Long-time Mac backup software maker Dantz Development Corp. today announced that its Retrospect Backup software will support Mac OS X. The new software, called Retrospect Clients for Mac OS X, will be available on April 13. With Retrospect Clients, Mac OS X-equipped systems will be able to backed up over a TCP/IP network to a Mac running Retrospect 4.3. The Mac running Retrospect 4.3 will still need to be equipped with Mac OS 8 or 9, however.
Retrospect Clients for Mac OS X is a Cocoa application that uses Mac OS X’s Mach engine for increased performance, according to Dantz. The software will back up all Mac OS X-specific data, including UNIX file and folder permissions, owner and group privileges, and symbolic links.
Dantz advised that the Retrospect Clients for Mac OS X will be offered first as an unsupported public beta, for download from Dantz’s Web site. Dantz will host an e-mail list for users of the beta, as well.
Dantz explained that Macs running the Retrospect Clients software may be added to new or existing Retrospect Backup installations provided that there are client licenses available.
Dantz CTO Richard Zulch says that his company’s customers are enthusiastic both about OS X and using Retrospect. “They understand that backup software is an absolute necessity. Our Retrospect Clients software for Mac OS X gives early adopters a reliable option,” said Zulch.
Still missing is a Mac OS X-compatible version of the full Retrospect application, however. Dantz said that it’s coming, however.
“Dantz is working closely with Apple to deliver a Mac OS X update to the Retrospect Backup application later this year,” said the company.