Does Windows Home Server need AV software?

[KLC]

I'm thinking of building or buying a WHS box. It would be purely for file sharing and backup, I won't use the remote access function and I don't have friends casually accessing the network with their laptops. The network is behind a firewall and all computers with internet access have Norton Internet Suite 2009 configured and operating.

In that situation does the WHS need AV also? If it only internally accesses pcs that are protected it seems to be redundant (and yeah, I know, reduncancy can't hurt).

I ask only because, since it's server OS based, most AV including Norton IS 2009 won't work on it. That means running a different brand on the WHS, or switching all of my computers to a new brand, etc, etc. I'd rather avoid both situations if possible.

 

[Athena]

Microsoft's position is that if you use WHS you describe, you aren't supposed to need any. If you are going to be browsing from the server or runninng applications on it, then you should install someting.

AVAST has a $40 WHS product. For another $40 you can get a "Family Pack" to cover up to 10 clients too. That may seem like a lot if you've been using FAR deals for your anti-virus but it's a fairly reasonable deal.

 

[KLC]

Thanks for the help Athena, one question. If I'm using WHS as I describe with a headless setup how does the update process work? For example, does PP3 get downloaded onto one of my other pcs and then installed from there onto the WHS?

 

[Athena]

Even a headless machine has an Internet connection. Updates to the software would be automatically downloaded (think Windows Update) by the server. If you have the client licenses too, they would be configured to look on the server for their updates.