# Server management

Monitor and manage servers effectively with OpManager.

Servers are devices which connect to other devices to provide services. The other devices are known as clients, and this setup is known as the client-server model. Services offered by servers include storing data, hosting websites, running applications, relaying information, and performing computations. Any device that offers services to clients that make requests can act as a server, but large IT organizations usually have specialized server devices which have sturdier hardware and software to operate reliably over extended periods of time and handle large loads.

Since most server operations directly impact end users, server performance issues need to be identified and fixed without any delay. This places **server management** among the most important functions of network monitoring.

- [What is server management](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#what)
- [What are the different types of servers?](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#diff)
- [Why is server management necessary?](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#why)
- [Comprehensive server management with OpManager](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#opm)
- [What makes OpManager the perfect server management software](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#perf)

## What is server management?

Server management includes all activities performed to optimize server performance and minimize downtime. Server management involves two basic steps: network monitoring and server maintenance. Network monitoring tools will poll network devices, including servers, in periodic time intervals. Any discrepancies are alerted to the IT admins who perform server maintenance operations to restore normal functioning.

## What are the different types of servers?

- **Web servers:** Web servers store website information and send that information to any client devices that request websites using web browsers.
- **Application servers:** Application servers allow client devices to use applications on web browsers over the internet or a local network.
- **Virtual server:** Virtual servers host two or more virtual devices in a single host server for effective hardware utilization.
- **File server:** These act as storage servers by storing files and folders over the network. Client devices can request resources from the server.
- **Database server:** These are another type of storage server, but rather than individual files they store large sections of organized data or databases.
- **Mail server:** Mail servers are used to store and relay customer e-mails.

## Why is server management necessary?

Servers play key roles in day to day network operations, and improper management can lead to overtaxing of servers as well as performance degradation. Some server resources could also be under-utilized, which is a waste of revenue. To manage every aspect of a server, a network admin must have deep visibility into its performance and health as well as which services and processes are running inside it. There are various issues that necessitate server management:

- [Hardware issues](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#har)
- [Software issues](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#sof)
- [Data backup](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#data)
- [Server security](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-management.html#sec)

### Hardware issues

- **CPU utilization:** Server CPU utilization is an important metric which impacts performance. When the CPU utilization approaches maximum usage, performance degradation becomes evident. This is usually caused by certain processes or services that overtax the CPU.
- **Disk space:** Just like the CPU, disk space must also be monitored regularly. Network admins have to perform capacity planning in advance and must either free up space or get new inventory. If this isn't done, disk space will get exhausted and network operations will become disrupted.
- **CPU temperature:** Servers generate a lot of heat as they operate. If they get too hot, their performance can take a turn for the worse. While most servers are equipped with temperature sensors and cooling systems, it's safer to manage it proactively.
- **Memory utilization:** High demand software, processes, and services utilize a lot of RAM. Without proper monitoring or management, memory utilization will reach its capacity and in turn affect server performance. Network admins have to manage memory utilization by eliminating some services that aren't necessary.
- **Remote datacenter management:** As most IT infrastructures are hybrid nowadays, remote datacenters hosting server arrays aren't uncommon. These data centers need to be in regulated environments where temperature, humidity, and access are controlled.

Averting all these issues requires a proactive **server management system** in place.

### Software issues

Servers must also be monitored for software issues as they can affect server performance and availability just like hardware issues. Along with critical processes necessary for server functioning, services like Windows services must also be monitored and managed. Old software and firmware must regularly be updated to avoid performance degradation.

Server management is necessary to keep track of the services and processes running inside server arrays, manage their operations, and keep track of software upgradation.

### Data backup

Data backups ensure that key data isn't lost in case servers go down due to internal issues or during power outages. Backing up key data manually can be a very exhausting task for IT admins, especially considering that it has to be done frequently. Several automatic data backup tools are available in the market for continuous high availability backups. In case the server goes down, the backups kick in to resume normal operation.

### Server security

Since servers handle sensitive information regarding companies and their customers, they are susceptible to attacks by malicious actors. For instance, an airline ticketing server could be targeted by hackers as it can contain passengers' personal information, credit card numbers, and itineraries.

Servers can be protected against attacks in multiple ways, such as installing anti-virus software, implementing log monitoring practices to alert abnormal activities, changing passwords regularly, encouraging strong security culture among employees, and placing server arrays behind firewalls to protect them from external networks. Server management concerns security as well. Any deviation from normal server activities can be indicative of an attack. Servers could also have system vulnerabilities that need to be discovered and rectified.

## ManageEngine OpManager: For the comprehensive server management

Server management is necessary for continued high performance operation with minimal downtime for servers. A good server management tool polls the devices in its network and generates real-time alerts regarding emerging issues. IT admins can then rectify the issues after tracking down the root cause.

A comprehensive server management tool not only alerts admins regarding server issues, but also helps enforce server maintenance activities. ManageEngine's network monitoring solution, [OpManager](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/?ser-mgt), fulfills that promise. It is a comprehensive **server management software** that monitors network devices like routers, switches, storage devices, and virtual devices, but it has a special emphasis for server monitoring and management.

## What makes OpManager the perfect server management software

### Automate threshold configuration with OpManager's Adaptive thresholds feature

![Server Management - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/adaptive-threshold-1.png)

Servers can experience variation in loads on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. To set thresholds effectively, you have to study network activity and change them frequently, which will be an exhausting task. OpManager simplifies this with its [adaptive thresholds](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/adaptive-thresholds.html?ser-mgt) feature. OpManager's server management service uses machine learning to study your network activity and applies thresholds on an hourly basis to your devices, vastly reducing your workload.

### Track down network issues with OpManager's root cause analysis

![Server Management Software - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/rca-profile.png)

When an issue is reported, it's imperative that you track down the root cause as fast as you can and fix it. OpManager's [root cause analysis](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/root-cause-analysis.html?ser-mgt) feature lets you compare graphical data from up to 20 devices in a window to compare and correlate the data to find the root cause.

### Use automated Workflows for instant fault resolution

![Server Management Tool - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/run-book-automation.png)

You can use OpManager's drag-and-drop workflow builder to create automated [Workflows](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/it-workflow-automation.html?ser-mgt). This allows for quick and automated troubleshooting, like restarting a service that went down, executing a script, or logging a ticket. With OpManager's **server management solution**, fault resolution is faster than ever.

### Forecast reports for effective capacity planning

![Server Management System - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/storage-capacity1.png)

Capacity planning involves calculating the number of days left until server resources like disk space, CPU usage, or memory usage are exhausted. OpManager's **server management tool** aids you in [capacity planning](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/storage-capacity-forecasting-planning.html?ser-mgt) with its forecast reports feature.

### Virtual server monitoring with OpManager

![Server Management Services- ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/virtual-server-management-1.png)

With OpManager's server performance management, you can monitor performance and health of virtual servers as well as the VMs ([virtual machines](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/virtual-machine-monitoring.html?ser-mgt)) running inside them. You can also view CPU utilization, disk space, and memory data for each of the virtual devices in a dashboard, as well as track VMs which are over-utilizing server resources and stop or suspend them.

### Uphold SLAs with OpManager

![Server Management Solutions - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/ipsla-homepage.PNG)

IT organizations have [service level agreements](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/ip-sla-monitoring.html?ser-mgt) (SLA) to uphold, guaranteeing a quality of service using measurable metrics like packet loss, jitter, response time, etc. OpManager's server management platform lets you measure these metrics and alerts you when they violate SLAs.

### Monitoring RAIDs and other storage devices with OpManager

![Server Management Services - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/Raid-device-monitors.png)

Reliable storage devices are a prerequisite for IT organizations. These storage devices also need monitoring for health and performance. OpManager can [monitor storage devices](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/storage-monitoring.html?ser-mgt) like RAIDs, tape libraries, and FC switches.

### Monitor power back-ups and CPU temperature

![Server Management Platform - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/hardware-temperature-monitoring.JPG)

It's important to have proper power back-ups for your remote datacenters and server arrays. Devices like UPSs also have to be monitored to ensure that they're ready to supply power whenever an outage occurs. OpManager's server monitoring can [monitor UPS](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/ups-monitoring.html?ser-mgt) devices for parameters like charge, voltage, current, and battery performance over time. OpManager can also [monitor CPU temperature](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/cpu-temperature-monitor.html?ser-mgt), fan speed, and processor clock speed to prevent CPU overheating.

### Visualize server racks with Rack view and 3D floor view

![Manage Server - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/3d-datacenter-floor-big.jpg)

![Server Management for Windows - ManageEngine OpManager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/images/datacenter-visualization-1.png)

Manage servers with better visualization and intelligence with OpManager's unique [network visualization tools](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/network-visualization.html?ser-mgt). These tools allow you to view interactive maps of your server racks and 3D views of those racks in your server room floor. This is particularly helpful when you need to send technicians inside remote datacenters.

Whatever your server management requirements are, OpManager has got it covered. OpManager keeps a close watch on your servers and micro-manages their operations. Combined with its rapid network discovery, real-time alerting, and advanced reporting capabilities, your workload is vastly reduced—letting you focus on more pressing tasks.

## Discover more on Server management

### Featured

- [Data center monitoring](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/data-center-monitoring.html?ser-mgt)
- [Server Virtualization monitoring](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-virtualization.html?ser-mgt)
- [Server log management](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-log-management-software.html?ser-mgt)

### Quick links

- [Blogs](https://blogs.manageengine.com?ser-mgt)
- [E-books](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/ebooks.html?ser-mgt)
- [Videos](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/videos.html?ser-mgt)
- [Case studies](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/customer-recommends.html?ser-mgt)
- [Awards and Recognitions](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/network-software-review.html?ser-mgt)

- [Blog: Acing server performance](https://blogs.manageengine.com/network/opmanager/2023/09/22/acing-server-performance-dont-overlook-these-crucial-11-monitoring-metrics.html?ser-mgt)
- [E-book: Server virtualization management: Best practices](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/server-virtualization-management-best-practices.html?ser-mgt)
- [Help: Configuring monitoring interval](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/help/monitoring-interval-for-a-device-category.html?ser-mgt)

## Related Products

- [Network Monitoring](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/?relPrd)
- [Bandwidth Monitoring & Traffic Analysis](https://www.manageengine.com/products/netflow/?relPrd)
- [Network Configuration Management](https://www.manageengine.com/network-configuration-manager/?relPrd)
- [Switch Port & IP Address Management](https://www.manageengine.com/products/oputils/?relPrd)
- [Firewall Management](https://www.manageengine.com/products/firewall/?relPrd)
- [Network Monitoring Software for MSPs](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring-msp/?relPrd)
- [IT Operations Management](https://www.manageengine.com/it-operations-management/)
- [Application Performance Monitoring](https://www.manageengine.com/products/applications_manager/?relPrd)