ADNM and Vista x64bit

Avast Business Avast Distributed Network Manager
1

Hi :smiley:
I am running a machine with Vista Business x64bit and I have SQL server installed (see attached image) since I also run Faronics Deep Freeze and Core Console
My question is does ADMN work on a Vista x64 machine? If so, which version do I use? (the bigger file or the smaller file?) I downloaded the ADNM that is 109mb, and when I try to install it it gives me two options to install and either one doesn’t work. I have received my license.dat file from AWIL so now what?

Avast support was kind enough to tell me that I can install adnm on my machine but the ADNM manual states that it is NOT supported?

Thanks a lot,

Philip :wink:

2

UPDATE - I tried installing the ADNM without MSDE (the smaller download) and it gives me an error that I have specified an invalid username and password on SKYNET server, do you want to continue?

What does THAT mean? :o

What happens if I hit ‘yes’ and continue?

Sorry for being so stupid.

Philip

3

Welcome to the forum.

I haven’t installed ADNM on a Vista machine yet, and I don’t think I ever will. I usually install it on an actual server OS.

I don’t think it should be a problem though. I have successfully installed ADNM on Server 2008 x64 machines.

Looking at your screenshot, the server name should be SKYNET/“avast instance name” I believe. Provided that you have already installed SQL server, created an instance for avast, and have created your own SA username and password. A randomly generated one won’t work, because if you don’t know the password, then you can’t tell avast what it is so that it can use the database…

Other than that, it should work fine. Let us know.

4

Scythe,
Thanks for the reply. I do have SQL server installed, but I don’t know how to create an instance for avast or an SA username and password to give to ADNM when it asks for it. How do I do that?

I checked the SQL server settings by going to Start- Programs - MS SQL Server 2005 - Configuration Manager and noticed that the SQL Server Browser was set at Disabled. (see image) I started it and set it to Automatic. Could this be the problem while installing ADNM?

Thanks,

Philip

5

It’s been a little while since I’ve done an installation, but you should have been able to create a database as soon as you installed MSDE.

You can create another using the configuration manager I’m pretty sure. I found this site that explains how to do it, only they’re gearing it for “AutoPLANT”. Just configure yours for avast. http://communities.bentley.com/Wiki/view.aspx/How_To_Create_A_New_SQL_Database_And_User_In_SQL_Server_2005_For_An_AutoPLANT_Project

If it wasn’t running to begin with, that would definitely cause a problem though!

6

I know you’re not installing on SBS 2008, but I think most of this will be relevant. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=41775.0

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Scythe,
I am running vista business x64. MSDE is not supported according to the ADNM installation guide. It just says that MSDE isn’t supported on x64bit systems but sql server should work just fine.
How do you create a new instance so I can call it avast and set up an SA account username and password so the ADNM install will point to it?

Thanks again,

Philip

I checked the two threads but didn’t see information on how to create a new instance :-\

8

OK,
I went over the threads again you recommended and I did see instructions for creating a new instance. I’m going to try to launch the SQL server installer and hopefully it will create a new database instance that I can call avast! and we’ll see if that works. Unless installing SQL Management Studio will be even easier.

I think avast should make it a lot easier to set this up. I know ADNM is free but still… :frowning:

9

:‘( :’( :‘( :’( :cry:

Well I was able to launch the SQL express installer and add another server database called avast, make up an SA account and password, but going through the ADNM install, the program doesn’t see it. Keeps giving me that “can’t find specified server, invalid username/password” error. I have enabled all network protocols (TCP, etc) and it’s running, the browser is running so I don’t know what the problem is. Sounds like the issue is with the ADNM program

I sent in a support ticket

10

did u turn of your firewall?

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I do not have the windows firewall enabled. I’m running avast pro and if they have a firewall that is interfering with it that would be quite embarrassing for them I would think… ::slight_smile:

Is there something of theirs I need to turn off?

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Remember, for the instance name you have to put SERVERNAME/INSTANCENAME in order for it to work (use a forward slash, not a backslash).

I know it’s a pain in the rear to get setup, I’m hoping with Avast 5, they’ll start incorporating SQL Express 2k5 or 2k8, and we won’t have to do all of the manual configuration to get it to work, like we have to do now.

If that doesn’t work, I’m pretty much stuck. Give us any more info that you can so we can help further.

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Scythe,
Thanks for your continued help. Unfortunately it just won’t work. I think I’ll have to give up on using ADNM.

Note: I did try both options, checked and unchecked with regard to creating the database

Oh well,

Philip

14

besides the problems:
is there any particular reason you need to install ADNM (server software) on a vista client? Is it possible to that you format the that client and install XP or even beter Windows Server 2008 R2?

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I said that before, I wouldn’t install ADNM on a vista machine, nor XP for that matter, but if that’s what fairlane has to work with and nothing else, then we’ll try to help as best as we can.

fairlane, did you check to see if your sql server service is running and set to automatic? Any event logs on the machine that shows abnormal operation or errors?

Hopefully you don’t have to give up on the ADNM, because once you get it running, it’s the bee’s knees. Especially if you have a bunch of machines that you want to control with it.

Woops!! :o I just looked at my server here and saw that I have “SERVER2\avast” in my sql server instance. I told you it was a forward slash, but I think I may have been mistaken. Let me check one of my 2008 boxes… yep. I was wrong.

Use a Backslash!!! \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Sorry about that!

Let me know if that works (got my fingers crossed for ya)

16

Scythe,
I am out sick today, will be back on Thurs. I’m pretty sure all required services are up and running (did you see the pics I uploaded?)
I will try again with a backslash when I get in on Thurs.

As to the OS, vista x64 bit is what I’m running. I won’t go back to x32bit (what’s the point?) and running a server OS is overkill. I only have around 50 pc’s on three floors to deal with in a small public library. It’s not crucial, but I would like to be able to monitor the machines I have to see if and when any get infected, which is why I’m trying to get ADNM to work. I wonder how it would fare if I upgraded to windows 7 Enterprise x64 and tried installing ADNM. hrmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ;D

Incidentally, a colleague of mine told me to install SQLExpress 2005 x64bit edition. He thinks that would fix it. At this point I feel it couldn’t hurt, but who knows with SQL. I just don’t want to mess up my faronics instances but again, if it gets ADNM to work, so be it.

Thanks again for your help

17

highly probable is that the slash mix up is the sollution

but to go into your question abuot whats the point

that question i ask you to for the x64 machine

whats the point for that machine to be 64 bit? Most programmes (INCLUDING ADNM) dont harness the possibilities of 64bit yet since there is no need for that to harnes yet.
64bit is getting popular yes and it will soon take over the world… but not just yet…
you dont have a server infrastructure for your network in the library where u possibly could put avast on, since this would centralise administration of the network itself too which makes your life easier (unless its setup to keep your job ;))?

if you run SQL 2005 32bit whats the whole point of the machine, since the database wont be able to use the 64bit functionality either…

just some idea’s :wink:

like i said the slash mix up from scythe is probably the sollution for your problem just put the \ instead of the /

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fairlane, hope you feel better soon, and I hope my mistake with the slashes fixes the problem! let us know.

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Scythe,
Almost there!! :smiley: OK your backslash worked flawlessly. It saw the server and continued to install the mirror files from avast, but when the setup was finished I launched the ADNM from the desktop but cannot log in? (see image) This is the default login that pops up, should this be changed? I hit the Detect Servers button and it found my machine SkyNET not the SkyNET\avast (or the Faronics for that matter). I tried to put in SkyNET\avast and skyNET/avast and use administrator and password and it gives me an error (not valid context etc…) I put in sa for the username and the password I created for the avast instance but I still can’t login? :-[

When I installed ADNM (adnm_no_msde.exe) I didn’t uncheck the ‘Management Server’. Is that right? I also created certificates and had them stored locally.

Thanks again, you have been extremely helpful

Philip

20

You’re welcome.

Now the problem is that you’re trying to login to the ADNM console using your database credentials. Do not mistake them to be the same. They are different.

I believe the default user and password for the ADNM console are admin/admin.

Check the ADNM user manual for details. http://files.avast.com/files/eng/adnmag.pdf

Once you get in, you can change that password, and/or create users and new passwords, if required.

Hope that works…

  • EDIT *

Just read the manual, and I was wrong again. Looks like:

The default username is Administrator, and the password is admin. We strongly encourage all users to change the password as soon as possible after logging on to the server, because leaving the password set to its default value 10 Chapter 2. Installation directly compromises system security.