Question:

What Antivirus exceptions do I need to put in place on my SnapStream server?

Answer:

Antivirus software can be used with the SnapStream Server safely. There are no known unresolvable conflicts between major antivirus programs and Enterprise TV. Please see below for recommendations for the best results when using antivirus software. SnapStream does not recommend any specific antivirus solution for use with Enterprise TV. 

On-access scanning
Many antivirus programs offer active or "on-access" scanning, which monitors all data written to the computer's hard drive for unauthorized activity. However, when a TV server is recording, data in some directories will change very rapidly, and if your antivirus software attempts to monitor these changes, performance slowdowns can result. 

To avoid this problem, the following directories on the SnapStream TV Server should be exempted from active or on-access scanning:

• C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server
• C:\Program Files (x86)\SnapStream Media 
• C:\ProgramData\SnapStream Media\SnapStream TV
• The SnapStream application data folder. 
  • The default location for this folder in SnapStream Software version 6.6 and above is:
    C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\SnapStream Media\SnapStream TV
  • The default location in SnapStream Software version 6.5 and below is:
    C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\SnapStream Media\SnapStream TV
  • The default location when running the SnapStream Broker Service as a specific user will be a path like the following (where [username] is replaced with the specific Windows User the SnapStream broker is running as): C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\SnapStream Media\SnapStream TV 
  • In some cases, this location may vary depending on the configuration of your system. Please contact SnapStream Support for more information. 
• All internal storage drives (usually drives D-G) (recording nodes only)
• The SnapStream temp directory:  This will normally be covered with the exception for the D drive, but on systems in a cluster that don't have a D drive, you will need to find the temp directory by going to the WebUI > Admin > Machine.  Then select the node that doesn't have a D drive from the machine drop down box to look up the temp directory path.

These directories can be included in periodic system scans that do not monitor activity in real-time. The storage drives may also be included in system scans; however, please be aware that the size of the storage drives can increase the time required for a full-system scan dramatically. 

Note: these paths apply to systems running Windows Server 2008 R2 or later. For help with older operating systems, please contact SnapStream support.

Proxy Servers
Some antivirus programs set up a local proxy server for internet security. Please see the article entitled Network configuration for SnapStream for information on configuring your proxy server to allow Enterprise TV access to necessary ports on your network. 

Some antivirus proxy servers may not be compatible with Enterprise TV. In these cases, it may be necessary to disable the proxy server in order for your SnapStream TV Server to work properly.