By default, SonicWall security appliances automatically check for signature updates every hour. Automatic updates are convenient and appropriate for most network environments, but they require that the SonicWall appliance have an always-on Internet connection. The manual signature update feature is intended for networks where such connectivity is either not possible or not desirable (for security reasons).
You can update the latest signatures manually at your discretion. The network administrator first downloads the signatures from MySonicWall.com to a separate computer, USB drive, or other media, and then the signatures are uploaded to the SonicWall security appliance.
Updating signatures manually is a way of keeping SonicWall security appliances completely isolated from the security risks inherent with Internet connectivity. It's also a useful alternative if your connectivity is not reliable enough for automatic updates.
The manual signature updating is available on the following platforms when running SonicOS Enhanced version 3.2 or later:
- SonicWall PRO 5060
- SonicWall PRO 4100
- SonicWall PRO 4060
- SonicWall PRO 3060
- SonicWall PRO 2040
- SonicWall PRO 1260
- SonicWall TZ 170 W
- SonicWall TZ 170 SP W
- SonicWall TZ 170 SP
- SonicWall TZ 170
Before manually updating the signature files, you must do the following:
- Ensure that you have installed the latest version of the firmware on the SonicWall security appliance.
- If you have made any changes to the security services on the SonicWall security appliance, update the license keyset.
To manually update signature files, complete the following steps:
- On the SonicWall security appliance, navigate to the Security Services menu, and then scroll to the Update Signatures Manually heading at the bottom of the page. Note the Signature File ID for your device.
- Log in to MySonicWall.com.
- Click Download Signatures in the menu bar.
- Select the appropriate SFID for your SonicWall appliance.
- Download the signature update file.
- Import the signature update file. (You do not need an Internet connection for this step.)