How Well Managed Is Your Server?

Posted By: ServerSpace Limited
25th June 2010

A look at systems management tools

Data Centres are the hub of any company that provides managed servers. If a data centre has the right server management tools, it is likely that your server or servers will be well managed and you are less likely to experience server crashes, resulting in your website crashing and you losing potential sales. If clients cannot access your site, they cannot buy or make enquiries.

ServerSpace, the leading providers of managed hosting services, recommend you look for certain things when shopping for a good hosting company, before you sign any agreement.

Security Tools

Does the company you are interested in have good server management tools? This includes a secure data centre and basic security features such as round the clock network and systems monitoring, the latest security systems in place, basic CCTVs and secure access control.

Server Management Tools

Are the servers set up in the right way? Servers do not just work as isolated, stand-alone units. A hosting company is likely to have groups of servers and they all need to be properly organised to be able to work well together. A single server does not need infrastructure tools but if a company is hosting thousands of servers, they certainly do. The tools are, of course, products, and the list below is by no means exhaustive. If the company can tick even a few of these, you are well on your way to getting a good service.

• Data Management
• Desktop Management
• Disaster Recovery
• EnterpriseSystem Management
• File Transfer Management
• Job Automation and Scheduling
• License Management
• Network Management
• Performance (Load and Stress) Testing
• Patch and Update Management
• Print Management
• Security Management
• Storage Management
• User Management
• Web Systems Management
• Email Hosting

Whether your business is large or small, whether you see yourself as a computer scientist or a complete technophobe, you should, ideally, have an idea of what your dedicated server management company needs to have to be able to support its (and your) servers. For example, where the servers are located, what they are doing and some information about their configuration; what hardware and software they are running. After you have established this, you can move on to the list above and research some of the different elements. If you spot any gaps or problems, be wary of signing on without clarifying as you may be paying out too much for a half-hearted service.