New distributed repositories are added to the repository list file containing all available distributed repositories. The agent of a managed system updates this file each time it communicates with the ePO server. The agent performs repository selection each time the agent (McAfee Framework Service) service starts and when the repository list changes.
Selective replication provides more control over the updating of individual repositories. When scheduling replication tasks, you can choose:
• Specific distributed repositories to which the task applies. Replicating to different distributed repositories at different times lessens the impact on bandwidth resources. These repositories can be specified when you create or edit the replication task.
• Specific files and signatures that are replicated to the distributed repositories. Selecting only those types of files that are necessary to each system that checks into the distributed repository lessens the impact on bandwidth resources. When you define or edit your distributed repositories, you can choose which packages you want to replicate to the distributed repository. NOTE: This functionality is intended for updating products that are installed only on several systems in your environment, like GroupShield and WebShield. The functionality allows you to distribute these updates only to the distributed repositories these systems use.
How agents select repositories
By default, agents can attempt to update from any repository in the repository list file. The agent can use a network ICMP ping or subnet address compare algorithm to find the distributed repository with the quickest response time. Usually, this is the distributed repository closest to the system on the network.
You can also tightly control which distributed repositories agents use for updating by enabling or disabling distributed repositories in the agent policy settings. McAfee does not recommend disabling repositories in the policy settings. Allowing agents to update from any distributed repository ensures they receive the updates.
Global Threat Condition: Severe
