Servers are an indispensable element of any business’s information technology systems. They facilitate information aggregation and help deliver improved results, but if neglected they can become problematic.

Implementing effective Business Server Support can reduce the risk of unexpected data loss and downtime, and ensure core business functions remain available. Explore what business servers are and how to maintain them.

Choosing the Right Server

Every modern business must eventually acquire server hardware for file sharing and access to key applications, among other needs. When this time arrives, IT departments must assess which options best meet those of their company.

As there are various servers to consider – physical ones located onsite to cloud-based ones hosted remotely – choosing one often comes down to budget and scalability needs of your company.

Servers offer companies the capability of storing vast amounts of business data, making them an attractive solution. Unfortunately, servers are vulnerable to technical issues that could force it offline for hours or days at a time; therefore it’s imperative to choose a server provider who guarantees 24/7 uptime – one who offers quick interventions should an outage occur is an added bonus.

Installation

Businesses without proper server support are vulnerable to data breaches and other security concerns, with company files becoming publicly exposed online and leading to potential financial losses for your company. Therefore, it is crucial for any business to invest in having a server that is regularly maintained and managed.

Installing a business server involves carefully considering your current network and hardware to make sure the OS will work with it, before installing and configuring it to meet your data environment needs. This can be an intensive task requiring significant knowledge about servers and operating systems as well as years of practice to master.

Configuration

Configuration is one of the key aspects of Business Server Support services. This involves making sure that the server has all of the essential features for your business – this could include firewall, remote access and authentication requirements for team members.

As part of your server configuration process, the next step should be selecting an operating system appropriate to its needs. This decision is key as servers use specific software designed for handling multiple users simultaneously.

Linux and Windows are among the most widely-used server operating systems. Both options provide great benefits for small businesses, although each platform comes with unique advantages and drawbacks that an IT expert can help your business navigate. Config involves setting up your computer name and domain name that connects the server with all other computers and websites connected via domain names and IP addresses.

Maintenance

As the core IT network for any business, servers manage and store large volumes of information every day. Therefore, regular hardware cleaning and software patch installation are paramount to keeping them functioning at peak performance; otherwise, an unmaintained server could lead to breakdowns that affect entire departments, costing your business thousands in lost productivity.

An effective preventative maintenance solution to extend the lifespan of server hardware is to implement a preventative maintenance schedule with regular tasks that check hardware logs for warnings or errors, identify overheating issues, and test all components to ensure proper functionality.

Professional server support can save your company both money and downtime by regularly backing up files and updating software, safeguarding business information from hackers while protecting key business documents. Furthermore, professional support helps detect issues early and eliminate costly repairs before they arise – saving both money and keeping operations going.