Retrospect 8.0 adds new engine, redesigned interface
updated 12:30 pm EST, Tue January 6, 2009
Retrospect 8
EMC has released the latest version of its backup and recovery software, Retrospect 8.0. The update offers a redesigned user interface along with a new engine and improved architecture. The console now features elements inspired by iTunes and Mac OS X Server Admin, with new tools to help users learn basic operations. The program is built with modular components, allowing remote management of multiple Retrospect servers from a single window. The new engine is capable of simultaneous backup, restore and copy tasks.
New backup-to-disk options include support for network drives, combining multiple volumes, disk grooming and expanded restriction settings for storage usage. Users can simultaneously send several streams of data to multiple storage systems, or protect the backup data with AES-256 encryption.
A public beta of Retrospect 8.0 for Mac is now available for download, with the formal software release scheduled for the first quarter or 2009. The desktop version will be priced at $130 for a three-user license, while an upgrade will cost $60. The single-server variant carries a price of $810 for new customers or $540 for an upgrade, while the multi-server new license and upgrade prices are set at $1670 and $940, respectively.
The software release may come as a surprise to many, as EMC reportedly halted the project in January of 2007. The company had denied the suggestion, but was in the process of trimming its workforce at the time.
