Standalone McAfee Agent with VirusScan Enterprise for Linux can't use an ePO Master or Distributed Repository

Technical Articles ID: KB78490
Last Modified: 2/18/2021

Environment

McAfee Agent (MA) 5.x – all supported versions
McAfee VirusScan Enterprise for Linux (VSEL) 2.x, 1.9.x

For environment information, see KB51573 - Supported platforms for McAfee Agent 5.x.

Problem 1

The autoupdate for VSEL fails when you use the default update location (ePO repository).

You see one of the following messages on the VSEL console:

File catalog.z is corrupt
No valid repository found

Problem 2

The agent_<computer_name>.log file records the following:

Unable to find the hash {XXXXXXXX.EN_US} from the hash list.

NOTE: The hash for the catalog.z is unrecognized because an ePO repository has its contents signed.

Cause

The local unmanaged McAfee Agent on Linux has no method to verify signature keys. There is also no check against the ePO Master or Distributed Repository. So, it can't access the site for updates.

Solution

Use a full McAfee Agent for Linux installation. This version has the method and keys to verify against the ePO Master or Distributed repositories for access.

If you choose to run VSEL unmanaged, you can do so using either of the following methods:

Install the VSEL extensions so you have only reporting capabilities. Do not manage VSEL by setting VSEL policies to Not Enforcing at the My Organization level.
Or:
Do not install any VSEL extension, which does not provide any policy enforcement or reporting capabilities.

Either of these options means agent-only management for Repositories and Updates, which allows the autoupdate.

Workaround

To work around this issue:

Install VSE for Windows on a system that can host the site as HTTP or FTP.
Use the VSE Mirror Task to create a repository in that site.
Use this site as the repository for unmanaged Linux systems.

The VSE for Windows Mirror Task creates an unsigned repository, which allows the standalone McAfee Agent on Linux systems to use the unsigned catalog.z file for updates.

Affected Products

McAfee Agent 5.7.x
McAfee Agent 5.6.x
VirusScan Enterprise for Linux 1.9.x (EOL)
VirusScan Enterprise for Linux 2.0.x (EOL)

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Knowledge Center

Standalone McAfee Agent with VirusScan Enterprise for Linux can't use an ePO Master or Distributed Repository

Environment

Problem 1

Problem 2

Cause

Solution

Workaround

Affected Products

Languages:

Title

Title

Knowledge Center

Standalone McAfee Agent with VirusScan Enterprise for Linux can't use an ePO Master or Distributed Repository

Environment

Problem 1

Problem 2

Cause

Solution

Workaround

Affected Products

Languages:

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