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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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