Barracuda spam filter alternative - virtualization/appliance friendly?

Solution 1:

Barracuda does offer a VMware appliance. It is their Vx series. I just switched off of my 5 year Model 300 to Vx300 because my unit was crashing too much. This way, I don't have to come to the office to power cycle it.

Barracuda Virtual Applicances

Solution 2:

I worked in Support there for nearly 2 years and OP is definitely correct. BSF 100-400 use desktop quality HDD. The RMA rate was through the roof. I would avoid purchasing any of these units like the plague.

Note: This HDD practice is not limited to the Spam Filter but all lower end products the make.

tl;dr: Get amavisd, spamassasin, and clamd and some decent HW and you'll have your own Cuda :)