EMC® Retrospect   www.emcinsignia.com

 

4 Stars ****

  • Extremely stable.
  • Extremely reliable and includes alerts on both server and desktop when backup wasn't accomplished.
  • Updates give drivers of popular DVD writers.
  • Extensively thorough documentation
  • Like most Enterprise-capable backup systems, it works without being logged in to system.  When reaching end of tape and auto-eject, it will continue when another tape is inserted, even while not logged in.
  • Restored a Windows 2000 & 2003 Server PDC (Primary Domain Controller) that also had the Retrospect software and tape catalogues installed. 
    • Tested this restore to a blank hard drive, as if the hard drive had fully failed. 
    • Accomplished in under 3 hours the first try (and did it without using the Disaster Recovery bootable CD method that is available for even faster recoveries!)
    • All shares, users, Active Directory, etc. were restored.
    • The Retrospect backups settings, catalogues, etc. were fully restored.
  • Tested on Windows 2003 Server (Standard, Enterprise, & Web Servers).
  • Copies large directories of files to another location faster than copy and paste.
  • Exchange Server agent works fine and is mailbox selectable.  SQL Server and other open file backups managed.  Validated on both SQL Server 2000 and 2005.
  • Outlook PST files get backed up and can even force or prompt to close Outlook in order to backup it up and then reopen it!  Amazing insight!
  • The "Proactive Client" agent can be set to prompt the user for actions to take prior to a backup.  You can also take that further via server settings to "check again later" in case the user decided to defer their workstation backup.  You can even go further by having settings to force the user out of his/her volume until the backup's been completed.  Again, amazing insight into users and business security needs.
  • Extensive options for scheduling repeated backups of critical files, directories, etc. for periods of time within the same day.  Perfect for developers that need their work backed up every hour or other time period.
  • Much higher performance than typical backup software
  • Recommended:
    • Fortune Companies
    • Developers
    • Network Administrators
    • Office Personnel
  • Tested for installation, feature richness, functionality, and improvements across version upgrades

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