items in advance:
Technical Preparation Items
| Check Item | Verification Method | Path/Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Current Version Check | Access ZVM web console | Settings > About |
| License Status | License status check | Administration > Licenses |
| Protected VM Count | VPG status verification | VPGs Tab |
| Interoperability | Platform compatibility verification | Refer to Interoperability Matrix |
Upgrade Planning
- Verify compatibility with new versions
- Plan upgrade downtime
- Prepare rollback procedures
- Pre-validate in test environment
8. Important Notice for Windows-based ZVM Users
For VMware platforms, Windows-based Zerto Virtual Manager (ZVM) is scheduled for future deprecation in favor of Linux-based ZVM Appliance. If you’re currently using Windows ZVM, please plan migration to Linux-based appliances.
9. HPE Support Services and License Policy Details
Support Service Options Comparison
| Support Type | Coverage Hours | Response Time | Included Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Support | 24×7 | Fast response | Dedicated support specialist access |
| Standard Support | 9 AM – 5 PM | Standard response | Phone and email support |
License Policy Summary
| License Type | Validity Period | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Perpetual License | Perpetual | Maintenance contract required |
| Migration License | 6 months | From order fulfillment date |
HPE Zerto requires maintenance and support for all perpetual licenses. Zerto migration licenses are issued per protected VM and are valid for 6 months from the order fulfillment date.
10. Post-Support Alternatives and Upgrade Strategy
Versions Requiring Immediate Action
| Current Version | Risk Level | Recommended Action | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| All versions 9.7 and below | 🔴 High | Immediate upgrade | Top Priority |
| 10.0 Update 5 and below | 🔴 High | Immediate upgrade | Top Priority |
| 10.0 Update 6 | 🟡 Medium | Plan upgrade | Important |
Upgrade Roadmap
Phased Upgrade Strategy
- Phase 1: 9.x and below → 10.0 Update 7 (Immediate)
- Phase 2: 10.0 Update 6 → 10.0 Update 7 (Within 2025)
- Phase 3: Planned upgrade upon next version release
Continuing to use versions that have reached EOSL poses significant security risks. Particularly after EOSL when security patches are discontinued, cybersecurity risks increase dramatically, so we recommend establishing a well-planned upgrade schedule.
11. Related Resources and Links
Official HPE Zerto information can be found at the following links:
- HPE Zerto Software Official Page
- Zerto Interoperability Matrix
- HPE Zerto QuickSpecs
- endoflife.date Zerto Page
By understanding and preparing for HPE Zerto’s end of support schedule in advance, you can maintain a stable data protection environment continuously. Regular monitoring of updated information will help you maintain efficient infrastructure management.