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Vector Transport Service

Vector Transport Service (VTS)

Move Your Vector Data Securely. 
Open-Source and Self-Hosted.
Private Infrastructure. Own Your Data Pipeline.

Vector Transport Service (VTS) is the open-source toolkit for securely moving unstructured and vector data in private environments. Deploy anywhere, control everything.

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What is Vector Transport Service (VTS)?

Vector Transport Service (VTS) is an open-source data migration tool designed to handle the complex task of moving vectors and unstructured data between different data platforms. It supports migration from all major data sources, including Qdrant, PostgreSQL, Pinecone, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, etc., to Milvus and Zilliz Cloud, but it requires self-deployment and management. 

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How does Vector Transport Service (VTS) work?

How does vts work

  • 1. Deploy: Install VTS in your environment (Docker or Kubernetes).

  • 2. Connect: Link source and target databases via private network.

  • 3. Transform: Apply schema mappings or embedding conversions.

  • 4. Migrate: Run one-time batches or sync continuously.

Key Benefits of Vector Transport Service (VTS)

  • Self-Hosted & Open-Source

    Self-Hosted & Open-Source

    Deploy VTS in your own infrastructure. Own the code, control the data, and customize every step.

  • No Public Internet Access Required

    No Public Internet Access Required

    Migrate data securely between on-premises databases or air-gapped networks without requiring public internet access.

  • Scalable & High-Performance

    Scalable & High-Performance

    Designed to handle large volumes of unstructured and vector data without compromising speed or reliability.

  • Enterprise-Ready Flexibility

    Enterprise-Ready Flexibility

    Batch or streaming modes, custom transformations, and compatibility with Kubernetes for scalable operations.

  • Broad Compatibility Across Leading Data Platforms

    Broad Compatibility Across Leading Data Platforms

    Migrate seamlessly from Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Pinecone, Qdrant, Milvus, PostgreSQL, and more – whether in the cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP) or on-premises.

  • Purpose-built for Vector and Unstructured Data

    Purpose-built for Vector and Unstructured Data

    VTS is purpose-built to move unstructured data and vector embeddings across different data sources. It handles schema conflicts, format conversions, and version control for vector data — without rebuilding pipelines from scratch.

Vector Transport Service (VTS) vs Zilliz Migration Service

Zilliz Migration Service is a free, fully managed tool built on VTS, designed specifically for migrating unstructured and vector data. It offers the same powerful capabilities as VTS but with a seamless, out-of-the-box experience and added enterprise support.

Zilliz Migration ServiceVector Transport Service (VTS)
DeploymentFully managed service built within Zilliz CloudSelf-hosted and user-managed
Ease of UseOut-of-the-box, no setup requiredRequires manual deployment & ongoing maintenance
Supported Data SourcesSupports all major data sources (Milvus, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Pinecone, Qdrant, PostgreSQL, etc.)Supports all major data sources (Milvus, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Amazon S3 Vectors, Pinecone, Qdrant, Weaviate, PostgreSQL, etc.)
Real-Time SyncYes, built-in continuous synchronizationYes, but the configuration is manual
Network RequirementsPublic access to sources requiredPrivate network compatible
CostFree and fully managedFree, but incurs infrastructure and operational costs
Best ForOrganizations seeking a hassle-free, supported migration experienceOrganizations with existing infrastructure that prefer self-management and on-premises environments
Not sure which one to choose? Contact support

Frequently asked questions

  • 1. What is Vector Transport Service (VTS)?

    Vector Transport Service (VTS) is an open-source migration tool designed specifically for unstructured and vector data. It enables you to transfer data from various sources into Milvus or Zilliz Cloud, offering the flexibility to manage migrations in your own environment.

  • 2. How does VTS work?

    VTS automates the migration process by extracting data from your source system, transforming it to match the target schema, and then loading it into your destination vector database. It supports both batch (offline) migrations and real-time data synchronization, allowing you to choose the method that best fits your needs.

  • 3. Which data sources are supported by VTS?

    VTS supports a wide range of data sources, including popular vector databases like Milvus, search engines such as Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, and other platforms like Amazon S3 Vectors, Pinecone, Qdrant, Weaviate, PostgreSQL, and more. It works with both cloud-based and on-premises systems.

  • 4. How is VTS different from Zilliz Migration Service?

    While VTS is an open-source tool that you deploy and manage on your own infrastructure, Zilliz Migration Service is a fully managed solution built on top of VTS. The managed service offers an out-of-the-box experience with additional enterprise features and support, reducing the operational burden. Learn more about Zilliz Migration Service.

  • 5. How do I deploy VTS in my own environment?

    You can deploy VTS by downloading the open-source code from our GitHub repository. Follow the detailed installation and configuration guides provided in our documentation to set up the necessary dependencies, configure your data sources and targets, and launch the migration process.

  • 6. Does VTS support zero downtime migration?

    Yes, VTS supports real-time, zero-downtime migration with manually set configurations. It creates an initial snapshot of your data and continuously synchronizes any changes, ensuring your applications remain operational throughout the migration process.
    Please note: This feature is currently only applicable to data migration from Milvus to Zilliz Cloud. To enable this feature, you must manually deploy Milvus CDC (Change Data Capture) for continuous data synchronization. See our GitHub page for more details.

  • 7. How does VTS handle data transformation and schema mapping?

    VTS comes with built-in mechanisms for data transformation and schema mapping. It automatically adjusts your data’s format and structure during the migration, helping to bridge any differences between the source and target systems and reducing manual configuration.

  • 8. Is VTS free to use?

    Yes, VTS is an open-source tool available for free. However, keep in mind that you will need to manage the deployment, infrastructure, and operational costs in your own environment.

  • 9. What are the prerequisites for deploying VTS?

    Before deploying VTS, ensure that your source database is accessible and properly configured for data extraction. Additionally, you'll need an appropriate environment (such as a server or container platform) to run the tool, along with the necessary dependencies as outlined in our installation guides. See this GitHub page for more information.

  • 10. Where can I find support and documentation for VTS?

    Comprehensive documentation, including installation guides, configuration details, and troubleshooting tips, is available on our website and GitHub repository. For further assistance, you can also tap into our Discord community and support channels, where experienced users and developers share insights and help resolve issues.

Need a Managed Solution?

Try Zilliz Migration Service – powered by VTS core but with more advanced features and enterprise support. Focus on your data, not the infrastructure.

Learn Zilliz Migration ServiceContact Support