Use the update task to get the most current DAT files, scanning engine, and service packs and patches.

VirusScan Enterprise includes a default update task which runs every day at 5:00 p.m. with one-hour randomization. You can create additional update tasks as needed.

Update task activities

These activities occur when you run an update task:

• A connection is made to the first enabled repository (update site) in the repository list. If this repository is not available, the next site is contacted, and so on until a connection is made, or until the end of the list is reached.
• An encrypted CATALOG.Z file downloads from the repository. The file contains the fundamental data required to update. This data is used to determine which files and updates are available.
• The software versions in the file are checked against the versions on the computer. If new software updates are available, they are downloaded.

Update task interruption

If the update task is interrupted for any reason during the update:

• A task updating from an HTTP, UNC, or local site resumes where it left off the next time the update task starts.
• A task updating from an FTP site does not resume if interrupted during a single file download. However, if the task is downloading several files and is interrupted, the task resumes before the file that was being downloaded at the time of the interruption.

Update using EXTRA.DAT

An EXTRA.DAT file can be used as a temporary measure in an emergency. The EXTRA.DAT is downloaded from the repository on each update. This ensures that if you modify and re-check in the EXTRA.DAT in as a package, all VirusScan Enterprise clients download and use the same updated EXTRA.DAT package. For example, you may use the EXTRA.DAT as an improved detector for the same potentially unwanted program or additional detection for other new potentially unwanted programs. VirusScan Enterprise supports using only one EXTRA.DAT file.