8 Ways to Enhance Server Management

Good server management keeps your servers fast, secure, and running longer. The 8 most effective steps are to rack-mount servers properly, keep them in a separate room, monitor hardware, keep them cool, update software, organize wiring, secure them, and back up data. If you would rather not manage servers yourself, a managed server moves this work to a provider. 

Managing your servers can streamline the performance of your team by allowing them to complete complex tasks faster. Plus, it can enable them to detect problems early on before they get out of hand and compromise your business. As a result, the risk of experiencing operational setbacks is drastically lower. 

But the only way to make the most of your server management is to perform it correctly. And to help you do so, this article will share nine tips on improving your server management. 

8 Tips to Enhance Server Management

1. Mount the Servers Properly 

Small businesses often need to prioritize immediate concerns over long-term plans because they need to work on tight budgets. This is particularly evident in terms of server management. 

When you first set up your servers, it might be tempting to connect them near your workstations. However, this can harm your hardware. 

Mounting your servers in racks is a much better solution. It can shield them from accidents in high-traffic areas, tripping hazards, spills, and dirt. 

Furthermore, server racks can help keep the hardware safe by organizing it in an accessible area that facilitates management and cleaning. They also limit the exposure to regular wear and tear in the office. 

Another critical consideration is to plan for the future when installing your servers. 

When selecting a rack mount, be sure there’s enough room to expand your hardware. Unless your office is tiny, having half-empty racks is preferred to tearing them down and redesigning them a few years down the line. 

2. Separate Your Servers from Your Main Area

Depending on the type of servers, they can get quite noisy when in operation. On top of that, they can comprise valuable hardware. So, you’ll want to separate them physically from the working premises. 

If you can’t afford a designated server room, invest in secure rack mounts with integrated sound reduction. Protect the room with a UPS so brownouts do not shut servers down mid-task.

3. Take Care of Your Server Management Hardware

Hardware maintenance plays a pivotal role in server management. Without dependable hardware, your productivity can plunge. 

To avoid this scenario, you need to monitor the essential components of your server: 

• CPU (Central Processing Unit) – Your CPU is the core of your servers, performing all calculations for running programs. You need to constantly monitor it to prevent overuse. If it operates near 100% of its power, your team members can’t carry out additional tasks due to slowdowns. It may require chip upgrades or performance tuning to alleviate the stress. 
• RAM (Random Access Memory) – This is the working memory of your server, as it runs faster than hard disks. The more RAM you have, the higher the performance of your device. Closely monitor its usage and add more memory when it gets close to its full capacity. 
• Hard drive – The hard drive is the permanent storage of your servers. It saves your data and programs, but its performance can diminish with overuse. Proper hard disk management entails keeping track of the available space, deleting unnecessary files, installing new drives, or including cloud-based solutions.

4. Employ Frequent Cooling 

You expect your servers to perform fast, but the only way to ensure this is to provide optimal conditions. That said, you should primarily focus on cooling the servers. Excess heat can dramatically decrease their lifespan. 

The best practice here is to make sure your cooling device operates outside your building. 

Additionally, if you experience a power outage or central air doesn’t work at night, you need a cooling solution that can run on backup power. 

In the Philippines’ heat and humidity, a dedicated air-conditioned room and a temperature alarm are worth the cost.

5. Manage and Maintain Your Software 

Software used for your server requires regular maintenance, too. The key is to perform regular updates and delete old software to enhance performance. Your servers will operate better, and there will be fewer vulnerabilities cybercriminals can exploit to access your network.

6. Arrange the Wiring Neatly

The amount of wiring in your server setup can be overwhelming, especially if you have no technical experience. Sorting out the mess not only improves cleanliness, but it can also help boost the performance of your server viability for future upgrades. 

Keep in mind that whenever you’re removing, rearranging, or installing your cables, label and group them neatly. Doing so helps prevent clutter. 

A labeled structured cabling system makes this much easier; see the benefits of structured cabling

7. Pay Special Attention to Security

As previously mentioned, servers can be susceptible to cyberattacks. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain a secure system. Here’s what you should do: 

• Install and update antivirus software. 
• Repel unauthorized traffic with firewalls. 
• Use robust access control software or sound password policies and instruct your users to change them regularly. 
• Encrypt external networks and data storage. 
• Incorporate SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools. 
• Analyze and implement security logging measures to understand potential threats. 
• Combine these with our managed cybersecurity solutions.

8. Back up Your Data

The final part of robust server management is backing up your data regularly. After all, loss of information can be disastrous, harming your reputation and losing your customers. Backups are a core part of any business continuity plan.

Besides backing up server software and hardware, you should also have a backup for your power supply to prevent data losses during power outages. Moreover, you can integrate with various tools to expedite backups, recoveries, and status monitoring. 

Look for software that covers both your IT architecture and operating system. It needs to work across systems and applications you currently have or plan on installing. Additionally, it should diagnose server issues efficiently with powerful analytic capabilities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is server management? 

The ongoing work of keeping servers running well: monitoring hardware, applying updates, managing security, organizing the server room, and backing up data. 

How do you keep a server room cool? 

Use a dedicated air-conditioned room, keep airflow clear, install temperature alarms, and avoid placing servers near windows or heat sources. 

How often should servers be updated? 

Apply security patches as soon as they are tested and released, and review the full system at least monthly. 

Should a small business manage its own servers? 

Only if it has the skills and time. Many small businesses move to cloud services or a managed server instead. 

Need help managing your servers? 

CloudConsole monitors, updates, and secures servers for businesses in Metro Manila, backed by 24/7 IT support. Contact us for a free quote.