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  • Page 1 User Manual Avira Security Management Center www.avira.com...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    6.2 Managing the Software Packs ....................58 6.2.1.Adding and Deleting a Software Pack ................58 6.2.2.Installing and Uninstalling a Software Pack ..............60 6.2.3.Changing the Configuration of an Avira Product............62 6.3 Creating Filtered Computer Groups ..................63 6.4 Displaying Information about a Computer or Group ............66 6.4.1.Displaying Information about a Node/Computer ............66...
  • Page 3 8.3 Backup SMC Server Files ......................95 8.4 MMC Error when Installing SMC Agent................. 95 8.5 Software Pack IDs ........................96 9. Products Supported by Avira SMC ..........97 9.1 Supported Avira Products ....................... 97 9.2 Product-specific Configuration Panels ................... 97 10.
  • Page 4: About This Manual

    Signs and Symbols – Page 6 Introduction In this manual, we have included all the information you need on Avira Security Management Center. For further information and assistance, please refer to our website, to our Technical Support hotline and to our regular Newsletter (see Service –...
  • Page 5: Signs And Symbols

    About this Manual Chapter Contents 8 Troubleshooting Workarounds and solutions for Avira SMC. 9 Products Supported by Avira Avira products, supported by Avira SMC. 10 Service Avira GmbH Support and Service. Signs and Symbols The following signs and symbols appear in this manual:...
  • Page 6: Abbreviations

    (a protocol for dynamic allocation of the host IP address) Graphical User Interface Avira Internet Update Manager Microsoft Management Console NTLM NT LAN Manager (a Microsoft authentication protocol for remote access). Avira Security Management Center Secure Socket Layer TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 7 About this Manual Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 8: Product Information

    Product Information Product Information Avira Security Management Center (Avira SMC) is used for remote installation and management of Avira products via the network. Components Avira SMC consists of three components: and Services SMC Server , which runs on a central network server with three services: –...
  • Page 9: Functions

    SMC Server to Avira products on the computers. The SMC Agent can send events and notifications about the Avira products to the SMC Server, to be displayed on the SMC Frontend. The SMC Frontend is a snap-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and it integrates the components, services and functions in a graphical user interface and displays the entire information.
  • Page 10: Features

    Product Information Features Avira SMC can manage and monitor all computers in the Security Environment of the company's network (Windows and Linux desktops and servers). Consequently, the computers are integrated into the Security Environment under a customized tree structure, arranged in hierarchical groups.
  • Page 11: Licensing

    Licensing The licensing process consists of two steps: acquiring the license and activating it after you install Avira SMC. Usually you receive an SMC license file by email when you buy Avira products and purchase Avira SMC. When installing SMC Agents on network computers, the license is checked: for example, if you have a license for 500 Clients, you can add up to 500 computers in the Security Environment.
  • Page 12: Installation

    Important Information on Installation Before installation Usually you will install Avira SMC with the services on a central Windows network server and the SMC Frontend user interface on a computer in the network on which you can manage the Avira SMC as administrator. You can also install both components on the same computer.
  • Page 13: Performing Installation

    The ports required by SMC Server must be opened (in the firewall if necessary) and they must not be used by other applications. Download the current version of Avira SMC as a .zip archive from the Avira website (http://www.avira.com) and extract it to a local directory.
  • Page 14 Reuse account of SMC-Server service as SMC user account and enter the SMC-User and SMC-Password , or else, just leave the option activated and click Next . Then you can configure the update scheduler. Make the settings and click Next . Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 15: Installing Smc Frontend

    The dialog window for completing installation appears. Click Install . SMC Frontend is installed. Click Finish . In the Windows Start menu, the program group Avira/ Avira Security Management Center will appear with the Management Center Frontend entry. Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 16: Avira Smc Frontend

    Avira SMC Frontend Avira SMC Frontend You can manage the services and components of Avira SMC using the SMC Frontend (graphical user interface), which has been developed as an MMC snap-in. The MMC appearance, structure and menu options may vary according to your operating system.
  • Page 17 Avira SMC Frontend Connecting to SMC Server Click on Avira Security Management Center Frontend . The SMC Frontend initiates connection to the SMC Server. The Login window appears: Select Local Computer, if SMC Frontend is installed on the same computer as the SMC Server, or select Remote computer and use the Browse button to select the server.
  • Page 18: Licensing Avira Smc

    Frontend and Connecting to SMC Server – Page 17). The MMC with the Avira SMC snap-in will appear and you will see the panel named Avira Security Management Center in the console root. Right-click on Avira Security Management Center Frontend and select License .
  • Page 19 Click New License and enter the path to the license file. Select the license file (for example hbedv.key ) and confirm with OK . The license file is read and the license window appears: Licensing is complete. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 20: Smc Frontend User Interface

    - Avira software in the Software Repository - Avira software installed on computers in the Security Environment. After you login to Avira SMC, you should see the main window. Avira SMC manages users with various access rights. Consequently, the SMC Frontend may display limited features.
  • Page 21 Reports View of report templates and reports created for the computers. Configurations General configuration dialogs for Avira SMC and for its services: Server, Internet Update Manager, Alert Manager. User List of all managed users. Here you can create, delete or modify SMC users.
  • Page 22 Product version : Displays products’ names and version numbers. Error messages : Displays errors issued by Avira products on a computer (with details of product name, error status and message). Events : Displays the events reported by Avira products on the computer.
  • Page 23 Avira SMC Frontend Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 24: Configuration

    – Page 33 You can make settings for SMC Server services if required: Configuring Avira SMC – Page 40 In addition you can easily update Avira SMC via the Internet when updates are available. Updating Avira SMC – Page 48 Creating a Server Update Task –...
  • Page 25: Configuring Network And Smc Server Connections

    SMC Server (see 5.7 User Management) Configuring the Connection Right-click the Avira Security Management Center Frontend node and select Settings . The Settings window appears: Enter the required information in the fields of the Administrator Account tab and save them.
  • Page 26: Setting The Security Environment

    Configuration Setting the Security Environment In the Security Environment , Avira SMC uses so-called virtual groups of computers in order to perform installation, configuration and monitoring tasks. Only computers integrated into the Security Environment can be managed with Avira SMC.
  • Page 27 The tasks are executed as soon as the Agent performs synchronization. Virtual computer group/ sub-group. Filtered security environment and filter sub-groups. Avira SMC tries to establish a connection or is running a command. Computer or group error. Computer/ group warning or hint. Agent installed on the computer.
  • Page 28 Server when connected to the network. In the Security Environment, click on New Computers . You will see the new computers available with installed SMC Agents. Add the required computers to other groups in Security Environment as described above. Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 29 Right-click on Security Environment and select Import . Select Network neighbourhood as Synchronization source and press Next. The computers list from the neighborhood is displayed. Set the list of Computers to be added and Computers to be removed. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 30 Press Next to import the computers in the Security Environment . In order for the import to work, the ADS communication ports must be open (see Prerequisites for ADS import – Page 94). Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 31 The new name is saved and displayed. Deleting Virtual Groups/Computers If you are sure there are no Avira products installed on those computers, right- click the group or the computer and select Delete . The group/computer will be deleted from the Security Environment.
  • Page 32: Installing Smc Agents In The Security Environment

    To install SMC Agents in the Security Environment, you require administrator rights on all computers. Please make sure you keep all SMC components and Avira products up to date, in order to ensure effective communication between them over the Security Environment.
  • Page 33: Installing Smc Agent Through Smc Frontend (Windows 2000/ Xp Professional/ Vista/ Unix)

    The computers or groups with the status icons will appear in the Details panel. Right-click the group and select Installation/Avira SMC Agent/Install . You will see the Administrator Account window: Fill in the Username and Password for the administrator account, if you use another administrator account on the client computer, or activate the option Use the server’s current account .
  • Page 34: Installing Smc Agent Manually (Win Xp Home Edition, Optional: Windows 2000/ Xp Professional/ Vista)

    A window for unzipping and installation is displayed. Click Setup . The installation file is unzipped. InstallShield Wizard appears. Click Next . You will see the License Agreement . Select I accept... and click Next . Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 35 If necessary, select another destination for the installation and click Next . You will see the Ready to install window. Click Install . The SMC Agent will be installed and then the final window appears. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 36: Silent Agent Setup On Windows

    Agents will be installed without any further user interaction. Make sure the client computers have access to the shared directory, where SMC Server keeps the SMC Agent setup file (default: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avira\Avira Security Management Center Server\Agent\installagent.bat ). See Before installation –...
  • Page 37: Installing Smc Agent Manually (Optional For Unix Systems)

    Agent’s communication with the SMC Server. The following message appears: Starting Security Management Center UNIX Agent installation. Before installing, you will see the License agreement. Press y or Enter , after you read the text.
  • Page 38: Uninstalling Smc Agent

    5.4.5 Uninstalling SMC Agent If you uninstall SMC Agent from a computer, the Avira products installed on that computer can no longer be managed by Avira SMC. We recommend that you uninstall SMC Agent from a computer only after it has been removed from the Security Environment and all Avira products have been uninstalled.
  • Page 39: Configuring Avira Smc

    Manager and Alert Manager as well as the SMC Agent client service. All services are automatically configured when Avira SMC is installed. The default configuration of the services and the configuration made during Avira SMC installation on the server are optimized for the current network.
  • Page 40: Configuration Options Of Avira Smc Components

    . It is recommended to configure the SMC Agents starting from the root node, Security Environment (right-click on the node and choose Configuration/Avira SMC Agent/Configure , as described further in this Chapter). All the computers in the group will inherit the settings. Then you can make changes for certain computers or sub-groups (if you deactivate the option Inherit configuration) : the computer will overwrite the settings inherited from the root.
  • Page 41 Server connect interval, in minutes, when the Pull mechanism is active. Default is Signal Error on When activated, the agent signals every critical event to the Server, which will critical event display an error state for the affected computer. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 42 HTTP address and communication port on which the Update service is installed. Update URL Use client Activation of SSL authentication for computer login. authentication SSL Password Password for SSL certificates (change it only if you use another certificate). General Configuration Settings Communication related settings Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 43 Display agent When this option is activated, the context menu of Security Environment or synchronization computer groups will have an additional command: Force agent synchronization . command Push and Pull Mechanisms – Page 75. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 44 Update Server list List of update servers, from which the IUM is retrieving the update packages (default: Avira download servers). Root directory for updated files: the directory, which mirrors the Avira update Root directory... server, on the SMC Server computer.
  • Page 45 Password for SSL certificates (change it only if you use another certificate). In case of NTLM authentication, when using for example an ISA Server with "Integrating Authentication" as proxy, you have to specify the domain or group of the ISA Server. Example: WORKGROUP\Administrator . Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 46 The Alert Manager is a component of the Event Manager service. The events sent by the Avira products to the Event Manager via the network (such as a virus alert) can be transmitted by the Alert Manager directly to an email address or via Netsend as a message window to a computer.
  • Page 47: Updating Avira Smc

    You can easily update Avira SMC’s components: SMC Frontend, SMC Server with all its services and the SMC Agents. Avira SMC has an Internet connection to the Avira GmbH public servers and is able to download and install available SMC updates.
  • Page 48 Confirm with Yes and close SMC Frontend if necessary. The connection to the SMC Server will be interrupted. The Avira SMC connects to the Internet, downloads the update files from the Avira GmbH server and installs them. Restart SMC Frontend and connect to SMC Server (see...
  • Page 49: Displaying And Changing Update Tasks For Smc Server

    Avira SMC Agent/Start update . To update SMC Agents on a certain computer: Right-click the Avira SMC Agent under the computer node in the Security Environment and select Commands/Start update . The SMC Agent update can also be scheduled, by pressing the button Schedule this command in the Commands window.
  • Page 50 The new user appears in the Details panel. Configure User Account The following settings are available for every user account: • password: type the login password of the user to Avira SMC • properties: enter user name, complete name, description and email address •...
  • Page 51 The access to the user account is now password-protected. Configure Right-click a user icon in User Management and select Properties . properties and The window Properties of [Name] appears. rights Make the changes to the user properties. Click on the Permissions tab. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 52 The following rights are available for every group or user: • browse • create/delete groups • add/delete computers • deploy/uninstall/configure agents • install/uninstall/configure products • send commands • manage server tasks • generate reports • manage group permissions • receive product status emails Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 53 You can configure the users and their rights for every node. When settings are Manage users inherited from superior nodes, parts of the window are gray (inactive). If necessary, deactivate the option Use parent settings . Click on Manage users . The Users window appears. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 54 The users are added in/removed from the Selected users area. Use Parent In order to inherit the settings from its superior node: select the option Use Settings parent settings . The settings for users and rights are inherited. Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 55 Configuration Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 56: Operation

    Environment: Sharing Files/ Licenses/ Programs in the Security Environment – Page 83 Register all Avira SMC actions in logfiles (optional). In this way it is easier, for example, to identify software installation errors in the network: Handling Errors – Page 86...
  • Page 57: Managing The Software Packs

    For example, an Avira product is stored in the Software Repository directory: Avira AntiVir Professional 9 (Windows), EN . A software pack consists of all program files of the Avira product and an info file, all archived in a self-extracting file and saved to Avira SMC database.
  • Page 58 Operation Adding a Software Pack The Avira product must be saved on a computer in the local network. Right-click Software Repository and select New/Software . The window for Selecting the Software Package opens. Select the path to the software pack and click Open .
  • Page 59: Installing And Uninstalling A Software Pack

    Agent performs the synchronization. The computers will have the status for pending operations : red marker on the left side and/or orange arrow. The installation of software packs also implies the configuration of Avira products. The configuration of installed Avira products requires good knowledge of configuration parameters.
  • Page 60 Select Installation/[software name]/Install . An Install window is displayed, with program-specific dialogs and messages. The options are similar to those in the installation dialogs of every Avira product. To modify the install settings of the Avira product, disable the option Inherit configuration , make the changes and click OK .
  • Page 61: Changing The Configuration Of An Avira Product

    Inherit configuration. It is recommended to configure the Avira products starting from the root node Security Environment . All the computers in the group will inherit the settings. Then you can make changes for certain computers or sub-groups (if you deactivate the option Inherit configuration ): the computer will overwrite the settings inherited from the root.
  • Page 62: Creating Filtered Computer Groups

    When installing and configuring a software pack on a computer in the Security Environment, a product-specific configuration panel appears. The settings available in this window are similar to the configuration options available for that Avira product. For further details on configuration parameters, please refer to the Avira product documentation.
  • Page 63 Type the name of the filtered group you want to create (for example errors ) and press Next. The Filter type window appears. Error states Select the first filter type, if you want to create a sub-group with all computers reporting an error, and press Finish. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 64 The sub-group appears under Filtered security environment node. Product not Select the third filter type, if you want to create a sub-group with all computers installed on which a specific product is not installed, and press Next. Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 65: Displaying Information About A Computer Or Group

    • Computer amount in group : number of computers in the group. • Available : the number of computers currently connected to the Avira SMC. • Product and count : name and number of the products installed in the group.
  • Page 66: Displaying Information In The Details Panel

    The Computer properties window appears: 6.4.2 Displaying Information in the Details panel Avira SMC stores various information on every computer or group in the Security Environment, which you can display and also sort in the Details panel. When selecting a computer, the right-click menu as well as the toolbar offer various view modes: for a group: Status , Error messages, Tasks and Pending operations.
  • Page 67 Configuration The date and time of the last Agent registration. Last notification If you select a computer in the Security Environment, the Product Status view displays details about: product name, product state, status details. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 68 Operation The Status View for the Filtered security environment: Product Version View This will display information on all modules of Avira programs installed on the computer: Module name List of installed Avira products on the computer. Module version File version information.
  • Page 69 Events View Every Avira product on a computer will issue product-specific events, which the SMC Agent retrieves and saves: Computer The name of the computer on which the event has been reported by the Avira name product. Level Avira products assign a level to every event (degree of importance), such as Critical, Warning or Info.
  • Page 70 Pending Operations View There are product-specific commands for every Avira product (for example, scanning or updating), which can be scheduled as regular tasks using Avira SMC. If the task cannot be performed because the computers are offline, or because the Agent uses the pull mechanism, SMC saves the command or task as a pending operation .
  • Page 71 If errors occur during installation, configuration or uninstallation of software packs, or during Avira product actions on computers in the Security Environment, or when executing tasks and commands, Avira SMC can display the logfiles of Avira products and those of the SMC services in the SMC Frontend.
  • Page 72: Viewing Events

    Operation Viewing Events Every Avira product triggers specific events, which are collected by Avira SMC and displayed in SMC Frontend. First, the SMC Agent collects the events issued by Avira products and saves them to the local database. Then you can see these events in the SMC Frontend:...
  • Page 73 Filter/Product menu; String : only displays the events containing a given string. The Events node shows the events received by SMC Agent from the Avira products in the Security Environment, for example events produced by virus scanning.
  • Page 74: Performing Commands And Planning Tasks

    Operation Performing Commands and Planning Tasks For every Avira product there are various ways of performing actions such as scan and update, using specific parameters or schedules. You can configure, activate and plan these actions using Avira SMC for computers and groups in the Security Environment.
  • Page 75 Planning Tasks All available commands can be scheduled for a certain time. Such a scheduled command in Avira SMC is called a task. Computers/groups must be integrated into the Security Environment and the status must be: green monitor, green arrow.
  • Page 76 The window with time and date settings appears: Select the start time and date and click Finish . The task is set and displayed in the Details panel of the computer/group (see Tasks View – Page 70). Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 77 Displaying Tasks for Software Packs or for SMC Server Scheduled tasks for updating SMC Server components or software packs appear in the Events node of Avira Security Management Center Frontend . Right-click Avira Security Management Center Frontend and select Start update/Show tasks .
  • Page 78: Creating And Listing Reports

    You can create reports on single computers/groups in the Security Environment using SMC Agent. First you should create a report template for a certain report type. Avira SMC supports all report types accepted by the Avira products installed in the Security Environment: •...
  • Page 79 The selected reporting time interval. Creating Report Templates Computers/groups must be integrated into the Security Environment and the status must be: green monitor, green arrow. Right-click on the computer/group and select Create report . Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 80 Activate the option Schedule report , enter a start date and time and the report frequency. Click Finish . The report template is created. The report is either run immediately or scheduled periodically and is displayed in the Reports node. Avira GmbH Avira Security Management Center...
  • Page 81 You will see the reports created, with beginning and end date/time Right-click on the required report in the console tree and select List or HTML . The report is listed as the outcome of the Reports node (example: List). Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 82: Sharing Files/ Licenses/ Programs In The Security Environment

    Operation Printing Reports Avira SMC structures the reports as HTML pages using an HTML editor provided with your operating system (e.g. Microsoft Word or Microsoft Internet Explorer). Select a report in the HTML view, as in the above section. Right-click the report and select Print .
  • Page 83 ( \\<smc server>\C:\Program Files\Avira\Avira Security Management Center Agent\ ). This directory will be the root for this kind of actions in Avira SMC. You can also create subdirectories (e.g..\New-VDF-files ) so that you can find your files more quickly.
  • Page 84 Command . Sharing License Files In order to extend the license for an Avira product, you have to load a new license file using the Copy files function. Update the license file in the Software Repository , to be used for future installations.
  • Page 85: Handling Errors

    Errors always occur at computer level, so the nodes cannot produce errors because they do not form physical networks. For troubleshooting, we recommend that you first check the logfiles of the Avira products and, if necessary, keep them at hand for support questions.
  • Page 86 The logfile is filtered and listed in the window. Resetting the Error Status When an error occurs in Avira SMC, the affected Security Environment areas are marked with a red Stop icon in the console tree. An error icon appears next to the computer/group node.
  • Page 87 Operation Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 88: Updating Avira Products

    Environment (using remote update commands and even regularly, with a scheduled task). According to the configuration options for the updating routine of each Avira product, you can update Avira products installed on computers in the Security Environment via the Internet or via your Intranet. These updates are performed by each computer individually.
  • Page 89: Using The Internet Update Manager

    The Internet Update Manager service is part of SMC Server’s installation and its role is to keep all Avira products over the entire enterprise up to date. The IUM comes preconfigured along with SMC Server and it does not need any user interaction.
  • Page 90 Updating Avira Products To update all Avira products mirrored by the IUM: Right-click on Internet Update Manager and select Update now . The Status window displays the update in progress: -OR- If you want to schedule an update task for the entire IUM contents: Right-click on Internet Update Manager and select Scheduler/ Enable Scheduler (if not already enabled), then Scheduler/ Schedule Updates.
  • Page 91: Updating Packs In The Software Repository

    In order to perform update commands and tasks, without using the Internet Update Manager, you have to disable the Automatic mode from the Server Configuration window. Updating Software Packs Manually Right-click on Software Repository and select Update Software Repository/ Execute update. Avira Security Management Center Avira GmbH...
  • Page 92: Updating Avira Products

    Displaying Tasks for Software Packs or for SMC Server – Page 78). Updating Avira Products You can schedule update tasks for Avira products installed on the computers in Security Environment. See Performing Commands and Planning Tasks – Page 75. In order to perform update commands and tasks, without using the Internet Update Manager, you have to disable the Automatic mode from the Server Configuration window.
  • Page 93: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Please make sure you keep all SMC components and Avira products up to date, in order to ensure effective communication between them over the Security Environment. Prerequisites for communication between SMC Agents and SMC Server If there is a firewall installed on a client computer, the following ports (TCP) have to be open: 7000, 7001, 7010, 7020, 7021, 7030, 7100.
  • Page 94: Backup Smc Server Files

    Troubleshooting Backup SMC Server Files To keep a backup for SMC Server, right-click the Avira SMC Frontend node and select Backup server files . A warning message appears, to inform you it may take some minutes. Press Yes . An explorer window will allow you to navigate on your server and to select a name and a location for the backup archive, as .zip file.
  • Page 95: Software Pack Ids

    If the Frontend displays the message " Missing software package with ID... ", it means that SMC has detected an Avira product on the client computer, which is not integrated in the Software Repository or it has an outdated version. The...
  • Page 96: Products Supported By Avira Smc

    Avira Updater (UNIX) Product-specific Configuration Panels Avira SMC manages Avira products as software packs. When installing and configuring a software pack on a computer in the Security Environment, a product- specific configuration panel appears. The settings available in this window are similar to the configuration options available for that Avira product.
  • Page 97: Service

    Our developers' expertise and experience is available to you. The experts from Avira answer your questions and help you with difficult technical problems. During the first 30 days after you have purchased a license, you can use our Avira Installation Support by phone, email or by online form.
  • Page 98: Online Shop

    Avira licenses quickly and safely. The Online Shop guides you step by step through the order menu. A multi-lingual Customer Care Center explains the order process, payment transactions and delivery. Resellers can order by invoice and use a reseller panel.
  • Page 99 Errors and technical subject to change. Issued Q1-2009 AntiVir is a registered trademark of the Avira GmbH. ® All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Protected trademarks are not marked as such in this manual. However, this does not mean that they may be used freely.

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