Servers constitute the pillar of companies, especially those that depend on IT services. Even though many businesses have long since moved into cloud technology for their server needs, a large portion of them still use in-house servers to fulfill a wide array of computing needs. Servers are a fundamental component of the digital age. After all, they are in charge of hosting websites, storing data, sorting emails, and various other software applications that may be vital to running an organization. 

Although cloud services with enormous data centers elsewhere have gradually taken over these computing needs, some companies opt for a more hybrid approach, using cloud services in conjunction with hosting their own servers for data management.

There’s no denying that having reliable, functional servers is key to developing a business. Data is a critical asset in today’s digital world. Since many companies rely on servers to store vast amounts of data, being responsible and maintaining standards while safeguarding this data is crucial to having a stable organization. In this article, we’ll look at server management and the best practices you can follow to ensure proper maintenance and care. 

What Is Server Management?

Server management refers to all the maintenance of the hardware and software that helps a server effectively store resources in a network. Monitoring these aspects will ensure that our servers operate smoothly and optimally. The watching and configuring required to run a stable, high-performing server necessitate following the proper techniques and strategies. It involves both the hardware and the software, but also running security checks and making sure to have backups at hand in case something goes amiss. 

In general, server management encompasses three main objectives: 

• Maximize the server’s reliability while minimizing any slowdown and downtime.
• Safeguard and protect the operating environment.
• Scale the server’s operations to meet the needs and demands of the organization over time.

Being in charge of a server doesn’t only mean ensuring it performs efficiently; you also have to guarantee that it’ll fit seamlessly into the bigger picture of the organization. 

Server Management Best Practices to Follow

Knowing server management best management practices will provide you with the peace of mind that your data is safely stored. At the same time, identifying problems when they arise and minimizing downtime are essential to fulfilling the three main objectives mentioned before. Proper server management can be arduous, as it requires a particular approach on your end, depending on the scope of your organization.

Nevertheless, you’ll find a series of best practices anyone should follow below.

• Have antivirus software at hand: Having multiple security solutions at the ready that can protect you from malware and other threats is extremely important. Even though these security solutions will be running simultaneously, it’s vital they don’t interfere with one another. Managing multiple security solutions will ensure your servers and their data stay secure. 
• Monitor your drivers: Drivers are what link your operating system with your programs and computer components. These files are the ones in charge of controlling how your system works. Due to this, you should always make sure to update them regularly so that everything operates smoothly and efficiently. Having updated drivers will help you avoid conflicts or problems arising from incompatibility issues.
• Documentation: Keeping proper documentation is of the highest importance in organizations. Having detailed record issues of things that have happened in the past will help you save time in the present. By referring to records of past issues, you can reuse solutions already proven to work.
• Manage your patches appropriately: Viruses or malware can always find a way into your servers. The network admins in charge of protecting a server must stay updated with the latest patches and create an effective security plan to ensure the servers are tightly secured. Apply regular security updates to help protect your systems from known vulnerabilities hackers can use to exploit for entry. 
• Perform regular backups: Sometimes disaster strikes when you least expect it, and before you know it, all data is lost. Backups take time, but it’s easy to see how important they are in organizations. In the event of a data loss, backups will help you quickly restore everything to a point in which everything was working correctly. They will help you maintain your server’s integrity while allowing your business to run smoothly. 
• Manage your hardware: Hardware components are just as important as software. If your servers are slowing down due to insufficient memory to perform all necessary operations and checks, you should consider upgrading your hardware. At the same time, not going overboard with the equipment is also important. Make sure everything continues operating even while you undergo an upgrade to minimize downtime. Tests before an upgrade operation will also help you determine how much space a server might need. Based on the results from these tests, your IT admins can decide on the best upgrade strategy to follow.
• Do inventory control: Finally, having a map of your inventory goes a long way in identifying problems and their possible causes. Hardware like printers and monitors aren’t always installed first inside a network, so making sure when and where these go in is critical. You want to keep track of all the hardware and software you’re using to have a complete picture of the technology within your business. 

Final Words

Quantifying the importance of servers in data-driven organizations is difficult; they’re of the utmost importance. Caring for servers with the best practices is how modern organizations store and safeguard their most valuable asset, data. Maintaining and monitoring servers with knowledge and expertise can only be done by professionals that know the importance of efficiency and zero downtime.