What’s Sever Management? | Liquid Web

Server management is the list of tasks that must be done to ensure the proper performance of various kinds of servers in a network. It requires IT professionals to access hardware and software that integrate the server so as to perform the required maintenance, updates, and monitoring.

The activities related to web server management can vary depending on the style of server. These can include running the servers and monitoring all activity and issues as they occur. They may also include backing up server systems and data, providing statistics in regards to the applications so the administrators can evaluate performance, etc.

How server management works depends entirely on the style of server. Virtual servers require software updates, but the corporate providing the service often maintains and monitors all of the hardware. A physical device, however, would require each hardware and software monitoring, often by the identical person doing server management.

A pc is made up of a set of components. This isn’t any different for servers. Probably the most common components are the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), power source, hard disk, etc. that are all connected through a motherboard. Hardware management includes monitoring these resources individually to avoid overtaxing the available resources.

Software also requires monitoring to make sure its optimal performance. This includes knowing what software is installed in addition to what programs and applications are consistently running vs which are usually not. This also includes installing updates for the software (when available) based on the present system resources. 

Any company that has servers (physical or virtual) needs server management. It may well be either a direct or indirect need. The difference also relies on the style of server. A customer in a shared hosting or managed virtual server hosting plan is an exception, because the host or third-party service providers handle server management.

For virtual private servers, there’s a mixed need. The hardware stays under the control of the third-party provider, however the software could be partially or completely managed by the client. That’s a key difference between managed vs unmanaged VPS.

Small businesses with just a web-based catalog, extensive social media apps that require server clusters for scale, or organizations that only need a VMware hosting plan to run virtual machines can profit from server management as well.

Web server management activity starts with the bottom configuration of the server, specifically for first-time use. This could include the hardware setup (within the case of physical or hybrid servers), operating system installation, and installing the applications and programs needed to run the server.

With a server up and running, the subsequent step is monitoring all activities happening on the server.

Depending on the organization’s specific needs, server management could be taken care of internally or externally. Let’s say the corporate has dedicated on-premises servers. An in-house technician (or IT department) can handle the initial setup and monitoring. After that, the corporate can either proceed to handle all the pieces, or they’ll hire a third-party company to observe the server’s functioning and performance.

When the servers are on the cloud or hybrid, the management is generally hybrid as well or handled completely by an external IT technician or team. Knowing the difference between cloud servers vs physical servers can enable you to make a better-informed decision on what server management strategy is best in your organization.

Alternatively, external monitoring may also check with software that remotely monitors the server activity and uptime while being managed by an internal team. An in-house technician can still monitor the servers from wherever they’re positioned.

The activities involved in server management could be different based on the server type. Listed here are probably the most common ones:

When the organization goes to establish its first server or network, the very first thing is to establish the server(s) in query. This could include assembling some parts of the server and installing the operating system that may control the server.

After the setup, each the software and hardware will must be configured. This is usually done within the operating system to discover the available components and be prepared to integrate with the software that may complement its functioning. 

Performance monitoring refers to logging how all of the components and software are performing through the day-to-day operations. This includes checking for any downtime, unexpected issues, etc.

Infrequently, server software (including the operating system) receives updates so as to add recent features, improve the present features, fix issues that will arise, etc. Keeping the software up thus far is an important a part of server management.

In the identical updates mentioned above, it’s possible you’ll find security fixes. Also, it can be crucial to put in security monitoring programs to verify that there isn’t a breach in your server. These can lead to a knowledge leak, unwanted users, etc.

Lastly, it’s crucial to maintain your system backed up with several restoration points. If an unexpected outage happens, it is healthier to be protected than sorry. With backups in place, you may restore your data and track down the explanation for the difficulty.

Should you are wondering manage servers, there are tools that may aid you. These are mostly software programs that help monitor the server performance, activities and issues, updates for the installed software applications, performing backups, etc.

These tools are an incredible help to avoid checking each aspect of the server manually.

A few of the most relevant tools for managing servers are:

• Server Density: An intelligent web services security platform and proactive monitoring tool for securing on-premises and cloud-based servers. It covers Linux and Windows servers, AWS, and Azure-based cloud servers.

• Checkmk: An IT Infrastructure monitoring software for Linux-based:
  • Applications.
  • Networks.
  • Cloud infrastructures.
  • Containers.
  • Storage.
  • Databases.
  • Environment sensors.
  • Servers.

Checkmk is developed in Python and C++ and is offered in each free and paid versions.

• Zabbix: A free system monitor that tracks CPU activity, memory, I/O error rates, disk space, fan status, general temperature, and power supply performance in your servers. It is offered for a big selection of operating systems like Windows, Debian, CentOS, Oracle Linux, Rocky Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Raspberry Pi OS, and others.

• Server Manager: Windows-based server management console that helps IT technicians manage and monitor servers, regardless of whether these are on-premises or cloud-based. It’s integrated into the Windows Admin Center.

• Nagios: An open-source server tool that monitors server and network performance. Each free and paid options can be found, and the paid option offers a free trial. It is offered for Linux and Windows.

• Ganglia: An open-source and BSD-licensed tool for managing servers specially designed for high-performing clusters. 

Yow will discover outstanding advantages with server management:

• Reliability: Your online business relies on the servers performing properly and the monitoring being as accurate as possible. With on-call technical support and assistance from a licensed expert, your environment stays stable.

• Effectiveness: Effective server management means replacing obligatory hardware before failure and backing up your data efficiently.

• Security and peace of mind: Server management provides security in knowing that software updates and patches are accomplished.

• Cost savings: Effective management of your server implies that your overall maintenance costs remain low.

Drawbacks in server management are more specific on a case-by-case basis. There isn’t an actual drawback in server management because, ultimately, in case your organization relies on servers or a network, you would like server management.

Nonetheless, there are cases where it’s possible you’ll not profit from internal server management. You’ll have an in-house technician or IT department, but you could ensure they’ve the newest training, one of the best tools with licenses, etc. With external server management, you don’t must worry about this stuff.

Server management is a posh but essential process for running your network easily. By understanding the fundamentals of server management and implementing the appropriate tools, you may keep your online business protected and secure.

Selecting any of Liquid Web’s managed hosting plans awards you full server management included completely at no additional cost to you. This implies you get a team of experts monitoring your server with one of the best tools within the industry, top-of-the-class server resources, and unbeatable technical support. 

Liquid Web offers a 100% network and power uptime guarantee and a 1,000% treatment for any downtime incurred.

The Most Helpful Humans In Hosting® are a few of one of the best support technicians, system administrators, and server managers on the planet. Contact us today.