How to Install Acunetix Multi-Engine

Configuring Engines

The Acunetix Multi-engine setup is suitable for Enterprise customers who need to scan more than 10 websites or web applications simultaneously. This can be achieved by installing one Main Installation and multiple Scanning Engines, all managed from a central console.

Configuring engines is a three step process:

• install the new engine
• register the scanning engine with the main installation
• authorise the scanning from the main installation

Installing Acunetix Stand-Alone Engine

The only function of the Acunetix Scanning Engine installations is to perform scans when requested from the Main Installation. The Acunetix Engine configuration is only used to register the engine with the Main installation. Proceed as follows to install an Acunetix Scanning Engine:

• Copy the Acunetix installation to the machine. The installation file for the Main Installation is the same file you need to use to install the stand-alone Scanning Engine on a different machine.
• From the command prompt, run the installation with the /engineonly switch. (If installing the engine on Linux, use --engineonly)

• This will start the installation of the Acunetix Scanning Engine

s

• Proceed with the installation. Once again, you will need to enable “Allow remote access to Acunetix”, and specify a Server Name that is accessible from the Acunetix Main Installation.

• Proceed and finish the installation.

Register Scanning Engine

After the installation of the Scanning Engine, you will need to register the Scanning Engine with the Main Installation. This process is initiated from the Scanning Engine.

• Browse to the Acunetix Engine Registration page.

• Click on the "Configure Now" button
• Provide a Unique name for this Scanning Engine instance, so as to differentiate it from the other Scanning Engines.

• Confirm that the “Scanning engine address (this instance)” reflects the address of this Scanning Engine Instance. Usually this can be kept as default.
• Configure the address of the Main Installation. Ensure you include the port number.
• If needed, select to Ignore SSL Errors
• Click Register once done.

Authorise Scanning Engine from Main Installation

All the Scanning Engine registration requests need to be authorised from the Main Installation. This ensures that the Main Installation administrator remains in control of all the Scan Engine registrations.

• From the Main Installation, select the “Engines” menu option

• Here you will see all the Engines configured, including the ones which are pending Authorization.
• Select the Scan Engines which are pending Authorization, and click Authorize to confirm their Registration.
• The Status of the Scan Engine request will change to Online, and the version of the Scan Engine is updated.

• Back on the Scan Engine machine, the Scan Engine is now shown as Registered

Once this is done, any scans configured on the Main Installation will be distributed between the Scanning Engines configured.

Notes:

• The License on the Main Installation will be propagated to the Scanning Engine installations when the Scanning Engines are Authorized.
• The Scanning Engine on the Main Installation cannot be disabled.
• You can configure a Target to always be scanned using the same Scanning Engine. This can be done from the Target Settings > Advanced > Scanning Engine. Enable the setting, and choose the Scanning Engine to be used for this Target.
• The Acunetix Main Installation and the Acunetix Engines communicate over port 3443. Firewalls should be configured to allow these connections both ways.