Server administration – what it is and what it is for
A server is a computer that gives other devices on the network access to data. Servers are fundamental to businesses that want an online presence, so effective server management is essential. The administration service helps to maintain the servers and keep them functional. An administrator is a technician who oversees the company’s servers on a daily basis. Administrators monitor equipment performance and resolve technical problems.
Who will benefit from server administration services
The administration service is ordered by many clients. It’s hard to pinpoint common trends – these are people who don’t want to hire a full-time administrator or get into the process of managing a server. SMBs often lack the resources or expertise to manage their own servers. Outsourcing administration allows them to focus on their core business by ensuring that their servers are properly maintained, secured and optimized.
Even large organizations with in-house IT departments can benefit from server administration services. This helps in-house IT professionals focus on strategic initiatives. Full-time employees can manage domains, install Sectigo or DigiCert SSL certificates, and monitor site performance.
Startups may not have the technical knowledge or resources to administer servers. Outsourcing these services allows them to shed the responsibility of server management and focus on product and service development.
Online businesses rely heavily on servers to process transactions, store sensitive data, and keep stores running smoothly. Efficient server administration services help maintain the reliability, security and performance of online stores, minimizing downtime and increasing customer confidence.
Large educational institutions often have their own servers to manage internal systems, websites, and educational platforms. Server administration services help educational institutions to ensure smooth operation, security and availability of server infrastructure.
In general, server administration services are valuable for anyone who utilizes server hardware for their internet presence, data storage, application hosting, or internal infrastructure. The service allows you to improve server performance and security with minimal investment of resources.
What server administration includes
Server administration includes a range of services related to the management, maintenance and optimization of server systems. Specific tasks may vary depending on the needs of the organization and the complexity of the server environment.
The most common server administration service includes:
- Server installation and configuration. The service involves initial setup, including hardware and operating system installation, configuration and security measures.
- System monitoring and performance optimization. Administrators monitor server performance, resource utilization, and system health to ensure optimal performance. They identify and fix problems that can affect performance, such as hardware failures or software conflicts.
- Safety Management. Administrators implement security measures to protect servers from unauthorized access, data leakage, and illegal activities. This includes managing user accounts, controlling access, implementing firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and applying security updates.
- Backup and disaster recovery. Administrators develop and implement backup strategies to ensure data integrity and availability. They schedule regular backups, test recovery procedures, and create disaster recovery plans to minimize downtime and data loss in the event of system failures.
- Software and application management. Administrators install, configure, and update software applications and services that run on the server. This includes web servers, databases, DNS and other critical software.
- User support and troubleshooting. Administrators provide technical support to customers and resolve issues related to server functionality, connectivity, access, and performance. They diagnose and troubleshoot problems, resolve system errors, and provide timely solutions to minimize downtime.
- Scalability. Administrators evaluate server resource utilization, plan for future growth, and recommend hardware upgrades as needed. They ensure that the server resources are sufficient to handle current and future workloads.
- Documentation and Reports. Administrators maintain detailed documentation of server configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting recommendations. They generate reports on server performance, resource utilization, security incidents, and other important metrics.
- Compliance and regulatory compliance. Administrators ensure that server systems comply with applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements and data protection laws. They implement security measures, data privacy practices, and audit logs to fulfill compliance obligations.
Responsibilities may vary depending on the needs of the organization, the type of servers managed, and the specific server administration services provided.
Server administration service from TutHost includes:
- server monitoring in 24/7 mode;
- providing consultations on server optimization;
- software installation;
- hardware troubleshooting;
- search for program errors;
- security audits and inspections;
- installation of antivirus and antispam protection (at the customer’s request);
- operating system installation (on request);
- regular operating system and software updates;
- backup and restore (on request).
We provide administration services for VPS and dedicated servers hosted in our data centers or at the client’s site. You can also buy SSL certificates from GlobalSign, RapidSSL and other certificate authorities.
Why is server administration so important?
Not all businesses can afford to keep up with all the latest developments in the server industry. Companies that offer administration provide immense help in managing the server infrastructure. They are familiar with all the know-how of the industry, so they can handle the task appropriately.
Efficient administration ensures optimal and reliable operation of the equipment. Proper monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting help identify and correct problems that can affect server performance. The default server settings are inadequate in the long run, so it is crucial to outsource system management to competent professionals.
With constant monitoring, your business will be operating at peak efficiency. You will learn about potential problems in advance and receive advice on how to fix them. If the load on the equipment grows, the administrator will proactively offer to increase the bandwidth.
Any company that wants to manage servers effectively must first decide whether it can manage them on its own, or whether it should outsource the task.
One of the major benefits of delegating server administration is that you can rely on a team of experts without having to hire in-house professionals. Full or partial outsourcing helps companies increase productivity while saving time, money and human resources.