4 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Server Failure

Possibly the most unnerving and damaging event that can happen to an MSP is a server failure. If your server goes down, so does your business, until the issue is resolved, and downtime can cost you thousands. There are a variety of reasons your server may crash, including loss of power during an intense storm, hardware malfunctions, and operating system crashes. Although server failure can sometimes be unavoidable, there are methods you can use to prolong the life of your server and keep it running flawlessly.

Avoid Overheating

Make sure you keep your server cool. Server’s aren’t an exception to the rule that heat hurts electronics. To avoid damage and help preserve the life of your server, monitor the temperature of the room where the server is stored. IT experts recommend keeping a server in temperatures between 55 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, although the high limit may be even hotter for newer servers that have been built to better withstand heat. Either way, it’s necessary you have a big fan to use in your server room in hotter temperatures or for backup if your building’s cooling system ever fails.

Clean Often

Dust and debris can quickly build up in your machine, so keep an eye on the cleanliness of the server room. Anything that gets trapped in your server can degrade its quality and lifespan and in a worst-case scenario cause a fire. It’s best to hire experts in computer room cleaning to do a thorough clean once a month or so to help keep your server in tip top shape.

Ensure You’re Equipped with the Right Server

Some people cut corners and try to save when they open their business by buying a smaller server. This can be incredibly detrimental in the long run. All servers should be the right size for the data needs of the business they are sustaining. If your server isn’t the correct size, but can accommodate upgrades, keep on top of them to make room for incoming data as your business grows. The more data loaded onto a server, and the more stress placed on it by multiple users and applications, the shorter its lifespan may be. If your server is too small to keep up with your data demands, it can slowly lose functionality and eventually fail. The resulting monetary losses may be greater from server failure than purchasing the correct system or upgrades from the start.

Keep Power Consistent

Power spikes or surges can cause a lot of damage to servers, or even fry them completely. Power loss can do permanent damage as well. To prevent inconsistencies in power, use a power source that will remain stable like an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to keep servers running during storms or power failures. Even if you’re doing your best to prevent server issues, they can still happen. Serverless computing is one option. But backing up your data is always the best idea, as it prevents huge chunks of data loss and negates the need for online data recovery if ever your server does fail. That’s where the StorageCraft® Recovery Solution™ comes in. We’re the data recovery pro and work towards giving all our clients peace of mind when it comes to their data. Not only do we offer a secure cloud for your backups, you won't find a faster, more reliable way to recover systems and data. Click here to request a free trial of our StorageCraft® ShadowProtect™ SPX or contact us today to learn more about our solution.