zk,
The "server down" error can occur for a few different reasons.
First, if you use a firewall, Avast must be granted access in every instance requested (usually 3)...for the files Ashmai, Ashdisp, and Avastsetup. This is necessary to download the updates for the VPS.
Second, it may just be that the server was busy. I just received an update message, so today was an update issued. Try again and let me know if you connect.
Also, I would recommend that you set Avast to download updates for BOTH program and VPS.
Glad to have you on the forum.
Techie