Efficient server management
Server management is the operation and maintenance of a server. For efficient management, proper methodology should be in place and strictly adhered to. The methodology differs depending up on the type of server.
The basic idea behind server management is uptime and security. Here are a few things to follow to ensure a predictable and stable performance from the server which in turn translates into greater customer satisfaction and business growth. They might need modifications depending up on the server’s role.
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Do not overload the server
The server should not be overloaded with too many accounts on it. On a shared server, too many accounts might create serious problems. The optimum number of accounts on a server depends upon several factors, such as the hardware configuration, how resource-intensive the sites are, etc. An overloaded server will consistently give you and your customers problems. So, either upgrade the hardware as per requirements or optimize the number of accounts on the server.
Monitor the server
Servers need to be monitored 24/7, especially during peak hours. Having a monitoring tool would be of immense help, and it is a must if you have a large number of servers to monitor. While these tools can give you the status of services and few other things, you still need to dig deeper for effective server management.
Bandwidth needs to be monitored regularly. You might also want to consider bandwidth throttling if the server is co-located. You should have a plan of action ready in case of a DoS/DDoS attack. There are various tools available in order to collect information about the server or network.
Another important thing to check is the logs. You need to dig into the logs on a consistent basis to find the cause of a problem and to detect potential issues. You might also want to rotate the logs manually or archive them to another box on the network.
Periodic server audits are mandatory in proactive server management. The same applies for scans and security updates.
Critical patches need to be done in time. You should be aware about the release of patches applicable to your system. If you don't install patches, your software is left vulnerable to exploits.
Do not kill or restart services unnecessarily
This is a very common practice amongst system administrators. As soon as they find that the load is going high or the server is not as responsive as desired, they kill or restart services such as httpd or mysql. Some people even issue a reboot. These steps should be avoided or done only as a last resort. Instead, try to figure out the cause of the problem and eliminate it.
Always take a backup
Having a backup is very important. Updates and changes are inevitable. But before going ahead with any of those, it is always a good idea to have a backup of the current working configuration. Mistakes can happen and things can go wrong at any time. It is better to be on the safer side. It is also necessary to have regular periodic backups of the entire system.
Do upgrades during off-peak hours
As we all know, all upgrades, transfers, etc. should be done during off-peak hours. This might not always be practical, but you should adhere to this practice as much as possible.
Avoid mistakes
There is always room for error because of the human factor. Well, the best and only way to avoid errors is to be careful. For example, it can be a good idea not to allow techs to keep their cell phones with them during work. If you are not careful, then it is easy to screw things up!
Being careful becomes more important when you are working remotely. Also, it is recommended to have multiple people doing the task as two are better than one. It is easy for somebody to miss something, but another person might catch it.
The best way to approach effective server management is to make a checklist of the tasks that need to be done daily, weekly, and monthly. Also, make a list of potential problems that may arise. This way, it is nearly impossible to miss something.
See also
- What is server management?
- Web servers
- Uptime monitoring services
- Companies providing server management
- Dedicated hosting
Web Hosting Wiki article text shared under a Creative Commons License.
