Existing users, 
 BRU Server - 2.0Client/server backup & restore system. |
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Feedback Summary:
| This Version: | |||||
| Overall Rating: | Not rated (0.0) | Features: | Not rated (0.0) | Support: | Not rated (0.0) |
| Ease of Use: | Not rated (0.0) | Quality / Stability: | Not rated (0.0) | Price: | Not rated (0.0) |
Key to Types of Feedback:
Reviews 
Troubleshooting 
Usage Tips 
Developer Notes 
Commentary 
Featured Reviews
Not a happy user! - Version: 1.2.0m, 5/8/2007 11:39AM PST
(2 of 4 users found this comment useful)
SEReubart
I'm sure this product is fine on UNIX systems, where everything is done via the command line and portable computers don't exist. But in a Mac environment with laptops, this thing is USELESS. I have been trying to get it to work for more than a year!
It can only back up machines by IP address, so if you have anything that gets its address via DHCP--like laptops--you can't schedule a backup for it. Yes, they released a patch so that a client can inform the server of its current IP address at startup, but the server CANNOT automatically initiate a backup of that machine. There was supposed to be a fix for this released last fall, but so far, nothing.
The user interface is horrible. In the main part of it, clicking on anything can accidentally change your settings so that backups for some machines are no longer scheduled. As a result I have to monitor it constantly to make sure everything has backed up correctly.
While they tell you it will run on an Intel processor, they don't mention that it has to run under Rosetta.Since it's a background task that's always running, it slows down the whole computer.
The company had a forum, but they recently shut it down. I think they just don't want anyone to see all of the complaints.
After several weeks of trying to get it to work reliably, we asked for our money back. The president of the company talked us into waiting for the next version, which was supposed to be out soon. That was last June, almost a year ago.
Even though we purchased an extended support plan, and they are supposed to respond within 48 hours, I often got no reply at all when asking questions.
Recently I got an e-mail asking me to renew our support plan. I think you know what my response would be.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! Unfortunately there aren't a lot of alternatives, since Retrospect seems to be sinking fast...
It can only back up machines by IP address, so if you have anything that gets its address via DHCP--like laptops--you can't schedule a backup for it. Yes, they released a patch so that a client can inform the server of its current IP address at startup, but the server CANNOT automatically initiate a backup of that machine. There was supposed to be a fix for this released last fall, but so far, nothing.
The user interface is horrible. In the main part of it, clicking on anything can accidentally change your settings so that backups for some machines are no longer scheduled. As a result I have to monitor it constantly to make sure everything has backed up correctly.
While they tell you it will run on an Intel processor, they don't mention that it has to run under Rosetta.Since it's a background task that's always running, it slows down the whole computer.
The company had a forum, but they recently shut it down. I think they just don't want anyone to see all of the complaints.
After several weeks of trying to get it to work reliably, we asked for our money back. The president of the company talked us into waiting for the next version, which was supposed to be out soon. That was last June, almost a year ago.
Even though we purchased an extended support plan, and they are supposed to respond within 48 hours, I often got no reply at all when asking questions.
Recently I got an e-mail asking me to renew our support plan. I think you know what my response would be.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! Unfortunately there aren't a lot of alternatives, since Retrospect seems to be sinking fast...
Most Recent Replies: View All 3 Replies
- Not a happy user!
Worst customer support and very average software for the price - Version: 1.2.0m, 5/7/2007 02:48AM PST
(1 of 4 users found this comment useful)
nolloth1
This is my usage tip. Steer well clear of this, unless you like throwing your money down the toilet.
Most Recent Replies: View All 1 Replies
Now Excellent... 
- Version: 1.2.0j, 10/26/2006 01:55AM PST
(2 of 2 users found this comment useful)
macaholic
I am now very happy with BRU. Support is excellent, from local reseller and from TolisGroup. However, quicker development (planned updates) would be good.
Not for 10.4.6 PPC - Version: 1.2.0f, 5/19/2006 07:24AM PST
macaholic
Seems that the "BRU Server Console.app" which used to run fine (under 10.3.9 PBook G4) to check the status of a backup (running on headless Xserve), now won't run under 10.4.6.
Product does not work well, support not good. - Version: 1.2.0f, 5/10/2006 11:21AM PST
(2 of 3 users found this comment useful)
srgross
I have been trying to get this program to work for a couple of months now with our Exabyte packet loader. I have been through three updates (all done because of technical issues on the Tolis side) and still no joy.
We paid $300 for the good technical support, and it takes usually two days to get a response, even if we are not getting a back up.
Suuport leaves a lot to be desired with this company, as does the product.
We paid $300 for the good technical support, and it takes usually two days to get a response, even if we are not getting a back up.
Suuport leaves a lot to be desired with this company, as does the product.
Most Recent Replies: View All 1 Replies
Damn fine - Version: 1.2.0f, 12/15/2005 02:25AM PST
(2 of 2 users found this comment useful)
no7
BRU server is soo much better than retrospect, I'm seeing backup speeds of around 1GB/min.
Configuration is excellent, installation is excellent (especially if you use ARD)
and I have found the support to be very helpful on each occasion.
BRU is still a young product for the Mac and its evolving...
I trust BRU to backup my Xserve and desktops, thats is what matters.
Try it.. the demo is unrestricted...
Configuration is excellent, installation is excellent (especially if you use ARD)
and I have found the support to be very helpful on each occasion.
BRU is still a young product for the Mac and its evolving...
I trust BRU to backup my Xserve and desktops, thats is what matters.
Try it.. the demo is unrestricted...
Interface - Ugh! - Version: 1.1, 5/4/2005 11:33PM PST
Online Since 1987
Guys, this thing works very well, indeed. But you've got to get the interface into the 23rd century.
The three-part application situation is a little eggheaded, too. How about I run one application to do everything?
Looking forward to deleting Retrospect.
The three-part application situation is a little eggheaded, too. How about I run one application to do everything?
Looking forward to deleting Retrospect.
This is it... - Version: 1.1, 12/15/2004 05:44AM PST
(3 of 3 users found this comment useful)
Ruben van der Laan
Finally, the GUI is now very good, I believe it finally is a product that has grown up. We backup 300 GB per night disk to disk and tape that on a Sony Super AIT during the day, next to that we backup some smaller critical servers and do that simultaniously (!) on diffrent FW tape drives. The performance over a Gb network is 1 GB per minute including the verify, so the disk to disk takes only 3 hours, what? yes! 4 servers simultaniously disk to disk and we got logs to prove it! Very happy with this product, more happy now because of the improved GUI. Way to go!
There are excellent enterprise backup solutions in the OS X market now, notably NetVault from Bakbone and Time Navigator from Atempo. Be sure to check them out.
By all means, test BRU as a low-priced alternative if you like, but be sure that you put it through its paces: don't just test backups, but also test restores, and do a series of tests over a few days, not just a one-shot test. You're dealing with the safety of your data, and backup operations tend to to just roll along once they're configured and started, so the inability to restore is absolutely huge.
If you select BRU and begin to use it successfully, be sure to implement a regular (monthly or more often) testing regimen to ensure that your backed up data can be properly restored.