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 :)