What is Server Management? {+Server Management Tasks}

This article is a decision maker’s guide to server management. Read on to learn about the main aspects of server management and see how SMBs and enterprises keep their data storages healthy and efficient.

Server Management Definition

Server management is the process of administering a server to ensure optimal and safe performance. The main objective of this IT activity is to keep the server and its associated systems in a desired, consistent state.

Managing a server requires various administrative and maintenance tasks. The staff needs to:

Minimize server slowdowns and downtime.

• Maintain server hardware and address technical problems.
• Keep software up to date.
• Design and implement system structures.
• Monitor apps running on the server by tracking status, uptime, and recurring issues.
• Perform troubleshooting.
• Run fault management tests.
• Implement robust backup strategies and cybersecurity solutions.
• Monitor server traffic for suspicious activity.
• Ensure servers keep up with requirements as business needs evolve.
• Depending on the size of the IT setup, server management can be the task of a single admin or an entire team. Although an admin could manage the server in-house, many companies choose to outsource it. Different providers offer different services, so choose a vendor that meets your requirements.

Want to take the operational burden off your team? Both servers in data centers and those in the cloud need some sort of management. There are three types of servers that a team is likely to manage:

• Webservers that host websites.
• Virtual servers running on VMs.
• Database servers that store large amounts of data.
• Application servers that store and run web apps and plug-ins.
• Server Management Tasks
• The goal of server management is to improve efficiency and performance while ensuring the safety of IT operations. Below are the main tasks a team needs to account for in their server management strategy.
• Setup and Configuration
• Setting up the server and configuring software, add-ons, and functionalities is a core aspect of server management.
• The setup process varies for different server types. A server administrator must be able to configure a physical server and one that runs on a VM hosted in a third party cloud. A server that hosts blogs, for example, requires a platform that is different from a website offering e-commerce. Set up network configuration and communications.

Work on package management.

Update the installation and patch potential vulnerabilities.

Set up network configuration and communications.

• Work on package management.
• Update the installation and patch potential vulnerabilities.
• Prevent clock drift via NTP configuration.
• Set up a firewall and iptables to minimize external footprint.
• Set up SSH to protect remote sessions.
• Work on daemon configuration to reduce the attack surface.
• Protect the kernel and apps with SELinux.
• Set up a logging system.
• Business needs dictate server configuration. An admin must review all business, hosting, and server requirements to determine the correct settings and specifications.
• Precise capacity planning is vital to server management. An admin must consider all specifications when setting up hardware. Excess storage and processing ensure good performance but can also lead to unnecessary upfront costs and energy usage.
• Hardware Management
• Keeping hardware in good health is a vital aspect of in-house server management. All systems and operations that depend on the server may have problems if it does not have reliable hardware. A server admin must monitor three primary hardware components:
• The central processing unit (CPU):

Overusing the CPU can lead to various problems. A CPU that is close to 100% usage overtaxes it, leaving no room for additional tasks and slowing down the server. Admins typically upgrade the chip, add more CPUs, or stop unnecessary programs to handle an overused CPU.

Random-access memory (RAM):

RAM is a server’s working memory that operates faster than a hard drive. The more RAM that a server has the better it can perform. Hard drive:

A server’s hard drive is the permanent storage of programs, backups, and data. Performance can take a hit when a hard drive works at maximum capacity, so admins must add drives or delete unnecessary data when disks fill up.

• Monitoring the server’s temperature also falls under hardware management. Admins typically rely on wired thermometers and cooling fans to prevent devices from overheating.If you host your servers in the cloud, the staff does not need to worry about hardware maintenance. Only if a VM is running in an internal private cloud can you host a dedicated server. In that case, you need an admin to keep the dedicated hardware in good shape.
• Software ManagementJust like hardware, server software requires regular monitoring and maintenance. An admin must:
• Understand software dependencies within the infrastructure.Keep software, firmware, and the operating system up to date with the latest patches.

Know how to search for software vulnerabilities that could lead to a potential data breach.

Uninstall old and inactive programs the team no longer uses.

Ensure developers constantly update the code to remove bugs and weaknesses.

Most companies use Linux servers as this open-source platform is the most economical and secure OS for servers. Windows-based companies often have applications that are only compatible with that OS. Whatever the OS, the admin needs to keep the system up to date with the latest patches to prevent cyberattacks.

• Unsure what OS to use on your server? Our head-to-head comparison of Linux and Windows servers outlines the factors you need to make an informed decision.
• Server Monitoring
• Constant monitoring helps an admin keep a server safe and working at peak performance. Metric tracking and analysis allow the team to identify and prevent issues before they affect business-critical systems.
• Monitoring hardware is vital. An admin needs live data evaluation that provides real-time feedback in terms of:
• Processor usage.
• Memory utilization.

• Server room temperature.

Hardware monitoring aside, an admin should monitor processes running on the server and track how much resources each process consumes. The team must also keep track of the following parameters to guarantee top performance:

• Page load time.
• Database lags.
• Service up-time.
• Robust server management also requires reviewing access logs, unusual traffic spikes, and unauthorized login attempts. Odd logins and traffic behavior are clear signs of possible intrusion attempts.
• Alerts are a mandatory aspect of robust server monitoring. An administrator typically sets benchmarks based on heavy traffic, disk usage or overheating. If the server breaches a specific threshold, a notification via SMS or email alerts the staff.

Our article about server monitoring tools analyzes the best options on the market and helps you pick the right tool for your IT team.

• Server Security
• Maintaining a secure network also falls under server management. While security policies and requirements differ between industries, an average admin needs to:
• Our article about server security teaches simple and effective ways to boost your server’s safety.

Backup and Recovery

Regular data backups are essential to the security of servers and the information they host. Backups can be run either on an internal physical infrastructure or the cloud. In both scenarios, an admin should use an immutable backup to ensure data remains safe even if intruders breach the server.

• Back up data multiple times a day.
• Use network segmentation to separate the backup from other systems.

• Limit editing permissions.
• Regularly scan backups for malicious data.

Optimize RTO (Recovery Time Objective) and RPO (Recovery Point Objective) to ensure a smooth user experience during backup.

• The server’s power supply also needs a backup. A reserve power supply ensures you do not lose data or experience downtime in case of a power outage.
• Who Needs Server Management?
• Every business that owns or relies on a server requires server management. Server management is essential for any business, whether it’s a one-person operation or a large enterprise with multiple data centers. If you have the right personnel, you can manage servers on your own. If you decide to manage servers in-house, you will need a tool that automates processes and provides insights into your equipment. Not all solutions offer the same features, however, so consider the following factors when looking for the right tool:
• Ensure the solution can work with all server types and apps in your stack.
• Look for a program with an intuitive UI and visualization capabilities that simplify advanced tasks.
• The software should allow the team to set thresholds and custom alerts.

The tool should provide an abundance of detailed, thorough data about the state of the server.

Consider how much training the staff will require before they start using the tool.

Look for a solution that offers rich automation features that streamline workflow and help employees save time.

Some companies choose to rely on a mix of in-house management and outsourcing. A popular option is to have the in-house staff handle software and hardware management while an outsourced expert works on server security and backups.

Learn about server automation, how to achieve it and how your business can benefit from it.

• Advantages of Server Management Services
• Choosing to hire a service provider to drive your server management has many benefits. Here are the most notable reasons why outsourcing a server admin is a good investment:
• Top-tier experts:
• Providers specialize in server management, so third-party admins have more experience than an average in-house team.
• Lower operational costs:
• Most server management services are subscription-based. An average monthly or yearly fee is far less expensive than investing in an in-house team of full-time personnel.

Reliable support:

Eliminate time-consuming tasks:

Managing a server requires consistent monitoring, optimization, and analysis. Assigning these time-consuming duties to a vendor allows your staff to focus on more impactful tasks.

• Faster turnaround: If you side with the right partner, the turnaround time for server setups and updates is always quick.
• Server Management is Not OptionalEffective server management prevents downtime, security breaches, and performance issues. Effective server management prevents downtime, security breaches, and performance issues.