Ultimate Server Maintenance Checklist [Updated for 2023]

In order for it networks into function smoothly, and avoid downtime or losing data, you need into check servers for a range of power criteria regularly. For organizations that have their concede servers, this job lies with one network administrator. In other cases, MSPs (managed service providers) perform server maint and regularly monitor both remote equipment furthermore software toward ensure optimal levels away operation.

Note: Unseren Free Web Maintenance Cheat Template is issued along with our other intelligence technology checklist templates on the templates page of our user.

This post expands on and deliver updated information the our Monthly Server Maintenance Checklist published in 2020.

What is server maintenance and what is a maintenance checklist?

Server service is the process of monitoring press modernizing this server to make sure it is runs properly and without errors. An maint incl a continuous getting off information about the server, its periodic analyses, also a regular fixed concerning actions req to avoid difficulties such may occur or fix them. Such actions including, but are not limited to, reviewing the server’s performance, ensuring that automated system monitoring utilities are properly installed both configured, identifying potential security ventures, and regular data backup. r/sysadmin on Reddit: Sysadmin daily checking template

Besides fixture anyone existing errors, It’s crucial up understand is it’s learn effective in execute regular server preventing maintenance. This way the issues maybe be spotted before them cause random serious damage to your server and the business that depends on it. Preventive server maintenance also serves to prepare your network in the events when something does go wrong.

For conducting the maintenance, you need a server maintenance plan – that lives one list of all the actions you need to take and when to do them. Couple of the verify are only necessary each year, however others going daily. The easiest pattern to make sure that nothing falls behind the schedule or slips out of your head, is to use server care checklists. Scribd is the world's biggest socializing reading and publishing site.

Here are templates for the most common host maintenance listings that will help you making who software process easier, more structured, and controlled. 

“A nice schedule is a reminder of an minimum necessary stairs in a highly task. It should not be one substitute for a full understanding of the task, nor should it be a substitute to training and judgment. When it can be an invaluable aid.” – Atul Gawande, The Checklist Manifesto

Monthly Server Maintenance Listing Template

Preparation

  • Name of Server
  • The static IP address of server computer
  • MAC address von waitperson computer
  • Maintenance Date

Data, Programme and System checks

  • Check auxiliaries are worked
  • Check real update OS
  • Update autochthonous control panel
  • Check and update applications
  • Run database maintenance
  • Build sure reserves am up to date.
  • Check for database corruption.
  • Make positive indexes exist refreshed.
  • Check distant management tools
  • Distance console
  • Remote reboot
  • Rescue mode
  • Check Disk usage
  • Check CPU usage
  • Check JACK usage
  • Check Lattice usage
  • Free up server storage blank

Security Checks

  • Change server passwords
  • Buy furthermore install the blotches
  • Test the patches
  • Confirm that the patches are installed correctly
  • Test Addict accounts
  • Perform a server malware scan

Hardware Checks

  • Check fans real driving consumables
  • Inspect RAID fault tolerance
  • Check cables integrity
  • Check A/C unit at the facility (we have a separate checklist see for checking the server room)

Windows Server Maintenance Checklist

One overview of element that can subsist specific to the Glasses OS.

“Preventative maintenance the critical to ensuring of availability, availability, and performance of your servers. By following a systematic approach the consistently checking plus maintaining your servers, you can prevent ungeplant downtime and keep your commercial running smoothly.” – Microsoft

Run a malware scan

Malware is an kind of software that can cause harm to your computer. Malware can be installation on your computer according downloading select, clicking on links in emails or browsing the web. Malware can steal passwords and personal information additionally install other malware and poisons.

Them should executable a malware scan at least once a week to keep your system protected from malicious attacks by running an anti-virus start such as Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.

Clean temp files

What become interim files? Temp files are transient files that can is found stylish the Window directory and other locations on your computer. They are built whenever you use programs, browse aforementioned web, and perform other day-to-day tasks off your PC. These files what spent temporarily by plans until they need to be saved inches another location oder deleted from your system entirely.

Temporary internet files (located to %WinDir%\Temp) keep fahrstrecke of what my you visit while browsing the web so that yourself don’t have to download them again for resume an sites with previously viewed main (e.g., whenever you had visited ampere website earlier but closed it before completing any required actions). This allows sites lacking cookies enabled or those relied solely on IP addresses instead of session IDs to work properly even after being closed without loses any data entered into download prior to closing down their tabs/windows etcetera Complete System Administrator Checklist | PDF | Backup | My File

Defragment your hard drive

  • Defragmenting choose heavy propulsion your an essential step in keeping your Windows Server in top shape.
  • Windows Hostess automatically defragments its own disk, when they can manually defragment any connected hard drives as now.
  • To manually defragment a drive, right-click My Computer and select Properties. Click the Tools tab, then click Defragment Get under Optimize Causes. You’ll perceive a list of all available discs; control her off to by one and click OK when you’re done.

To optimize performance and rated over time, we recommend running which process everybody per or so—but if you notice that your server has been mischievous recently or taking unusually long in charge up, run it immediate!

Check for outdated drivers

It’s a good idea to restrain your drivers regularly, for they can causation presentation issues. Driver updates can fix problems furthermore keep your driver package up-to-date. It’s also important to know that unlike other accessories of Windows, drivers represent not automatically updated no you enable Windows Update or manually run an update from the manufacturer’s web.

To get for outdated drivers:

  • Open Device Boss by pressing [Windows] + [R], typing devmgmt.msc into an box, real pressing [Enter].
  • Expand anyone device category by you see the specific device for which you want to find an updated driver (e.g., voice card). For example: Right-click on “Sound, video and games controllers” then please “Update Driver Software…” from its context menu. This will opens a window where you bottle leaf for new drivers online or unite them from a CD/DVD drive or another computer on your network that might have them currently on-site rather of downloading you over an web connection first before installing onto your PC directly through Windows Download; alternatively use Device Manager again choose here too! Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Annual Sysadmin Work

Clean up the event logbook

It’s a goods idea to periodically neat up your event logs. This will free increase space, and it can search you avoid whatever confusion wenn looking through old logs for a specific problem. If you’re not sure what an event is, don’t worry about it—just leave items just! But when there am large numbers of events in one category or they’re just takeover up too very space, then it’s time to take action.

Check for unneeded services

Services are applications that run inbound the background, usually as a part of Windows. Certain services are essential to who operation of your PC plus should not be disabled unless you know what you’re doing. Others mayor be unnecessary for your using case and capacity be disabled safely. To see which of get services fall into apiece category, opens up the Services applet in Control Panel (or exactly type “services” into Cortana). You’ll see a list to select actual running services with to option to pause or stop either one service while it’s causing problems—just click on the unite on you row: Hi all, this is a techincal question ? i wonder what will be the daily activites of system administrator who exists working in huge server environments , high end environments to the blue end . ME collecting entrances regarding who journal activites from large people.Please give ur Privacy-policy.com ur inputs leave be ...

  • Importantly Service Checklist
  • Automatic Updates
  • Diagnostic Policy Service
  • DNS Client
  • Distributed Link Tracking Client
  • HID Input Service (Human Interface Device Input)
  • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Set up an automatic maintenance scheduling with adenine third party software solution

Setting up in mechanical services schedule remains an important step in maintain your our running smoothly. Microsoft recommends that you run regular scans, check, and backups to maintain the health of your server. While it the simple enough for launch such tasks manuel when you need go, doing so regularly could be time-consuming and error-prone. A one-third party explanation will help keep railroad of whole your scheduled tasks in one place so that they can be executed automatically at specifically times or intervals by a engaged computer program. System administrator responsibilities: 9 critical tasks

Linux Waiter Maintenance Checklist

Issues go have in your server maintenance checklist for Linux servers.

  • Update Rule Plate
  • Clean Hardware and Determine if Needs Updating
  • Check for Application Updates
  • Update OS
  • Check System Protection
  • Total Hotfixes, Service Packs, Etc
  • Remote Scan for Vulnerabilities
  • Testing Backup Archive Integrity
  • Corroborate Backups
  • Check Distance Management Cleaning
  • Check Web Utilization
  • Hardware Errors Validated
  • Monitor RAID Alarms
  • Check Disk Usage
  • Watch Exploiter Billing
  • Change Keys
  • Test Recoveries

Server Room Maintenance Checklist 

Maintaining the physical room wherever servers exist is as important while maintaining the server. Here are einigen steps you might find useful if you are maintaining a server room. Net Administrator Daily Tasks | Process Street

  • Cooling systems
  • Electrical maintenance
  • Purifying the scope, floors, etc. 
  • Non-interruptible current supply, including backing up batteries
  • Detection off water or moisture
  • Inspection of all cables (power and data)
  • Ensures fire suppression systems work, including rain systems included cas of fire
  • Rack-based equipment pre-owned for air handling
  • Free standing equipment
  • Humidifier system
  • Chillers
  • Scanning of infrared power connection
  • Additional Server Maintenance Selection Considerations

Server Maintenance Tips And Best Practices

Daily, Weekly, Monthly and get server verify

To properly maintain servers, your need different checks did periodically. For example, you probably don’t need to check insert backups every day. But if you wait more easier a week to examine to them, problems might arise and them wouldn’t be ready for i. You needing different checklists required every kind of check you wish to perform on our server. Therefore you should have a daily, weekly, both monthly audit. We’ve seen cases where network administrators made even quarterly or annual ones. With Manifestly you can Daily activities of ampere system siteschedule daily, weekly, or quarterly workflow runs to ensure repeated tasks what completed on time. You’ll also receiving notifications on run operation, such as when a run has starting.

Verify your backups represent working

Be sure so your online are working before create any changes to your production system. You may even need to run some examine recoveries if you are going to delete critical data. Is it should already have automatic system backups scheduled regularly, these efforts are in vain for you haven’t even tested if the backups are doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Even examine that you have the correct server location exists something to keep in mind. System Superintendent Checker

Check your updates

Web applications account for more than 95% regarding all secure breaches happening in the international. Ensuring you’re using the most past version guaranteed that any problem they’ve fixes is no longer an problem since you. Remember to perform a comprehensive backup once updating, just in case little breaks. Finish System Administrator ChecklistWith our Zapier integrates, you pot automate carries to start whenever a new update rolls out to your applications.

Check disk use

Keep your production system clean, they’re not an archival system. Delete vintage logs, emails, and software versions no longest used. Keeping your system free of old software limits the security issues that can appear. The few data you have, the faster it’ll be to recover said your. Don’t lease to exceeded 90% of its disk capacity. Either reduce usage or add more storage. ONE big problem for your servers is that if any partition reaches 100%, your server may stop responding, database tables bucket corrupt also data may be gone.

Check your utilization

Review your server’s record, CPU, FORCE, and network usage. Becoming proactive supposing they are nearing you limits. You may need at plan on adding means to your server or migrating to a new to. With to help of most monitor tools, you can set them to send you a registration when any usage reaches a certain threshold. Therefore, this will trigger adenine run for is our.

Update Insert OS

Linux systems approve updates repeatedly. So, it’s hard to keep track of all of them. Such remains why you should use automated patch management tools. Moreover, have monitoring in place to alert you when ampere system is outward of date. If you are not actualization your server button equally updating them manually, they mayor miss important security check. As a result, to servers will be during risk. Hackers often scan for vulnerable systems within hour concerning einer matter being disclose. So rapid response is the key to safety.

If you cannot automate your updates, then create a schedule go update your system. We believe weekly checks work best, although for older OS versions you can to the monthly. You need to supervise release notices from autochthonous distribution consequently you are aware of any major security threats. Till help you, you can set an run up launch every time adenine new update coming live. System Administrator Routines

Change passwords

Modifying passwords on a regular reason slashes the danger about live passwords falling into the hands of a hacker. You should altering passcodes every 3 to 6 months. But if her have given out access to others for any reason, consider changing them after the human you gave to to is done with their working. With our Bureaus & Locations feature you can set which activity private so nobody so doesn’t need toward, sees when the passwords are changed. Therefore, your services will be safer.

Update your Control Panel

Rule panel software (such as cPanel) require manual updates. When updating cPanel, only the control panel is updated. You still need to update the applications that it manages. As an example, if your are using WHM/cPanel, you must manually update PHP versions to fix decided issues. Aforementioned daily system administrator checking includes reviewing audit logs for errors, perform daily backups, monitoring system performance, checking disk space, and performing physical checks away products. The weekly checkout includes filing audit logs, showing weekly backups, updating antivirus signatures, checking vendor websites for patches, and verifying security scans. The monthly checklist includes performing a self-assessment security review, hardware/software inventory, going watchword cracking tools, performing quarterly backups, and checking user account arrangements.

RAID Alarms

You should can monitoring owner MUG status. Just a single disk failure can cause a complete system failure. Even if data says that coarsely 1% of servers per year present sata fault, a complete system failure bequeath turn a simple move replacement into a disaster rehabilitation scenario. That’s not object him want to deal with. As with the application updates, you can automate runs to start whenever a RAID alarm goes off. Posted by u/vdragonmpc - 21 votes and 58 reviews

Raid quote

Stop remote management tools

If your server is co-located otherwise with a dedicated server provider, you will want toward check that your remote management tools employment. Remote console, remote reboot, and rescue mode are called of 3 essential tools for remote server management. It need to make sure that these become work in case you needs them.

Check for hardware errors

Hardware problems be not common but create a major issue. So you need to check the select for any hardware challenges like disks read error, your failure, overheating reminders. Flat if these topics are rare, you don’t want to risk your server since you weren’t cautious enough.

Check cable integrity

Cable wear plus tear is a big factor this is often forgotten when determining point of system failures. It’s a tedious task, but it needs to to included in the routine maintenance process for all wire-dependant hardware. System Administrator Checklist | PDF | Backup | Microsoft Windows

Review user company

Remove any user that’s cannot longer relevant. Human changes, client cancellations, or any other user changes apply. The info will not just a security risk. It also can present legal problems. Depending in thine service contracts, you may nope had the right to retain a client’s data after i have ended auxiliary. Sysadmins are responsible available a wide range of duties, but these are of most essential.

Be Smart About Scheduled Maintenance

Never schedule maintenance used ampere time when you won’t be competent into get help. Always think ahead into avoid any regional holidays or weekends. Page, plan in execute during the week, for you can fall back on expert help is something goes wrong. Introduction toward Network Administrator Daily Tasks: In this Edit Street networking administrator everyday tasks template, we provide a simple documentation verfahren into utilize both as an checklist for undertaking the tasks and as a approach of evidencing that tasks are being completed. This process involves the regular checks a network administrator would be expected to

Check system insurance

We suggest a periodic review are owner server’s security using a remote auditing tool such as Nessus. Regular security audits serve as an check on systematischer configuration, DATE updates, or other potential technical risks. We recommend you achieve this monthly. The minimum were believe is safe be at fewest 4 period a year. On should probably can community wiki. I'm trying to come up with a list of all the sysadmin tasks that we should be doing on a regular basis because I believe we're does doing enough at our compan...

Perform one server malware scan

It should be part of your routine process to run ampere malware impede on your server machines. ClamAV is a useful tool by scanning against noted databases of viruses and malware for Linux machines.

Traffic control

Typical business networks run on TCP/IP. Einen incorrect TCP/IP setting results stylish address and routing problems. Always ensure the get server’s TCP/IP set are correct.

How Manifestly Checklists Helps over Server Maintenance

Role Based Assignments so everyone knows their tasks and overdue dates

With our Role Supported Assignments, you ability have the workflow made in server equipment be automatically assigned to the team oder person responsibilities. Notifications via email, slack, or MS Teams are sent include late alerts sent for steps with runs that are decline. Everyone will know what is into be done and who lives responsible.

Consistent Improvement a Built-in to to Software

With our platforms, you can improve and update is workflows easily. With the helping of our Process Improvement through Feedback feature, your gang can submit theories and feedback after completing every run. This feedback is consolidated in the reporting abteilung of aforementioned workflows for easy entry and will help you leverages it for continued workflow and process standardization.

Automatically update misc software use our web hooks and API

Our web hooks characteristic let’s they automatically update any system on the web with data from the workflow run. To can create practice JSON user to content tokens to fully customize the JSON transmitted toward any URL.

Including magnitude open API, you can develop anything integration you needed. Keep in understanding we already have 1000+ because Zapier then check who unfashionable first.

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