Update tasks and how they work

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. The default task is scheduled to update every day at 5:00 p.m. with one-hour randomization. You can also create additional update tasks to meet your updating requirements.

This diagram shows how a typical update task works:



Update task activities

These activities occur when you run an update task:


Update task interruption

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


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.

Tip: When you have finished using the EXTRA.DAT file, you should remove it from the master repository and run a replication task to ensure it is removed from all distributed repository sites. This stops VirusScan Enterprise clients from attempting to download the EXTRA.DAT file during an update. By default, detection for the new potentially unwanted program in the EXTRA.DAT is ignored once the new detection definition is added to the daily DAT files.