10 Tips for Server Maintenance Over the Holidays

All drives eventually fail, including backup drives. So, check to ensure this hasn’t happened.

• Verify that your automated backups are functioning correctly and on-schedule
• Open a few critical files on each backup device/location to verify that the devices are operational and files are not corrupted or otherwise unusable

Once you have verified your back up, you’re ready to start your server maintenance.

It’s vital that you understand the systems that you manage. Here are some fundamental questions you need to be able to answer:

• How many RAID configurations are located on your server, and what types are they?
• Are all RAIDs currently in an optimal state? Are any already in a degraded state?
• How many drives is the system reporting?
• Does your server run predictive failure analysis? If so, when was the last time it ran and what were the results?

Within minutes of an operating system (OS) security flaw being disclosed, hackers are scanning for vulnerabilities that they can use to infiltrate un-updated or otherwise unprotected systems. Automated updates will help with application compatibility and protect your system from hackers.

• If you don’t already have updates automated for your operating systems, firmware, installed software, and applications, including web applications, put that in place now
• First, check for and install any available updates, particularly to your operating systems and any anti-malware or antivirus software
• Of course, back up first and often to protect your important information assets

Filling your system to 100% disk capacity could cause your server to stop responding and data to become corrupt or lost. In addition, old software installations could offer loopholes for hackers to enter. A smaller data load also makes the system run more efficiently and faster.

Before deleting anything from your server, review any industry regulations your business must follow, such as HIPAA for medical data or GLBA for banking data. If you can do so without violating any industry compliance regulations, archive or delete the following:

• Old logs and emails that are no longer needed
• Software and older versions of software that are no longer used
• Duplicate data existing in the same space
• User accounts that are no longer used

Cables don’t last forever, especially if they’re getting squished behind equipment. If a cable fails, your entire system could go offline.

• Make sure the best cables for the equipment are being used
• Replace cables that have excessive bends, cuts, or exposed shielding
• Use cables that are the appropriate length, so they aren’t being pulled or excessively bent

Each manufacturer has a recommended power-on-hours (POH) critical threshold. Excess of the manufacturer’s recommendation could lead to potential electromechanical problems and drive failure.

If you have any hard drives in your RAID systems that have been in use for more than the recommended number of hours, consider changing out the drives.

Passwords should be changed periodically. Incorporate this into your planned maintenance. If necessary, create a different schedule to change passwords.

• Experts recommend changing passwords every six months to a year, if you have strong passwords
• Passwords should have at least twelve characters—a mix of capital and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols
• Don’t use the same passwords for different systems

If you need help remembering your passwords, try a password manager program.

If your system is off-site with a service provider or co-location service, you should check your remote access periodically to ensure you can communicate with the system, when needed.

Cybercriminals are becoming more and more advanced as businesses rely more and more on electronic data storage. Update yourself on current risks and review your systems to be sure they are protected.

Learn how to conduct a risk analysis.