GFI LANSSMCREN50-99-3Y User Manual
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www.gfi.com/languard
4.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DATABASE
Each time a scan is run, the results are stored in a database. There are three (3) Microsoft databases you can use. The
choice of database is dependent on: the size of the scanned network, the frequency of the scans and the types of scans
(e.g., complete, partial etc.) you perform:
choice of database is dependent on: the size of the scanned network, the frequency of the scans and the types of scans
(e.g., complete, partial etc.) you perform:
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Microsoft Access (LANguard includes the Microsoft Access Database but does not require having Access
installed)
•
Microsoft SQL Express
•
Microsoft SQL Server
If you are looking at Microsoft SQL Server to use as your preferred database but are unsure of the licensing
requirements, below are some links to Microsoft SQL licensing information pages.
requirements, below are some links to Microsoft SQL licensing information pages.
As always you may want to consult your Microsoft partner for advice.
The default Microsoft Access scan results database which ships with GFI LANguard is not enough for large
networks. Switching to a Microsoft SQL Server database must be strongly considered for networks larger
networks. Switching to a Microsoft SQL Server database must be strongly considered for networks larger
than 250 active IPs when the IP is a computer. (As a computer scan will return more information than say,
a printer).
* NOTE: GFI does not license or represent Microsoft or any of its products. We also do not know all the ins and outs of
your internal systems, applications and data. The content in this SmartGuide are here to provide some suggestions on
your internal systems, applications and data. The content in this SmartGuide are here to provide some suggestions on
issues to consider when choosing database and hardware requirements on implementing GFI LANguard. They are
strictly provided as a guideline.
strictly provided as a guideline.
5.
SCANNING AND PERFORMANCE TIPS
Here are some suggestions for ensuring more successful scans.
•
If you are concerned with your network bandwidth consumption, e.g., a slower network, you may want
to consider reviewing the Complete/Combination Scans (Full Scan (Slow Networks)) profile in Section 7.
Scanning Profiles of the LANguard product document found
Scanning Profiles of the LANguard product document found
•
If you choose to do a complete scan of the network: The larger and more complex your network the
longer the scan can take. The default setting with LANguard is that you can scan three (3) simultaneous
IPS. To decrease the time it takes to scan your network you can change the default setting to up to 10
(ten) IPs at one time. HOWEVER understand that with the time gain, you will utilize more network
resources.
Please see
IPS. To decrease the time it takes to scan your network you can change the default setting to up to 10
(ten) IPs at one time. HOWEVER understand that with the time gain, you will utilize more network
resources.
Please see
•
A full scan can be time consuming. So before performing a one we recommend you identify a
representative sample of your network and run a test scan to ensure your environment is correctly
configured. For example, a small test scan would quickly show errors that you would want to rectify
before scanning all Active IPS on your network, e.g., cannot connect to WMI or remote registry.
configured. For example, a small test scan would quickly show errors that you would want to rectify
before scanning all Active IPS on your network, e.g., cannot connect to WMI or remote registry.
•
When scanning your network, there can be issues with your security (e.g., anti-virus) software. Such
problems can be avoided by following a few configuration guidelines. Please refer to
•
By default some firewall applications (like the Windows XP Service Pack 2 inbuilt firewall) disable various
ports and services. This can make the target computers totally un-discoverable, or negatively affect the
scanning accuracy.