What is server management?
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Server management overview
Server management is the maintenance of web servers. When you have a fully managed server, your web host is responsible for some or all server maintenance. If your server is not fully managed, you are responsible for maintaining it or for hiring someone to maintain it for you.
There is no commonly accepted definition of exactly what is included when a server is fully managed. When discussing server management services, it's a good idea to cover specifics to come to an agreement on what services will be done. This page lists common services that server management companies offer.
Server setup
- Initial server setup
- Control panel installation and configuration
- Firewall installation and configuration
- Software and script installation and configuration
- Anti-spam and anti-virus installation
- Mail server setup
- MySQL server setup
- DNS setup and configuration
Monitoring
- Constant server monitoring, often from different locations
- Downtime notifications
- Uptime reports
- Monitoring of notable changes to bandwidth use
Security
- Security hardening
- Security updates to software
- Security audits
Proactive services and updates
- Server optimization
- Critical patches to the operating system and web server
- Control panel updates
- Software updates and upgrades
- Kernel updates and upgrades
- Log auditing/analysis
Other server management services
- Server backup and restoration
- Server migration
- Disaster recovery
- Software support
Factors to consider when choosing a server management company
- In addition to offering different services, server management companies typically support specific (and probably not all) operating systems, server types (Linux/Unix or Windows), and control panels.
- As with any service providers, read reviews and pay attention to how the company responds to your inquiries.
See also
Web Hosting Wiki article text shared under a Creative Commons License.
