Using Symantec’s Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition

There is a newer version (2012) that is cloud-based. You can watch the video here.

An easy-to-use security application that includes anti-virus and intrusion protection that is very affordable and accessible for small business networks.

We tested RC of v12 on a small network running Windows Server 2003 and XP machines.

Pros: Simple to install and to setup default automatic protection, reports easy to understand, priced competitively with anti-virus only solutions
Cons: Only protects Windows PCs; default isn’t to replace built-in Windows firewall
Price: Server licensed free, with $44.99 MSRP per client with volume and competitive discounts available
Free 30-day trial for unlimited licenses

Supports: Windows XP (SP 1 or later), 2000/2003/2008 Servers, NOT on Vista
Symantec’s Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition
Symantec.com
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers

An online backup server that covers a wide range of servers and services, this latest version includes the ability to protect Microsoft SharePoint and Exchange servers, VMware Infrastructure, and other sophisticated environments.

We tested Version 12.5 on a small test network with Windows Server 2008 and Mac and Windows clients.

Requirements: Windows 2000/2003/2008 Servers,
Price: $995 for one license, additional agents varies in price from $395 to $3195, depending on what you need to backup.

Symantec Corp.
http://symantec.com/backupexec
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

Pros:

  • Easy to setup and operate
  • Free 60 day trial helps you test out the service and become familiar with its operation
  • Granular Recovery Technology allows easy restoration of accidentally deleted files, emails, or documents.
  • VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V virtual server data protection that is easy to manage
  • Integrated online backup for flexible off-site data protection

Cons:

  • Some of the menus are a bit densely packed, such as the Job Setup screens
  • This is not a product for single server environments (there is a separate version for Microsoft’s Small Business Server that is more appropriate)

Deploying applications using Symantec’s Endpoint Virtualization Suite

The suite covers three separate products that have been acquired over the years by Symantec for applications delivery via streaming or virtual layers and a connection broker technology that allows enterprises to manage the way their applications are packaged and delivered to users’ desktops.


We tested Version 6.1 on various test machines in February 2009.

Requirements: Windows XP SP 1 or better with Java J2SE Runtime 5.0 update 6, Windows Server 2003/2008, Windows 2000, Windows Vista

Price: $360 (concurrent license), $270 (per node) for entire suite, Streaming + Virtualization $68, Virtualization only $44. Substantial volume license discounts.

Pros:
• Powerful software management for multiple use cases so that enterprises can configure and deliver a wide variety of applications and situations
• Granular virtualization layer technology
• Competitive price for the features that are included
Cons:
• Complex setup with multiple moving parts
• No common policy management across the various software modules
• Multiple management consoles for each software module

Symantec Endpoint Virtualization Suite
Symantec Corp.
http://symantec.com/
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

Building better workflows using Altiris Workflow Solution from Symantec

Symantec’s Altiris Workflow Solution v 6.0 is a series of products that were acquired from LogicBase called TLogic. Used together, they can help you automate virtually any IT process or workflow and imbed business logic into the processes too. The product can be useful for something that requires repetitive human interaction, such as designed an automated system for gambler’s comp packages at a casino to keeping track of cleaned rooms at a hospital. Almost any type of process or Workflow can be automated with Workflow Solution.

We tested the product in August 2008 on a prebuilt virtual machine that was supplied by Symantec.

AltirisSalesInfo@symantec.com, 888-252-5551
http://www.symantec.com

Requirements: Windows Server 2003 or later. Symantec’s Altiris Notification Server and several other Altiris SDK and developer tools (free)

Price: $25,000 for server and designer, additional designer licenses are $4,000 each
Category: Workflow management
Pros: Sophisticated models can be built with little programming expertise
Cons: There are a lot of moving parts to assemble before you can begin working

Making backups with Symantec Protection Network Online Backup

Symantec Corp. http://spn.com

An online backup service that works automatically in the background to make copies of your most critical files and is very easy and economical to use. Online backups have several advantages:
— To aid in recovering files from a lost or stolen laptop
— To provide a simple but effective offsite storage solution for your data
— To keep the costs of backups low and within reach of most businesses

Requirements: Windows 2000/2003 Server, Windows XP, Windows Vista with latest service packs installed, with at least 15% free disk space on the volumes that you want to backup.

Price: $9.99 a month for basic service for 10 GB storage. Premium service is $35 a month for 10 GB with seven year history of backups. Additional fees for more storage capacity, remote access, and online storage for Backup Exec v12 users.

Pros:
— Easy to setup and operate
— Free 30 day trial helps you test out the service and become familiar with its operation
— 24×7 support included
Cons:
— Requires a fast broadband upload connection particularly on the first backup or for very large file collections. Only incremental changes are sent on subsequent backups
— Lack of progress indicators make troubleshooting more difficult