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What is Server Maintenance?

Charity Delich
Charity Delich

Server maintenance involves keeping a server updated and running so that a computer network can operate smoothly. Properly maintaining a server is usually the task of a network administrator, and it is vital to the performance of the network. If maintenance is not conducted on a computer network, regardless of whether the network is small or large, application software usually will not run as well as expected. In some cases, a network may even experience total or partial network failure if proper maintenance is not conducted.

Maintaining a server requires a network administrator to conduct preventive maintenance. Essentially, this means that the administrator must review the server's performance as well as any potential security risks and backup protocols at regular intervals. As part of this, he or she typically ensures that automated system monitoring utilities are installed and appropriately configured. These utilities often come with the server’s hardware package.

Server maintenance is necessary to ensure the proper performance of a network.
Server maintenance is necessary to ensure the proper performance of a network.

Even with automated utilities in place, a solid server maintenance plan requires several basic steps. First, the administrator usually conducts a thorough examination of the network, including checking server log files, hard disk space, folder permissions, and redundancy. This review typically also includes monitoring network temperature applications to ensure the server does not get too hot. If a machine overheats, vital equipment like the central processing unit, memory, or motherboard can be affected.

Occasionally, an administrator must review the server's performance as well as any potential security risks and backup protocols at regular intervals.
Occasionally, an administrator must review the server's performance as well as any potential security risks and backup protocols at regular intervals.

Security and application functionality should also be examined. If required, security patches should be installed on individual computers within the network to ensure that data is secure. The review should also include reading server logs for evidence of computer hacking attempts or security alerts. In addition, the administrator should ensure that antivirus software is updated on all of the computers in the network.

During server maintenance, any essential service packs and software updates should be installed on the network computers. Typically, this work can be done after working hours so that network user activity is not disturbed. When necessary, a system correction, system restoration, or hardware component replacement may also need to be made.

A comprehensive backup plan should also be included. In the event of a system failure, the backup data will be vital in helping the network users retrieve their stored information. Depending on what kind of data is stored on a server, it may need to be backed up daily, weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. A good backup plan should always be tested regularly to ensure that it will meet data recovery requirements.

Discussion Comments

barryherne

Server maintenance is an operation that should be done only by the professionals and it is always better to have some kind of server monitoring software, like Anturis, to check every operation of the server in order not to have a crashed server or anything of the kind.

anon324421

I'm interested in starting a website that does not keep a log of who visits it, in order for users to protect their speech and keep their anonymity. Is it possible to run a website where the server records are deleted daily?

anon170926

correction, server maintenance is usually be done by systems administrators and should clear all the machines on the network, but he/she can ask individual users to update their computer in the data base, but regular checkups for individual machines should be done by systems administrators on a weekly basis.

aaaCookie

Some level of server maintenance also needs to be done by individuals; while not responsible, usually, for the overall server on which they access the internet, they often need to maintain their own routers and the connection of their computers. Just one person on a server who does not protect their machines against viruses could possibly spread a computer problem to everyone else, if there isn't adequate security on the server.

anon166891

Correction: Properly maintaining a server is usually the task of a "systems" administrator, and it is vital to the performance of the network.

Network Administrators do just that, they administer the Networking (Routers, Switches, Firewall etc.).

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    • Server maintenance is necessary to ensure the proper performance of a network.
      By: Kadmy
      Server maintenance is necessary to ensure the proper performance of a network.
    • Occasionally, an administrator must review the server's performance as well as any potential security risks and backup protocols at regular intervals.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Occasionally, an administrator must review the server's performance as well as any potential security risks and backup protocols at regular intervals.