Installing and correctly configuring
a server is one of the most important steps
in having a useful IT infrastructure. All
mission critical data should be stored on
a server and not a desktop,
which makes having a reliable and healthy
server a primary concern for any business.
Server hardware should be selected for quality
and reliability. Servers need to be sized
correctly to ensure their continued use for
many years; they should also be scalable to
handle unexpected demands. Critical servers
should be designed with redundancy in mind;
hot-swappable, redundant components reduce
downtime and ensure against data loss and
business disruption.
Server software should be chosen with the
same care that goes into hardware selection.
Whether using Windows, Solaris, Linux, or
OS/400, installation and configuration can
be a daunting task. Security and auditing
settings are critical in preventing unauthorized
access. Ensuring compatible software and patches
are installed to prevent errors can be difficult.
In the event a disaster does befall a company
a tested and functional backup plan must be
in place and executed. A thorough tape rotation
scheme is needed to ensure that the most recent
company data is stored and available for recovery.
A restoration plan needs to be ready and tested
on a regular basis.
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