Server management

Servers are devices which connect to other devices to provide services. The other devices are known as clients, and this setup is known as the client-server model.

Services offered by servers include storing data, hosting websites, running applications, relaying information, and performing computations. Any device that offers services to clients that make requests can act as a server, but large IT organizations usually have specialized server devices which have sturdier hardware and software to operate reliably over extended periods of time and handle large loads.

Since most server operations directly impact end users, server performance issues need to be identified and fixed without any delay. This places server management among the most important functions of network monitoring.

• What is server management?
• What are the different types of servers?
• Why is server management necessary?
• Comprehensive server management with OpManager
• What makes OpManager the perfect server management software

Server management includes all activities performed to optimize server performance and minimize downtime. Server management involves two basic steps: network monitoring and server maintenance. Network monitoring tools will poll network devices, including servers, in periodic time intervals. Any discrepancies are alerted to the IT admins who perform server maintenance operations to restore normal functioning.

• Web servers: Web servers store website information and send that information to any client devices that request websites using web browsers.
• Application servers: Application servers allow client devices to use applications on web browsers over the internet or a local network.
• Virtual server: Virtual servers host two or more virtual devices in a single host server for effective hardware utilization.
• File server: These act as storage servers by storing files and folders over the network. Client devices can request resources from the server.
• Database server: These are another type of storage server, but rather than individual files they store large sections of organized data or databases.
• Mail server: Mail servers are used to store and relay customer e-mails.

Servers play key roles in day to day network operations, and improper management can lead to overtaxing of servers as well as performance degradation. Some server resources could also be under-utilized, which is a waste of revenue. To manage every aspect of a server, a network admin must have deep visibility into its performance and health as well as which services and processes are running inside it. There are various issues that necessitate server management:

• Hardware issues
• Software issues
• Data backup
• Server security

• CPU utilization: Server CPU utilization is an important metric which impacts performance. When the CPU utilization approaches maximum usage, performance degradation becomes evident. This is usually caused by certain processes or services that overtax the CPU.
• Disk space: Just like the CPU, disk space must also be monitored regularly. Network admins have to perform capacity planning in advance and must either free up space or get new inventory. If this isn't done, disk space will get exhausted and network operations will become disrupted.
• CPU temperature: Servers generate a lot of heat as they operate. If they get too hot, their performance can take a turn for the worse. While most servers are equipped with temperature sensors and cooling systems, its safer to manage it proactively.
• Memory utilization: High demand software, processes, and services utilize a lot of RAM. Without proper monitoring or management, memory utilization approaches its capacity and server performance is affected. Network admins have to manage memory utilization by eliminating some services that aren't necessary.
• Remote datacenter management: As most IT infrastructures are hybrid nowadays, remote datacenters hosting server arrays aren't uncommon. These data centers need to be regulated environments where temperature, humidity, and access have to be controlled.

Servers must also be monitored for software issues as they can affect server performance and availability just like hardware issues. Along with critical processes necessary for server functioning, services like Windows services must also be monitored and managed. Old software and firmware must regularly be updated to avoid performance degradation.

Server management is necessary to keep track of the services and processes running inside server arrays, manage their operations, and keep track of software upgradation.

Data backups ensure that key data isn't lost in case servers go down due to internal issues or during power outages. Backing up key data manually can be a very exhausting task for IT admins, especially considering that it has to be done frequently. Several automatic data backup tools are available in the market for continuous high availability back-ups. In case the server goes down, the back-ups kick in to resume normal operation.

Since servers handle sensitive information regarding companies and their customers, they are susceptible to attacks by malicious actors. For instance, an airline ticketing server could be targeted by hackers as it can contain passengers' personal information, credit card numbers, and itineraries.

Servers can be protected against attacks in multiple ways, such as installing anti-virus software, implementing log monitoring practices to alert of abnormal activities, changing passwords regularly, encouraging strong security culture among employees, and placing server arrays behind firewalls to protect them from external networks.

Server management is concerned with security as well. Any deviation from normal server activities can be indicative of an attack. Servers could also have system vulnerabilities that need to be discovered and rectified.

Server management is necessary for continued high performance operation with minimal downtime for servers. A good server management tool polls the devices in its network and generates real-time alerts regarding emerging issues. IT admins can then rectify the issues after tracking down the root cause.

A comprehensive server management tool not only alerts admins regarding server issues, but also helps enforce server maintenance activities. ManageEngine's network monitoring solution, OpManager, fulfills that promise. It is a comprehensive server management tool that monitors network devices like routers, switches, storage devices, and virtual devices, but it has a special emphasis for server monitoring and management.

• Availability
• Over 200 performance metrics
• Services and Windows services
• Processes
• Websites/URLs
• Sys logs and event logs