This product has several modules: the ERA Server, Console, Mirror server and client computers running ESET AV, server edition or Smart Security.
We loaded a single ERA Server, although you can have multiple servers. The server runs as a service on a Microsoft platform and acts as the go-between for the ERA Console and the clients. This provides the ability for redundancy through a replication process, and distribution of load for application deployments and updates across the network. We loaded the ERA Console and though we had to load several modules, we were managing clients within 20 minutes.
ESET Smart Security detects and blocks a wide variety of malware, network attacks and spam. The anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and firewall client was easy to set up and use. Support for email (POP3) and web traffic (HTTP) filtering is also available.
The console was intuitive and easy to use and centralised reporting and alerting functions were good. We did not, however, see any ability for email notification on critical events. The console can integrate with Active Directory and discover the endpoints. You can build application distributions using the console and the ability to use Microsoft Windows Installer is also available. We used the application builder to add in the Smart Security Client and performed the remote installations on our endpoints.
The client application installed easily from the remote console. The endpoint application was very easy to use and, in advanced mode, provided the user with a wide degree of flexibility for configuring firewall and virus/spyware protection.
The documentation was delivered via PDF and did a good job in walking us through the deployment of the various components. Support is included in the licence and consists of email, phone and a web-based knowledgebase and FAQ section.
Overall, the product did a nice job in our lab. It provides a good range of malware protection at the endpoint. The administration console performed well on reporting, alerting and distributing and managing the endpoint software.