Windows Server - AntiVirus solutions for SBS2008 standard.

Asked By Tom Scott

22-Jan-10 11:05 AM

Currently using AVG 9 Email Server edition (file server and exchange),
but regrettably it is not being recognised by SBS reporting, and
current status reports are a sea of red errors re anti-virus.

AVG sales had originally recommended AVG Business Edition (despite
pointed questioning re suitability for SBS), but after spending hours
getting reports for AVG support we were advised that the Business
edition was the wrong edition and we needed the email server edition.

There is no direct integration with SBS2008 reporting and I am loath to
go through the next round of information gathering for AVG support, on
what clearly is an unsupported antivirus platform for SBS2008.

I might add that this is not the case with SBS2003.

I have discussed this with the client, and at this point, we are both
agreed that dumping AVG is the best.

Appreciate any advice as to what is a decent a/v solution that
integrates with SBS2008 reporting.

22-Jan-10 12:01 PM

Although Some are not liking Trend WFBS 6.0 Advanced because of the
SMARTScan
and other issues I still Like it.

(I disable SmartScan and Go to Conventional, I also do not use the Browser
toolbar.)

However that being said I still love it because of all it is features and
ease of installation
and configuration settings done with a web admin console.

Trend WFBS 6.0 will Integrate with the SBS2008 Console and reporting.

Provide:
SPAM Malware, and attachment blocking and content filter on Exchange
Desktop and Server AV and Malware scanning
Monitor changes in Programs dll's etc for suspicious changes
Provide in and out of office rules if you wish for laptops
provide desktop specific rules including web filtering (Biz hours vs non biz
hours)
(I use OpenDNS for Filtering Global and then Trend for Web Filtering on
specific desktop.)

It takes me about 2.5hrs to install and configure.
I am a Trend Partner as are many here.

If you do switch to Trend make sure you get a competitive upgrade discount
price.
(Going through a Partner, you should get a cheaper price than on Trends
site.)

So if you switch to Conventional Scan on trend (no SmartScan) and not use
the browser toolbar
I think you will like it. Feel free to contact me if you wish.
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
World Wide 24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com

22-Jan-10 12:50 PM

A bit off topic - but as you mentioned Smart Scan ......

it is actually an idea with merit, but depends entirely on your topology.

Smart Scan allows the cpu cycles required for scanning to be entirely
off-loaded from clients to the security server. Now, when the SBS is the
security server, this probably is not a great idea ;-).

The Trend Security server does not have to be your SBS, it can be installed
on any computer on the network. And *that* computer can be the smart scan
server, doing all the grunt work and saving all those cpu cycles on
workstations (and the sbs).

That can make sense.

--
-----------------------------------------------
Les Connor [SBS MVP]

22-Jan-10 01:12 PM

True,
I guess I have never put it on another box other than the SBS box.
Which is why I turn smartscan off :)

Les, do you deploy WFBS on another box all the time now?
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
World Wide 24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com

22-Jan-10 01:15 PM

No, but I am thinking of giving it a go.

--
-----------------------------------------------
Les Connor [SBS MVP]

22-Jan-10 01:20 PM

it is a good thought now that Old XP Pro Boxes will be laying around doing
nothing
now that people will actually buy a new OS :0
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
World Wide 24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com

22-Jan-10 01:25 PM

Les, do you think Home server with usually a Low power CPU would be ok for
this?
or Too TAXING ON it?

I will write to the group and see if anyone has tried it.
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
World Wide 24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com

22-Jan-10 01:31 PM

I would not attempt it personally, the WHS has an important enough job
already.

BTW, the HP Datavault have more ram and pentium.

--
-----------------------------------------------
Les Connor [SBS MVP]

22-Jan-10 01:41 PM

I'd have to agree because some of the WHS have the Atom Chips
But it is an interesting Idea for DataVaults.

Things that make you go Hmmmmm......?

Well There should be plenty of Old PC's by the end of this year laying
around
Thanks for the idea
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
World Wide 24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com

22-Jan-10 10:50 PM

Keep in mind that Trend recommends the scan server have at least a dual-core
CPU, one GB of memory, and ? GHz!

Gregg

--
Gregg's pet peeves:

First of all, what does a peeve look like, and why would anyone want one as
a pet?

Peeve #1: Apostrophes: when in doubt, leave them out! You will be correct
more often than not.

Its = Belonging to it. For example, "Look at the sky. Its color is blue."
it is = It is. For example, "it is hot today."
it is = It has. For example, "it is been nice talking to you."
Its' = completely incorrect usage. Stop it!


Peeve #2: Your vs. You're
me for this peeve!

23-Jan-10 09:26 AM

Thanks Russ, definitely interested,  I have written to you via your
website.

Appreciate if you could let me know on Monday.

Thanks,

Tom

23-Jan-10 01:02 PM

I do not see a email from you but I am at
russ AT sbits.biz

Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com