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{{Short description|Data backup software for the SME market}}
{{Primary sources|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{other uses|Retrospect (disambiguation)}} {{other uses|Retrospect (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox software
| logo = Retrospect Inc logo.png
| name = Retrospect
| developer = Dantz Development Corporation
| released = 1989
| operating system = ], ], ]
| genre = ]
| license = ]
| website = {{URL|https://www.retrospect.com/}}
}}
⚫ '''Retrospect''' is a family of software applications that ] computers running the ], ], and ] (and until 2019 ]) ]s. It uses the ] model.<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0">{{cite book |last1=Kissell |first1=Joe |title=Take Control of Mac OS X Backups |date=2007 |publisher=TidBITS Electronic Publishing |location=Ithaca, NY |isbn=978-0-9759503-0-2 |edition=Version 2.0 |url=http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~techtool/pages/Take_Control_of_Mac_OS_X_Backups_(2.0).pdf |access-date=4 May 2019 |ref=Kissell |pages=18-20 ("The Archive", meaning ], including versioning), 24 (client-server), 82-83 (archive file), 126-141 (old Retrospect terminology and GUI—still used in Windows variant), 127 (Archiving operation in Retrospect), 128 (subvolume—later renamed Favorite Folder in Macintosh variant), 130-132 (Duplicate—later renamed Copy in Macintosh variant), 146(versioning), 165 (client-server) |archive-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015091343/http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~techtool/pages/Take_Control_of_Mac_OS_X_Backups_(2.0).pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The product is focused on the ] (SME) market. It performs three types of backup: "A Recycle backup deletes a backup set and adds all files, and a New Media backup creates a new backup set, copying all the files not included. Again this represents all files. Once installed, scripts can also be introduced to enable Scheduled backup using predetermined information supplied by the administrator. This information contains source, destination and other criteria, which enables a backup session to scan and back up one volume at a time, requiring less memory than an immediate backup."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.scmagazine.com/review/retrospect-backup-multi-server/ |title=Retrospect Backup Multi Server Product Review |access-date=2019-09-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫ '''Retrospect''' is a family of software applications that ] computers running the ], ], and ] (and until 2019 ]) ]s. It uses the ] model.<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0">{{cite book |last1=Kissell |first1=Joe |title=Take Control of Mac OS X Backups |date=2007 |publisher=TidBITS Electronic Publishing |location=Ithaca, NY |isbn=978-0-9759503-0-2 |edition=Version 2.0 |url=http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~techtool/pages/Take_Control_of_Mac_OS_X_Backups_(2.0).pdf |accessdate=4 May 2019 |ref=Kissell |pages=18-20 ("The Archive", meaning ], including versioning), 24 (client-server), 82-83 (archive file), 126-141 (old Retrospect terminology and GUI—still used in Windows variant), 127 (Archiving operation in Retrospect), 128 (subvolume—later renamed Favorite Folder in Macintosh variant), 130-132 (Duplicate—later renamed Copy in Macintosh variant), 146(versioning), 165 (client-server)}}</ref>


The product is used for ]-scripted<ref name="MacworldRetrospect9">{{cite web |last1=Gripman |first1=Stuart |title=Retrospect 9.0: powerful backup for professionals, organizations |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/1166050/retrospect_9_0.html |website=MacWorld |accessdate=3 November 2017 |date=27 March 2012 |at=Setting it up(WebDAV), Scheduling scripts(GUI scripting), Restoring(file-level deduplication, Proactive priorities)}}</ref> backup in ]<ref name="TidBITSMac10">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=Retrospect 10 Reduces Backup Time with Instant Scan Technology |url=https://tidbits.com/article/13379 |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=25 October 2016 |date=6 November 2012}}</ref>, primarily by small and medium-sized businesses.<ref name="TidBITSMac10" /><ref name="TidBITSEMCSells">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=Retrospect Backup Software Acquired by Sonic |url=https://tidbits.com/article/11311 |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=12 September 2017 |date=18 June 2010}}</ref> The product is used for ]-scripted<ref name="MacworldRetrospect9">{{cite web |last1=Gripman |first1=Stuart |title=Retrospect 9.0: powerful backup for professionals, organizations |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/1166050/retrospect_9_0.html |website=MacWorld |access-date=3 November 2017 |date=27 March 2012 |at=Setting it up(WebDAV), Scheduling scripts(GUI scripting), Restoring(file-level deduplication, Proactive priorities) |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417205552/https://www.pcworld.com/article/1166050/retrospect_9_0.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> backup.


== History == == History ==
The software was first developed by Dantz Development Corporation in 1989, initially for the Macintosh platform<ref name=InfoWorldAppleBundlesTapeBackupWithRetrospect>{{cite web |last1=Flynn |first1=Laurie |title=Apple Bundles Tape Backup With Retrospect Software |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525132747/https://books.google.com.au/books?id=wDAEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PT32&dq=Apple%20Tape%20Backup%2040SC&pg=PT32#v=onepage&q=Apple%20Tape%20Backup%2040SC&f=false |website=InfoWorld |publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. |accessdate=17 February 2019 |archivedate=25 May 2018 |page=33 |date=25 September 1989 |quote=...will bundle Dantz Development Corp.s Retrospect backup and archiving software with the Apple Tape Backup 40SC...}}</ref><ref name="TidBITS1.3Conclusion">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=Retrospect Conclusion |url=https://tidbits.com/1991/07/01/retrospect-conclusion/ |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=25 August 2019 |date=1 July 1991 |quote=I’ve worked with Retrospect for some time now, through versions 1.1, 1.2, and now 1.3, and I have nothing but respect for the program.... The only situation in which I don’t recommend Retrospect is for extremely non-technical novice users ....}}</ref> and continuing later for Windows.<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Dave |title=Retrospect Backup 16 review: Virtually useless for virtual machines |url=https://www.itpro.co.uk/backup-software/34080/retrospect-backup-16-review-virtually-useless-for-virtual-machines |website=ITPro |publisher=Dennis Publishing |accessdate=28 August 2019 |date=24 July 2019 |quote=Application support requires optional add-ons with Retrospect offering ones for Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server and IMAP email accounts . You can also add features included in the Multi-Server Premium version such as open file backup and Windows bare metal recovery to dissimilar hardware.... The main console hasn't seen any design changes for over a decade but we found it still works well enough. Your first task is to create backup sets which define destinations and can be anything from a tape or DVD to a local disk vault, removable drive, NAS share or cloud storage with Retrospect's support including Dropbox, Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Storage. ....No need to worry about choosing backup types as all jobs start with a full one followed by progressive backups that only copy new and changed files .... Storage groups function as containers where you add multiple disk vaults as folders and point your backups at the group allowing jobs to run in parallel. Agent-less backup for VMware and Hyper-V hosts is not supported so you'll have to load the client inside each VM and treat them as physical systems. An alternative is to use the Retrospect Virtual solution but this is a completely separate product that has no integration with the Backup software. You'll also need it if you want GRT (granular recovery technology) restores for Exchange 2016 and 2019 hosts as Retrospect Backup only supports this for mail servers up to Exchange 2013. For the latter, we had no problems securing our mail host over the network as Retrospect discovered its client and allowed us to back up the system, database and mailboxes. Management facilities see big improvements as along with the backup host's dashboard utility, Retrospect has an iOS app for monitoring selected backup servers plus a cloud portal service for keeping an eye on multiple, distributed hosts. Real-time host monitoring is free while support for multiple organisations and facilities to remotely deploy backup job scripts requires an add-on ....}}</ref> With sales split evenly between the two variants and the Macintosh variant claiming 90% of its market, Dantz Development Corporation was acquired by ] in 2004.<ref name="MacworldHistory">{{cite web |last1=DeLong |first1=Derik |title=Retrospect's long and twisted road |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1166085/retrospects_long_and_twisted_road.html |website=MacWorld |accessdate=4 October 2016 |date=27 March 2012}}</ref> In 2006 version 7.5, the refined first release of the Windows variant under EMC, added ] needed by ].<ref name="AlphrRetrospect7.5">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Dave |title=EMC Retrospect 7.5 review |url=http://www.alphr.com/backup/29747/emc-retrospect-75-review |website=Alphr |publisher=Dennis Publishing |accessdate=4 October 2017 |date=20 April 2006 |quote=Along with removable media, Retrospect has always had the ability to back up to hard disk.... It takes a full backup only once and then compares this with the source on subsequent runs and copies only changed or newly created files.}}</ref> In 2009, EMC was working on<ref name="ChannelBuzzStoreCentricAcquiresRetrospect">{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Mark |title=StorCentric acquires Retrospect, which will become a separate subsidiary like Drobo and Nexsan |url=https://channelbuzz.ca/2019/06/storcentric-acquires-retrospect-which-will-become-a-separate-subsidiary-like-drobo-and-nexsan-31098/ |website=channelbuzz.ca |accessdate=26 June 2019 |date=25 June 2019 |quote=Like the other companies in the portfolio, Retrospect will continue to operate as an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary of StorCentric. However, a version of it will be integrated with Drobo .... After we came on board, there were internal business reorganizations that put us in a different business unit. Things kind of went downhill from there, and EMC wound up end-of-lifing the product.... Heithcock said. 'They said that ‘the Mac is coming back, so let’s go into Mac. Our task was to come out with a Mac-centric product, and we did that, with a new UI that was separate from the engine, something they were still working on for Windows at the time.'}}</ref> adding an updated user interface and separate ] similar to that of the newly released Macintosh variant version 8.0,<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=EMC Ships Modernized Retrospect 8 |url=https://tidbits.com/article/10159 |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=3 November 2018 |date=23 March 2009 |at=Architecture and interface(Engine/Console/Client split, custom report, better email notifications), Performance(simultaneous operations), New Backup Capabilities(disk grooming, disk-to-disk-to-tape, staged synthetic full), Editions and Upgrades}}</ref> but mandatory Windows security settings starting with Windows Vista/Server 2008 subsequently forbade UI interaction with an application auto-launched<ref name="RetrospectWindows12UG">{{cite web |title=Retrospect ® 12 Windows User's Guide |url=http://download.retrospect.com/docs/win/v12/user_guide/Retrospect_Win_User_Guide-EN.pdf |website=Retrospect |publisher=Retrospect Inc. |accessdate=2 September 2018 |year=2017 |pages=30-31(deduplication via "Snapshots"—a Retrospect term which predates and is distinct from ]), 31-32(Dashboard), 41-43(removable disk drives), 216-218(selector as subset filter for synthetic full backups), 230-233(Scripted Verification), 280(Multiple Executions), 369(Duplicate Execution Options), 420(Startup Preferences—Launcher for auto-launch), 426-427(E-mail), 433-434(Open File Backup Tips—VSS snapshot at natural pause), 530-544(SQL Server Agent—coordinating VSS snapshot), 545-566(Exchange Server Agent—coordinating VSS snapshot)}}</ref> by a task.<ref name="RetrospectKnowledgeBase">{{cite web |title=Support: Knowledge Base |url=https://www.retrospect.com/en/support/kb/ |website=Retrospect |publisher=Retrospect Inc. |accessdate=4 May 2019 |date=24 April 2019 |at=#Resources (Auto Launching Guide ..., ... difference between "Backup" and "Duplicate", Avid Support ..., Instant Scan FAQ, Can't use Open File Backup ...), #Email Backup, #Top Articles (BackupBot – Deep Dive into ProactiveAI, How to Set Up Remote Backup, GDPR – Deep Dive into Data Retention Policies, Deep Dive - Components of a Retrospect Backup, How to Set Up the Management Console, Management Console - How to Use Shared Scripts, How to Use Storage Groups, Support End-of-Life Announcement for Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5, Retrospect Compatibility with Apple File System (APFS)), #Hooks (Script Hooks: External Scripting with Event Handlers, Script Hooks: How to Protect MongoDB with Retrospect, Script Hooks: How to Protect MySQL with Retrospect, Script Hooks: How to Protect PostgreSQL with Retrospect)}}</ref> The software was first developed by Dantz Development Corporation in 1989, initially for the Macintosh platform<ref name=InfoWorldAppleBundlesTapeBackupWithRetrospect>{{cite web |last1=Flynn |first1=Laurie |title=Apple Bundles Tape Backup With Retrospect Software |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wDAEAAAAMBAJ&q=Apple+Tape+Backup+40SC&pg=PT32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525132747/https://books.google.com.au/books?id=wDAEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PT32&dq=Apple%20Tape%20Backup%2040SC&pg=PT32#v=onepage&q=Apple%20Tape%20Backup%2040SC&f=false |url-status=dead |website=InfoWorld |publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. |access-date=17 February 2019 |archive-date=25 May 2018 |page=33 |date=25 September 1989 |quote=...will bundle Dantz Development Corp.s Retrospect backup and archiving software with the Apple Tape Backup 40SC...}}</ref><ref name="TidBITS1.3Conclusion">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=Retrospect Conclusion |url=https://tidbits.com/1991/07/01/retrospect-conclusion/ |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |access-date=25 August 2019 |date=1 July 1991}}</ref> and continuing later for Windows.<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Dave |title=Retrospect Backup 16 review: Virtually useless for virtual machines |url=https://www.itpro.co.uk/backup-software/34080/retrospect-backup-16-review-virtually-useless-for-virtual-machines |website=ITPro |publisher=Dennis Publishing |access-date=28 August 2019 |date=24 July 2019}}</ref> With sales split evenly between the two variants and the Macintosh variant claiming 90% of its market, Dantz Development Corporation was acquired by ] in 2004.<ref name="MacworldHistory">{{cite web |last1=DeLong |first1=Derik |title=Retrospect's long and twisted road |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1166085/retrospects_long_and_twisted_road.html |website=MacWorld |access-date=4 October 2016 |date=27 March 2012}}</ref> In 2006 version 7.5, the refined first release of the Windows variant under EMC, added performance features needed by ].<ref name="AlphrRetrospect7.5">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Dave |title=EMC Retrospect 7.5 review |url=http://www.alphr.com/backup/29747/emc-retrospect-75-review |website=Alphr |publisher=Dennis Publishing |access-date=4 October 2017 |date=20 April 2006}}</ref>


Acquisition by EMC, under its Insignia brand, led to the product being briefly mothballed when Insignia was shut down in 2007. It was revived in 2008 and transferred to EMC's new acquisition ]. A "premature"<ref name="TidBITSEMCSells">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=Retrospect Backup Software Acquired by Sonic |url=https://tidbits.com/article/11311 |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |access-date=12 September 2017 |date=18 June 2010}}</ref> release of Retrospect 8 in 2009 undermined its market after Apple introduced its competing ] ]. In 2010, Retrospect was sold to ], owned by ], which was then in turn acquired by ]. Rovi decided that it was not a core business, but a team who had worked on the product approached Rovi with the idea of spinning out as a separate company. Retrospect, Inc. was formed by a core team most of whom had worked on the product for ten years or more.<ref name="MacworldHistory" /> Retrospect 9 was introduced in 2012, to positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Retrospect 9.0: powerful backup for professionals, organizations|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/1166050/retrospect_9_0.html|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417205552/https://www.pcworld.com/article/1166050/retrospect_9_0.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Meanwhile, the Macintosh variant had "languished"<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> at EMC—with temporary "end-of-lifing"<ref name="ChannelBuzzStoreCentricAcquiresRetrospect" />, until "development was revived in 2008 when EMC hired back some of its former engineers"<ref name="MacworldHistory" />—including ex-Dantz ones.<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> This resulted in the "premature"<ref name="TidBITSEMCSells" /> release of a version 8.0 of Retrospect Macintosh that was temporarily<ref name="TidBITSRetrospect8.2">{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Lex |title=Retrospect 8.2 |url=https://tidbits.com/watchlist/retrospect-8-2/ |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=2 June 2018 |date=29 July 2010}}</ref> missing key operational features, even though it added the performance features of Retrospect Windows 7.5.<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" />


In June 2019 the holding company StorCentric—which also owns ]—announced that it had acquired Retrospect Inc., which it will operate as an wholly owned independent subsidiary.<ref name="PressReleaseStorCentricAcquiresRetrospectInc.">{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Emily |title=StorCentric Acquires Retrospect, Inc. to Offer Enhanced Backup and Recovery Software Solutions |url=https://www.retrospect.com/en/press/2019/06/25/retrospect_inc_joins_storcentric_family |website=Retrospect |publisher=Retrospect Inc. |access-date=24 September 2019 |date=25 June 2019}}</ref>
In May 2010, the software was sold to ]/].<ref name="TidBITSEMCSells" /> In 2011, following the purchase of Sonic Solutions by Rovi, development of the software was turned over to a privately held company.<ref name="MacworldHistory" /> Since 2012 Retrospect Inc. has continued to sell<ref name="Blocks&FilesStorCentricCEO">{{cite web |last1=Mellor |first1=Chris |title=StorCentric CEO: 'My mission is to build the next world-class storage company' |url=https://blocksandfiles.com/2019/08/02/storcentric-company-profile/ |website=Blocks & Files |publisher=Situation Publishing |accessdate=25 August 2019 |at=Lead, Storage products for the entire bit cycle, The history boys, Technology development |date=2 August 2019 |quote=... bought Retrospect, a backup software vendor with half a million customers but skinny revenues....The big vendors focus on $30m-per-year customers and 'forget about everyone else,' according to Shah.... a Drobo+Retrospect backup appliance is being considered.}}</ref> two variants of backup server software that, while having nearly identical non-GUI code,<ref name="ChannelBuzzStoreCentricAcquiresRetrospect" /> operate differently. Retrospect Windows substitutes a view-only ] (which was upgraded in 2019 into a Web-based Management Console—with optional deployment of shared scripts<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" />) for Retrospect Macintosh's separate ],<ref name="RetrospectWindowsReleaseNotes">{{cite web |title=Retrospect for Windows Release Notes |url=https://www.retrospect.com/en/documentation/user_guide/win/release_notes |website=Retrospect |publisher=Retrospect Inc. |accessdate=31 October 2018 |date=17 May 2018 |quote=Improved: Retrospect Dashboard has a new icon to differentiate it from the Retrospect application. Improved: Retrospect Dashboard launches when Retrospect is already running in Session 0 and includes explanatory message. Improved: Retrospect Dashboard's "Relaunch Retrospect" button displays an alert message when there is an execution running. Improved: Retrospect Dashboard includes improved media request text. Note: In a future update, Linux clients running on server-level Linux distributions will be treated as server clients. |at=10.0.0.213 (Engine: Grooming "Months to keep" setting), 12.5.0.177 (Engine: Dashboard improvements), 15.0.0.269 (Client: server distrib. of Linux will be treated as server in future update), 15.1.0.151 (Engine: Desktop can now reduce its maximum execution units )}}</ref> and basically keeps the pre-2009 terminology<ref group=note>The terminology was changed in the 2009 Macintosh variant; this article will use whichever variant's term seems more precise, with the other variant's term as a footnote.</ref> and GUI .<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0" />


After the 2023 bankruptcy of StorCentric, Retrospect was spun off into a separate company owned by Serene Investment Management, a private equity company which had a financial link to StorCentric.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Letter from the CEO|url=https://forums.retrospect.com/topic/155069-a-letter-from-the-ceo/|date=28 June 2023}}</ref>
In June 2019 the holding company StorCentric—which also owns ]—announced that it had acquired Retrospect Inc.,<ref name="TechTargetStorCentricAcquiresRetrospect">{{cite web |last1=Kranz |first1=Garry |title=Storage startup StorCentric takes flier on Retrospect backup |url=https://searchdatabackup.techtarget.com/news/252465704/Storage-startup-StorCentric-takes-flier-on-Retrospect-backup |website=TechTarget |accessdate=26 June 2019 |date=25 June 2019 |quote=Retrospect's 20 full-time employees will join StorCentric, including CEO JG Heithcock. NAS vendor Drobo and HDD array maker Nexsan merged in 2018 to create StorCentric.}}</ref> which it will operate as an independent subsidiary while integrating a version of the software with Drobo hardware.<ref name="ChannelBuzzStoreCentricAcquiresRetrospect" />

== Small-group features ==
; Backup destinations : Termed Media Sets<ref group=note>Termed Backup Sets in the Windows variant; could have been referred to as ]s, except that Retrospect has long used the term Archive to refer to a backup operation that deletes data from a source drive once its backup is complete.</ref>—allow ] and may contain one or more disks<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> (or, in the Windows variant, one or more ]—termed "removable disks"<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" />), one or more tapes or WORM tapes<ref name="ApressEnterpriseMacSecurity">{{cite book |author1=Charles Edge |author2=William Barker |author3=Beau Hunter |author4=Gene Sullivan |title=Enterprise Mac Security: Mac OS X Snow Leopard |date=2010 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-2730-4 |pages=521-522 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x3jWs7735WgC&pg=PA521&lpg=PA521&dq=retrospect+backup+WORM+tape&source=bl&ots=JTAlt2rwV6&sig=ACfU3U3hxV8lxjeCIonbs7XfXHARdVSdAA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinx7XVw7zkAhUFpFkKHUQPD_E4FBDoATAAegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=retrospect%20backup%20WORM%20tape&f=false |accessdate=6 September 2019}}</ref>—with barcode reading/tracking<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" />, one or more CD/DVD discs,<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> or a single ]/] file<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> or ] account.<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> Except for older major versions<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> of the ],<ref name="RetrospectWindowsReleaseNotes" /><ref group=note>Activity threads are termed execution units in the Windows variant.</ref> the ] so that multiple scripts can simultaneously back up to or restore from different Media Sets.<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" />
; Backups : Do ];<ref name="KissellOnlineAppendixesBackupSoftware">{{cite web |last1=Kissell |first1=Joe |title=Take Control of Backing Up Your Mac: The Online Appendixes: Backup Software tab |url=https://joeontech.net/extras/buym/ |website=JoeOnTech |publisher=alt concepts inc. |accessdate=7 September 2019 |at=Software for Versioned Backups or Bootable Duplicates table(columns in Retrospect Desktop row), Notes below table, Feature Explanations for This Tab |date=22 January 2019}}</ref> do client-side file-level ];<ref name="MacworldRetrospect9" /> can be ],<ref name="CloudwardsBestOfflineBackupSoftware2019">{{cite web |last1=Vlajin |first1=Branko |title=Best Offline Backup Software 2019: Old School Rules |url=https://www.cloudwards.net/best-offline-backup-software/#four |website=Cloudwards |publisher=Cloudwards.net |accessdate=1 September 2019 |at=Using Retrospect |date=6 December 2018}}</ref> of subvolumes,<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0" /><ref group=note>To be used, a Subvolume must be ''specifically defined to the Retrospect application'' as a name for a ] folder, and is therefore currently termed a Favorite Folder in the Macintosh variant.</ref> ''may'' specify files to be excluded or included (subject to deduplication),<ref name="KissellOnlineAppendixesBackupSoftware" /><ref name=NoteSelectorsRules group=note>Exclusion and/or inclusion is done with Selectors in the Windows variant; this misleading term has been changed to Rules in the Macintosh variant.</ref>, ''may'' Archive data by deleting it from a source drive once it has been backed up.<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0" /> Optional ] include ],<ref name="TidBITSRetrospect1.3">{{cite web |last1=Engst |first1=Adam |title=Retrospect Comments |url=http://tidbits.com/article/3458 |website=TidBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=26 October 2016 |date=1 July 1991}}</ref> ] Media Sets and data transfers between a particular client computer and the server.<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> Moreover, volume-to-volume duplicates <ref group=note>The Duplicate operation is currently termed Copy in the Macintosh variant.</ref> of the latest versions of files in appropriate OS format can be made;<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0" /> these—unlike backups—can be onto ] tapes.<ref name="ChannelProRetrospect14/12">{{cite web |title=Latest Version of Retrospect Now Includes Scalable Data Protection |url=https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/latest-version-retrospect-now-includes-scalable-data-protection |website=ChannelPro Network |publisher=ChannelPro Network |accessdate=2 September 2019 |date=2017}}</ref>
; Data sources beyond the usual ]: Email accounts can be backed up—globally deduplicated<ref name="TitBITSMacintosh15.5">{{cite web |last1=Schmitz |first1=Agen |title=Retrospect 15.5 |url=https://tidbits.com/watchlist/retrospect-15-5/ |website=TitBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc |accessdate=28 September 2018 |date=7 September 2018}}</ref>—and restored,<ref name="TitBITSMacintosh15.0">{{cite web |last1=Schmitz |first1=Agen |title=Retrospect 15.0 |url=https://tidbits.com/article/17856 |website=TitBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=22 March 2018 |date=19 March 2018}}</ref> or directly migrated and synced,<ref name="TitBITSMacintosh15.1.1">{{cite web |last1=Schmitz |first1=Agen |title=Retrospect 15.1.1 |url=https://tidbits.com/watchlist/retrospect-15-1-1/ |website=TitBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=20 June 2018 |date=28 May 2018}}</ref> for major services supporting ].<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> ] devices are supported as sources for backup, copy/duplicate, archive, and restore scripts.<ref name="ChannelProRetrospect14/12" />
; ] of backups and ] : Comparing byte-by-byte or via ]; using saved MD5, can be a separate verification script run outside the scheduled ].<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> Volume-to-volume duplicates in OS format of the latest versions of files can—going beyond what can be done via OS—also be verified.<ref name="KissellTakeControl2.0" />
; Proactive scripts : Are usually left running at times that are ''not'' in the scheduled ], back up computers—frequently but not always mobile—transiently connecting to the network, determining backup priorities<ref name="MacworldRetrospect9" /> by an "AI" algorithm that uses a decision tree supplemented by linear regression.<ref name="RetrospectKnowledgeBase" /> They are an alternative to another application's window-cramming tape-only ] capability. As of 2019 Proactive scripts can use a Storage Group, which is automatically expanded as necessary with a Media Set for each source machine-volume, as a destination—enhancing opportunities for multithreading sources without manual ] bookkeeping.<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" />
; ] : With e-mailing of notifications about operations to chosen recipients; for Backup runs these are now ''customized'' to include a one-line summary at the top, a subject line that includes the script name and ''number'' of errors and warnings, and an e-mail body that consists of the script log—''pinpointing'' the errors and warnings.<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> Monitoring with "Retrospect for ]" is also available.<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" />
; Cloud Backup : Cloud Media Set type enables backup/restore/utility operations on data stored with ]-compatible cloud storage ''providers'' including ],<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> with Google ], and with ] B2.<ref name="CloudwardsBestOfflineBackupSoftware2019" /> ] is also available.<ref name="MacworldRetrospect9" />

== Enterprise client-server features ==

Retrospect also supports several ] features. These include:

; ] (especially of the backup server—which is now ] in all ]) : ]<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> that may incorporate file exclusion,<ref name="TheBackupBook: DisasterRecovery">{{cite book |author1=Dorian J. Cougias |author2=E. L. Heiberger |author3=Karsten Koop |title=The Backup Book: Disaster Recovery from Desktop to Data Center |date=2003 |publisher=SV Books |location=Lecanto FL |isbn=0-9729039-0-9 |pages=322-323, 360 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eLviiTag5A0C&pg=PA323&lpg=PA323&dq=Retrospect+%22file+exclusion%22&source=bl&ots=jVwLjjki_K&sig=ACfU3U0sXB_GaLBvaLfxQEvMT1pPTDH4IQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjR9v7V5MvkAhVQtlkKHeFpAsgQ6AEwBXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Retrospect%20%22file%20exclusion%22&f=false |accessdate=12 September 2019 |quote=It's nice to be able to say "Please exclude files ...." Of course Retrospect has this ability becaus of their selector process .... Retrospect Open File Backup Agent ....waits and looks for a period of inactivity on each of the volumes. }}</ref><ref name=NoteSelectorsRules group=note /> ],<ref name="ApressSnowLeopardServer">{{cite book |author1=Charles Edge |author2=Chris Barker |author3=Ehren Schwiebert |author4=Ken Barker |title=Beginning Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server: From Solo Install to Enterprise |date=2010 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-2772-4 |pages=551-552(grooming), 553(synthetic full backup via Copy Media Set) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DeO6a1LQvvsC&pg=PA552&lpg=PA552&dq=retrospect++grooming&source=bl&ots=NtlULUpmgf&sig=ACfU3U0fZJMri2hX2VwBNUE_oKhBiEU2NA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjcnfWGtL_kAhWP2FkKHXmKABA4ChDoATAMegQIBxAB#v=onepage&q=retrospect%20%20grooming&f=false |accessdate=7 September 2019}}</ref> ]<ref name="ApressSnowLeopardServer" /><ref name="TitBITSMacintosh13">{{cite web |last1=Schmitz |first1=Agen |title=Retrospect 13 |url=https://tidbits.com/article/16311 |website=TitBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=27 October 2016 |date=5 March 2016}}</ref> with ] exclusion rules,<ref name="RetrospectKnowledgeBase" /><ref name="TitBITSMacintosh15.1.1" /> ],<ref name="TitBITSMacintosh11">{{cite web |last1=Schmitz |first1=Agen |title=Retrospect 11 |url=https://tidbits.com/article/14573 |website=TitBITS |publisher=TidBITS Publishing Inc. |accessdate=27 April 2017 |date=6 March 2014}}</ref> and ].<ref name="TidBITSMac10" /><ref name="RetrospectKnowledgeBase" />
; ] : Backing up interactive applications, ].<ref name="ChannelProRetrospect14/12" /> Retrospect Virtual has the capability of ];<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> that separate product, with totally different code, is not discussed in this article.
; ] : ],<ref name="RetrospectMac14UG">{{cite web |title=Retrospect ® 14.0 Mac User's Guide |url=http://download.retrospect.com/docs/mac/v14/user_guide/Retrospect_Mac_User_Guide-EN.pdf |website=Retrospect |publisher=Retrospect Inc. |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=March 2017 |pages=8(Backblaze B2), 8-9(Script Hooks—backing up interactive applications with pausing and integration with monitoring system), 18-26(Overview of the Retrospect Console), 27-28(High-level Dashboard—high-level/medium-term reports), 29(How Retrospect Works—Smart Incremental), 31-33(Media Sets), 73(Adding network shares), 74-75(User-initiated backups and restores), 124-126(Archiving), 168-169(Email Preferences), 170-172(Rules), 217(Retrospect for iOS)}}</ref> ],<ref name="RetrospectMac14UG" /><ref name="TitBITSMacintosh15.0" /> ],<ref name="RetrospectMac14UG" /> ],<ref name="RetrospectMac14UG" />, and ].<ref name="RetrospectMac14UG" />
; ] : ]<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" />—which can be extended to "remote" clients anywhere on the Internet for ] and user-initiated backups/restores,<ref name="RetrospectKnowledgeBase" /> and facilitating reconfiguration for ].<ref name="ChannelProRetrospectCloudStorageSupport">{{cite web |title=Retrospect Announces Hybrid Data Protection with New Cloud Storage Support |url=https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/retrospect-announces-hybrid-data-protection-new-cloud-storage-support |website=ChannelPro Network |publisher=ChannelPro Network |accessdate=6 September 2019 |date=March 2016 |quote=Retrospect supports seeding options for the initial backup and large scale recovery for large restore scenarios.}}</ref>

== Editions and Add-Ons ==

Retrospect is sold with varying backup server capability levels, called "Editions", at non-expiring ] prices<ref name="TidBITSEMCShips" /> that cover one ]. The Edition is dictated<ref name="MacworldRetrospect9" /> by the number of "server OS" computers being backed up; it in turn specifies a maximum number of client computers. The Desktop Edition can be used where only desktop or mobile computers (or Linux servers<ref name="RetrospectWindowsReleaseNotes" />) are being backed up, non-] in older major versions, to non-tape devices or to one non-] tape drive. The Solo Edition "protects a single non-server computer and its external hard drives".<ref name="TitBITSMacintosh15.0" />

"Add-Ons", which activate additional backup server features via Edition-linked license codes, may also be purchased:
* agents<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" /> which back up Microsoft ] or Microsoft ] ] taken with ]
* non-Desktop-Edition protection of ] systems ] ], such as for continuously running ], ]<ref name="TheBackupBook: DisasterRecovery" /><ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" />
* backing up to multiple single ] simultaneously or to a multiple-drive ]
* extending the ] Emergency Recovery CD to adjust Windows ] ]<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" />
* backing up and restoring more client computers than the maximum the chosen Edition specifies
* upgraded Web-based Management Console to allow deployment of shared scripts and aggregation-drilldown within organizations<ref name="ITProRetrospectBackup16Review" />


== See also == == See also ==
* ]<ref name=InfoWorldAppleBundlesTapeBackupWithRetrospect /> * ]<ref name=InfoWorldAppleBundlesTapeBackupWithRetrospect />

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}


== References == == References ==
Line 58: Line 36:
* {{Official website}} * {{Official website}}


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Latest revision as of 12:39, 17 December 2024

Data backup software for the SME market

For other uses, see Retrospect (disambiguation).
Retrospect
[REDACTED]
Developer(s)Dantz Development Corporation
Initial release1989
Operating systemmacOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows
TypeBackup
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.retrospect.com

Retrospect is a family of software applications that back up computers running the macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux (and until 2019 classic Mac OS) operating systems. It uses the client–server backup model.

The product is focused on the small and medium enterprise (SME) market. It performs three types of backup: "A Recycle backup deletes a backup set and adds all files, and a New Media backup creates a new backup set, copying all the files not included. Again this represents all files. Once installed, scripts can also be introduced to enable Scheduled backup using predetermined information supplied by the administrator. This information contains source, destination and other criteria, which enables a backup session to scan and back up one volume at a time, requiring less memory than an immediate backup."

The product is used for GUI-scripted backup.

History

The software was first developed by Dantz Development Corporation in 1989, initially for the Macintosh platform and continuing later for Windows. With sales split evenly between the two variants and the Macintosh variant claiming 90% of its market, Dantz Development Corporation was acquired by EMC Corporation in 2004. In 2006 version 7.5, the refined first release of the Windows variant under EMC, added performance features needed by SMEs.

Acquisition by EMC, under its Insignia brand, led to the product being briefly mothballed when Insignia was shut down in 2007. It was revived in 2008 and transferred to EMC's new acquisition Iomega. A "premature" release of Retrospect 8 in 2009 undermined its market after Apple introduced its competing Time Machine in late 2007. In 2010, Retrospect was sold to Roxio, owned by Sonic Solutions, which was then in turn acquired by Rovi. Rovi decided that it was not a core business, but a team who had worked on the product approached Rovi with the idea of spinning out as a separate company. Retrospect, Inc. was formed by a core team most of whom had worked on the product for ten years or more. Retrospect 9 was introduced in 2012, to positive reviews.

In June 2019 the holding company StorCentric—which also owns Drobo—announced that it had acquired Retrospect Inc., which it will operate as an wholly owned independent subsidiary.

After the 2023 bankruptcy of StorCentric, Retrospect was spun off into a separate company owned by Serene Investment Management, a private equity company which had a financial link to StorCentric.

See also

References

  1. Kissell, Joe (2007). Take Control of Mac OS X Backups (PDF) (Version 2.0 ed.). Ithaca, NY: TidBITS Electronic Publishing. pp. 18-20 ("The Archive", meaning information repository, including versioning), 24 (client-server), 82-83 (archive file), 126-141 (old Retrospect terminology and GUI—still used in Windows variant), 127 (Archiving operation in Retrospect), 128 (subvolume—later renamed Favorite Folder in Macintosh variant), 130-132 (Duplicate—later renamed Copy in Macintosh variant), 146(versioning), 165 (client-server). ISBN 978-0-9759503-0-2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  2. "Retrospect Backup Multi Server Product Review". Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  3. Gripman, Stuart (27 March 2012). "Retrospect 9.0: powerful backup for professionals, organizations". MacWorld. Setting it up(WebDAV), Scheduling scripts(GUI scripting), Restoring(file-level deduplication, Proactive priorities). Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  4. ^ Flynn, Laurie (25 September 1989). "Apple Bundles Tape Backup With Retrospect Software". InfoWorld. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. p. 33. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2019. ...will bundle Dantz Development Corp.s Retrospect backup and archiving software with the Apple Tape Backup 40SC...
  5. Engst, Adam (1 July 1991). "Retrospect Conclusion". TidBITS. TidBITS Publishing Inc. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  6. Mitchell, Dave (24 July 2019). "Retrospect Backup 16 review: Virtually useless for virtual machines". ITPro. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  7. ^ DeLong, Derik (27 March 2012). "Retrospect's long and twisted road". MacWorld. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  8. Mitchell, Dave (20 April 2006). "EMC Retrospect 7.5 review". Alphr. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  9. Engst, Adam (18 June 2010). "Retrospect Backup Software Acquired by Sonic". TidBITS. TidBITS Publishing Inc. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  10. "Retrospect 9.0: powerful backup for professionals, organizations". Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  11. Gallagher, Emily (25 June 2019). "StorCentric Acquires Retrospect, Inc. to Offer Enhanced Backup and Recovery Software Solutions". Retrospect. Retrospect Inc. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  12. "A Letter from the CEO". 28 June 2023.

External links

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