Servers are the center of all modern information technology (IT) departments. They are a complex collection of hardware and software that makes it possible to deliver enterprise-level services to any computer or device across a network.
They have been the backbone of the Internet for decades and are used to host websites and web-based applications. The servers require constant management from one or more professionals. Some businesses choose to avoid this problem by using managed dedicated server hosting. This type of hosting includes management as part of the cost of leasing the server. Other businesses perform server management internally with a complete IT staff. Server management includes a few key tasks.
Installation
Installation is one part of server management. This takes place when the system is first installed. It is also necessary whenever a new piece of hardware or software is attached to the setup. Installation means adding new components without causing conflicts that could prevent existing applications or hardware from functioning. This also involves testing each new element for security holes that might create problems.
Monitoring
All servers require monitoring. Server monitoring involves measuring bandwidth, balancing loads when necessary and allocating resources when needed. Monitoring normally results in some type of reports generation so that efficiency can be measured. Monitoring is a vital part of security as well. Servers that are not monitored will quickly become inefficient and might even stop functioning normally.
Administration
Administration is considered part of server management in some businesses. Administration involves many tasks such as creating new user accounts, managing access to specific resources and making minor configuration changes to help the business. The other role of some administrators is to ensure that end-users like employees are not experiencing difficulties using the system. An administrator is usually a very specialized position that is not always included as part of server management.
Updates
The software, drivers and even the operating system that a server is using could all change over time as bugs and security holes are found and fixed. These changes are applied through updates or patches. These updates must be installed on the system as part of server management to ensure that everything works as seamlessly as possible. Installing an update often involves looking through technical details to make sure there are no incompatibilities because of server customizations. Most managed dedicated server hosting providers automatically perform updates in the background.
Even a server that is not directly exposed to a public network needs to have the security of the system managed. This could mean hardening the system so that it is resistant to attacks. It could also mean running a regular security audit so that any irregularities are immediately detected. Security becomes a major concern for servers that are exposed to public networks such as a web server or cloud server. Security monitoring and management includes implementing response plans in the event of an attack on the system.
Backups
Server management involves protecting the data that is used every single day by creating secure backups. The central storage location for a large server is not normally a single drive but a collection of drives. This makes archiving all of the information more complex than usual. Backups are normally performed once a day. The backups are then stored somewhere safe. Regular data backups mean that a business will be able to restore a server to working order in a very short amount of time without minimal data loss.
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