Any organization operating servers needs to ensure they’re up and running as desired at all times, to their optimal performance. However, for large companies, this often means managing and monitoring large groups of IT assets across multiple geographic locations – which can be a difficult task for those no au fait with such processes.
Third party specialists such as Procurri exist to help those without the in-house capability to manage their own servers and data centers. But how do such services work? Let our expert teams explain…
What is Server Management?
Server Management is the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of servers to ensure they’re working as expected. This is both physical and virtual, ensuring not only the actual physical upkeep of hardware but also the management of software, security and back-up systems as well as the management of Virtual Machines (VMs).
When managed in-house by an organization, server management tends to only extend to the monitoring of equipment, with intervention only when required to avoid disruption or downtime. However, third party maintenance companies such as Procurri extend these services further to include:
- Pro-active monitoring to identify issues before they escalate (or in some cases, before they even occur!)
- Updates to software
- Upgrades to hardware and the installation of spare parts where needed
- The redistribution of assets to ensure optimal performance
- Capacity planning
- Consolidation planning.
Why is Server Management Important?
Server infrastructure is a critical part of business activity as without it most essential IT functions can’t operate. This includes emails, trading applications, data storage and application handling. If a server is experiencing downtime or service disruption, these activities will be delayed or entirely unavailable.
There are very few organizations that are able to operate without IT function, and so for most, the survival of a firm is reliant on proper server management to provide end user services.
What’s the Difference between Physical Servers and Virtual Servers?
In the last few years, virtual servers have gained mainstream popularity and so now operate alongside physical servers regularly.
Physical servers are standalone hardware systems that operate in a data center and run on a single OS (Operating System). They have their own dedicated hardware components such as RAM, storage and CPU installed, and are tailored to initiate and run specific tasks. The server operator has full control over all of their hardware, software and security configurations, which allows for consistent performance.
Physical servers are physically isolated from other data center components, which can result in easier heightened security. However, scaling physical servers can be challenging and their higher upfront costs often means they’re more expensive to run than Virtual Machines.
Virtual servers (VMs) are servers that don’t physically exist as such, and share the resources of a physical server. Created using virtualization software, VMs can run multiple servers simultaneously on a single physical server.
The virtualization of servers allows for flexibility and easy scalability, with quick resource allocation and adaptation to dynamic workloads. However, performance can be a little strained under heavy workloads as the resources being utilized are shared, and this can also lead to slightly increased security vulnerabilities. This said, the upfront costs of setting up VMs are low compared to physical servers, and their maintenance remains the same as their power and cooling needs are reduced.
While it is often considered that VMs are the most modern and easy server type to operate (not least because of their streamlined cost; an often appreciated factor by businesses), large virtual server farms can be complex to manage. This is why not all servers are now virtualized, as many organizations prefer dedicated, latest generation hardware to run their top critical applications. Of course, this is before you consider that at least one physical server will be needed to run VMs from – even if this machine doesn’t happen to be on-site with the organization.
The Principles of Enterprise Server Management
There are five areas of server management that should be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure optimal performance and administration. These are:
Server Deployment and Configuration
While many consider server deployment to only be relevant during an initial setup period, it actually is also a process undergone during refreshes and upgrades. Many organizations choose to work with specialist deployment service providers such as Procurri, particularly when dealing with large-scale or multi-site implementations.
To create the best possible server management, all deployments and configurations should be consistent and streamlined, no matter how complex the process may be. In the case of the migration of physical servers to VMs (now a very common practice given their popularity), the process is particularly convoluted – involving the deployment of a hypervisor to oversee the resource sharing. This, combined with the additional security and business continuity requirements of VMs means that this often proves too burdensome a task for small in-house IT teams, and so specialist firms are better placed to manage it.
Hardware Monitoring
The monitoring of hardware and its ongoing management allows for IT assets to perform at their optimum levels, providing the desired level of service for end users. Manually, this involves checking in regularly to keep all systems up and running as expected, However, a more efficient approach is to invest into proactive monitoring services.
Proactive monitoring allows for the identification of unstable performance or disruption before it occurs. This is done by constantly monitoring CPUs, supplementing RAM when needed and ensuring that hard drives don’t reach their maximum capacity.
The most efficient way to ensure that disruption and downtime is absolutely minimized is to use a proactive hardware monitoring and management service such as Procurri.
Software Monitoring
It’s not just hardware that needs monitoring – you need to keep an eye on software too! Software is monitored to allow for the provision and installation of any required maintenance, firmware updates and security patches. OEMs release several updates and patches per year to help improve the security of their products, and these must be treated as a priority.
In the case of an OEM no longer offering support when a server has passed its EOSL point, Third Party Maintenance providers such as Procurri can offer seamless support with the same high level of software monitoring and management.
Security Management
Security is key for servers, as they often hold business critical and share sensitive information, as well as a great deal of personal data. Security provisions should be regularly monitored and updated, including:
- Anti-virus software
- Firewall installation
- Password security
- Sensitive data encryption
- Monitoring and remediation reporting tools to identify suspicious activity.
Recovery Management
Even with the utmost of efforts made to maintain service, there is always the risk of downtime – and businesses need to be prepared with rapid and comprehensive business continuity and back-up planning should the worst occur. Recovery management should involve regular and reliable server backup windows to provide seamless rollbacks and backup for both physical and virtual machines. Disaster recovery and regulatory planning responsibilities can then be efficiently and robustly implemented on the back of this solid foundation.
Why involve Procurri with Server Management?
Procurri specialize in data center management and monitoring, worldwide. But why opt for us over any other service provider? Let us explain…
- Procurri operates on a ‘follow-the-sun’ model to provide 24/7 support, 365 days a year
- We offer immediate access to both Level 3 & 4 engineers and technicians – who can visit sites physically as well as offering remote support
- We offer customizable SLAs to allow our service to tailor to your business’ needs
- We guarantee minimal end user downtime
- Our expertise spans all major OEMs and a myriad of complex custom configurations, taking the burden away from inexperienced or under-resourced in-house IT teams
- We hold the largest global stockholding of new and refurbished data center hardware worldwide; ideal for the rapid sourcing and installation of spare parts
- We operate in over 200 countries globally
- We frequently extend the lifecycle of server hardware by years through our provision of post-EOSL Third Party Maintenance
- Somewhat surprisingly for an IT hardware firm, we operate entirely on a Carbon Neutral basis, so customers can list a sustainable supplier on their ESG reporting
- Our proactive monitoring service allows us to identify issues before they escalate – and sometimes before they even happen!
Get in touch with the Procurri team today to discuss your server management needs… and let us share our knowledge and services with you.