Endpoint Protection

Is there any way of disabling the auto-protect service while still having the AV/SW enabled? 

It appears as if they are joined at the hip and b/c of this, my systems are running incredibly slow. It also appears to be causing major network issues (not due to traffic) because the systems are so unresponsive b/c of scanning everything takes up too much CPU & RAM.

Please help me either figure out a configuration that will run minimally while still not leaving the systems unprotected!

Symantec Endpoint Protection Client configuration changes for performance optimization

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2007102311173048

IF AP is disabled the computer will be at risk.

I will reccomend  you to follow the above Kb and also create expection.

The machine in question is it a server ? If yes what is its Role?

There are multiple machines. Yes they are servers. Some are hosting web apps while others are backend servers housing SQL and custom apps that do a lot of data crunching. I'll try the suggestions in the KB first with my fingers crossed and one eye closed while praying.

Please create exclusuion for SQL

How to exclude SQL files and folders using Centralized Exceptions
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2008062709312848