4.2 Standalone processes of the server
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## 4.2 Standalone processes of the server

In addition to the main process `mailserver.exe`, there are other two stand-alone processes (`avserver.exe` and `spamserver.exe`) running in Kerio MailServer that serve applications developed outside Kerio Technologies. These applications include any antivirus plugins (external and/or the built-in McAfee antivirus) and the SpamAssassin antispam filter. As hinted by their names, `avserver` maintains antivirus plugins, while `spamserver` maintains the SpamAssassin.

The `mailserver.exe` process is located in the directory where Kerio MailServer is installed (`Kerio\MailServer\mailserver.exe` or `Kerio/mailserver/mailserver.exe`).

The other two processes are represented by executables located in the directory where Kerio MailServer is installed (`\Kerio\MailServer\plugins` on Windows, `/Kerio/mailserver/plugins` on Unix-based systems).

Separation of the processes solves server stability issues that had surfaced when the plug-ins had been used.

Whenever a problem occurs regarding any of the plug-ins (e.g. when connection is closed improperly or if connection “freezes”), automatic restart is initiated by the corresponding process. This implies any error that occurs does not cause failure of the entire mailserver and communication with the corresponding plug-in is even not interrupted for a long time. Initiation of the application's restart also generates and saves a crashdump log that might help discover the problem's cause. Then, when an administrator connects to Kerio MailServer, a Kerio Assist dialog asks them to decide whether the crashdump log would be sent to Kerio Technologies for analysis.

Behaviour of the Kerio Assist differs in dependence on the operating system:

- Windows — the Kerio Assist dialog is opened immediately upon the incident.

- Mac OS X — the Kerio Assist dialog is opened upon the first startup of the Kerio Administration Console after the incident.

### Warning

Any information recorded in the log are used only to solve problems associated with usage of Kerio Technologies products. No information including the sender's email address will be misused in any way.

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