Grisoft's antivirus product for networks offers centralized management that can install, monitor and administer the antivirus software on each computer on the network.
The management system has two main components, a server and an administration interface. The AVG TCP server periodically checks Grisoft's servers for updated antivirus signatures and scanning engines, downloading them as necessary. The antivirus software installed on each workstation is updated from the AVG TCP server using http, rather than obtaining them directly from Grisoft's servers, which helps to reduce internet traffic and also ensures that all the systems are using the same updated versions.
The TCP server uses a supplied copy of the Firebird database engine, but it can make use of an existing installation of Microsoft's SQL Server if required. It has its own control interface that provides status and log information as well as the ability to alter the server's configuration. It is possible to change items such as the frequency with which the server checks for updates and the types of updates it will check for.
The database stores the configuration details for all the client stations. The server software and the Administrator software can be installed on different computers, so the distribution and update functions can be installed at a secure location while allowing administration to occur elsewhere.
The system's flexibility provides many configuration options to cater for most requirements, although it is advisable to read the accompanying documentation thoroughly before trying to install the product onto a large network.
The scanner software can be configured and downloaded to every networked machine, with different task and rule sets for each machine or group. Virus detection alerts are displayed at the infected machine and also logged at the central administration machine.