It isn't always efficient to build your own server. If you don't have time to maintain the hardware or lack the expertise, you could be losing valuable productivity in other parts of your business or life. Remote data management services are available to host your server resources, but you'll need to understand the possibilities and limitations to take the advantage of everything remote access has to offer. Take a look at what data center management can do for you and what you'll no longer have to deal with by avoiding hardware maintenance.
Hardware Maintenance Responsibilities
When building a server, you need to keep in mind the higher, potentially dangerous temperatures and regular maintenance required. Unlike desktop workstations or laptops, a server's job is not fulfilled unless it is constantly receiving requests, processing those requests and delivering responses to valid requests. The processors used by servers have to work harder, which accounts for the higher temperatures than desktop processors.
Because of the higher temperature, cooling systems must be at top performance at all times. Many servers use a directed cool air system to introduce cold air and displace hot air, which means keeping the air clean with air filters. Systems using liquid cooling require periodic liquid replacement, and must be cleaned if the cooling substance causes buildup.
Regular dusting is necessary no matter the cooling system in use. A buildup of dust inside the system can be like a small blanket over the components, which raises the internal temperature and may even create a small fire hazard if temperatures become high enough to ignite dust particles.
Dust removal requires careful understanding of computer components, and specialized equipment such as anti-electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist straps to avoid damaging the electronics with static shock. You'll need to use a can of air specifically designed for electronics, as standard canned air products generate static, and you'll need an electronics-safe cleaning solution to wipe down specific areas of the internal components.
Mistakes can happen, which can render your system useless. Instead of spending valuable time on maintenance and risking hardware damage, leave the hardware issues to a business that manages hardware as a service.
Data Center Colocation Makes It Easier, Remotely
Instead of using your own hardware, you can upload information to a data center offering colocation services.
Although traditional colocation meant sending your hardware to a data center for maintenance and operation or hiring a data center to build a system for you in their building, it now means virtual resources that you can use for whatever you need.
Instead of having a specific, physical system, you have access to virtually allocated hard drive space, processing power and memory. You don't need to worry about how cool or warm the system is or how much space is on a specific drive; your capabilities are what you pay for, and are clearly marked on the plan that you choose.
If you don't have a great Internet connection and have a lot of data to transfer, you can still use the old, traditional method of transfer by mailing data on whatever media you choose. Flash drives, hard drives, DVD's or Blu-ray discs can get the job done so you don't have to wait on a slow upload.
Contact a data center maintenance professional to get rid of your maintenance responsibility while managing your data more easily.
Share4 January 2016
I recently switched my internet service provider. Once I switched, I was very happy with the speed and service. The internet moved so fast for me that I was on it playing games and messaging friends a lot more than usual. What I forgot was that I chose my internet package based on my past monthly use of the internet, which was low simply because our old service was so slow I didn't like using it much. I chose a package that was limited, and I realized my mistake when I used up all my plan data in just two weeks. Thankfully, my new provider allowed me to switch to unlimited mid-month. I created this blog to remind others to always keep an eye on their internet usage if on a restricted plan and call your provider if you need to change it.
