XGEN: Microsoft's Position on Antivirus Solutions for Exchange 2000 (306105)

SUMMARY

Microsoft recommends that customers deploy an antivirus solution based on the Exchange Virus Scanning Application Programming Interface (VS API). The VS API was released with Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack 3 (SP3) and is included with Exchange 2000. The Exchange product group is committed to providing enhancements to this API, bug fixes, documentation, and technical assistance to ISVs (as appropriate). An updated VS API is available with Exchange 2000 Service Pack 1 (SP1). The new API enhances the current core feature set by providing the abilities to optimize and configure the scanning process at multiple levels, in addition to providing Exchange administrators with built-in functionality to monitor the performance of the new API.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft also recognizes that other antivirus solutions for Exchange Server 5.5 and Exchange 2000 are available that do not use the VS API. The Exchange product group does not provide any code updates, documentation, or technical assistance to address issues related to the use of a non-VS API-based solution. For Exchange customers who are using a non-VS API-based solution, Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) may ask the customer to uninstall or disable the antivirus solution to help identify issues. Customers are free to reinstall or enable the software after the root cause of the issue is properly diagnosed. Microsoft may find it necessary to engage the ISV's support organization to determine the root cause of the issue, which may delay the final resolution.

Microsoft strongly encourages the development and adoption of Exchange VS API-based antivirus solutions.