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Topic 5 Server Management

This document discusses server management and maintenance. It provides guidelines for [1] purchasing server hardware suited for server use rather than workstation hardware, [2] choosing reliable server vendors with experience designing servers, and [3] understanding the additional costs of server hardware and features. The document also covers [3] considering maintenance contracts and spare parts to minimize downtime for critical servers. Homogeneous server environments are easier to manage but heterogeneous environments provide more flexibility.

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Franz Lee Ramos
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86 views11 pages

Topic 5 Server Management

This document discusses server management and maintenance. It provides guidelines for [1] purchasing server hardware suited for server use rather than workstation hardware, [2] choosing reliable server vendors with experience designing servers, and [3] understanding the additional costs of server hardware and features. The document also covers [3] considering maintenance contracts and spare parts to minimize downtime for critical servers. Homogeneous server environments are easier to manage but heterogeneous environments provide more flexibility.

Uploaded by

Franz Lee Ramos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPSX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IT-SA01

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE


Racquel L. Pula, MSIT
TOPIC 5: SERVER MANAGEMENT
THE BASIC
Hardware sold for cloud use differs from the equipment sold for use as a sole
workstation qualitatively.
Server hardware has different characteristics, and is designed for a different
business model. Installing and maintaining servers are rendered using special
procedures. These typically have repair arrangements, database recovery
services, Software, improved network control, and servers operate in the
managed atmosphere of a data center, where access to computer resources can be
restricted. Comprehending those changes will help you make smarter buying
decisions.
 Buy Server Hardware for Servers
The systems that are advertised as servers vary from those that are sold as clients or
portable workstations. It is also enticing to "save cash" by purchasing laptop hardware and
filling it with server software.
Server hardware is typically more costly but has extra features justifying the cost. Some
of the features are:
a. Extensibility
b. More CPU performance
c. High-performance I/O.
d. Upgrade Options
e. Rack mountable
f. No side-access needs
g. High-availability options
h. Management options
 Choose Vendors known for reliable products
Some vendors cut corners by using consumer-grade parts; other vendors use parts that
meet MIL-SPEC1 requirements. Some vendors have years of experience designing servers.
Vendors with more experience, as well as other little extras that one can learn only from years
of market experience. Vendors with little or no server experience do not offer maintenance
service. It can be useful to talk with other SAs to find out which vendors they use and which
ones they avoid.

The System Administrators’ Guild (SAGE)(www.sage.org) and the League of


Professional System Administrators(LOPSA) (www. lopsa.org) are good resources for the
SA community.
Environments can be:
Homogeneous - all the same vendor or product line.
Heterogeneous - many different vendors and/or product lines.

Homogeneous environments are easier to maintain, because training is reduced,


maintenance and repairs are easier one set of spares and there is less finger pointing
when problems arise. However, heterogeneous environments have the benefit that
you are not locked in to one vendor, and the competition among the vendors will
result in better service to you.
 Understand the Cost of Server Hardware

To understand the additional cost of servers, you must understand


how machines are priced. You also need to understand how server
features add to the cost of the machine.

Most vendors have three product lines: home, business, and server.
 Consider Maintenance Contracts and Spare Parts
Vendors tend to have a variety of maintenance contract options. For example, one form
of maintenance contract provides on-site service with a 4-hour response time, a 12-hour
response time, or next-day options. Other options include having the customer purchase a kit
of spare parts and receive replacements when a spare part gets used.

Following are some reasonable scenarios for picking appropriate maintenance contracts:

• Non-critical server. Some hosts are not critical, such as a CPU server. In that situation, a
maintenance contract with next-day or 2-day response time is reasonable. Or, no contract
may be needed if the default repair options are sufficient.
• Large groups of similar servers. In this case, it may be reasonable to purchase a spares kit so that
repairs can be done by local staff. The cost of the spares kit is divided over the many hosts. These
hosts may now require a lower-cost maintenance contract that simply replaces parts from the spares
kit.
• Controlled introduction.Technology improves over time, and sites described eventually need to
upgrade to newer models.
• Critical host. Sometimes it is too expensive to have a fully stocked spares kit. It may be
reasonable to stock spares for parts that commonly fail and otherwise pay for a maintenance contract
with same-day response.
• Highly critical host. Some vendors offer a maintenance contract that provides an on-site
technician and a duplicate machine ready to be swapped into place. This is often as expensive as
paying for a redundant server but may make sense for some companies that are not highly technical.
Three easy ways to prevent hosts from being left out of the contract

1. To have a good inventory system and use it to cross


reference the service contract.

2. To have the person responsible for processing purchases


also add new machines to the contract.

3. You should fix a common problem caused by warranties.


Thank you & keep safe!

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