Servers are often thought of as enigmas that baffle end users and managers. They are these boxes that exist somewhere but rarely are ever seen. In truth, they are nothing more then a specialized computer.
Many years ago, servers were massive, highly complex machines that existed in special data centers or server rooms. Unless you were one of the few people who had access to them, they remained largely a mystery.
Today though, servers can be equally complex machines or as simple as a small computer in a back room. They often run on site now and have become integral parts of many day-to-day operations in a business.
Really a “server” is nothing more than computer running software that’s used by other people. This can be things like websites, email, and phone systems or very specialized software specific to your business.
Managing Servers
Managing these machines can still be a chore though, because while they often are similar to normal computers, they in many ways are not normal. These machines are relied on by many users, so redundancy and availability are usually important factors. Things like power failures or disk failures shouldn’t cripple a well-designed server.
The software that these machines run can be unique as well. Some run a version of Windows specifically for server use, while many more use Linux. These machines often require special knowledge and tools to communicate with and manage and can be daunting to most people.
Server Security
Another key aspect of managing servers is their security. Since these machines are used by others, they are at a unique risk for viruses and attackers. Part of their operation relies on other people connecting to them, which can introduce new vulnerabilities and security concerns.
Maintaining the security of servers is critical as well because these often contain sensitive information that could be misused. From trade secrets, to employee files, the data on a server can be of great use to attackers.
How Gateway Systems Can Help
Gateway Systems understands the critical role servers play in modern businesses. We put reliability and security at the forefront of any server management project, and continue to work after the initial installation to ensure the latest updates are applied and best practices followed.
