This chapter covered perhaps two of the most important day-to-day activities you will be faced with as an administrator: ensuring server performance and providing disaster recovery.
Ensuring performance (and health) of servers and client computers involves using the Performance console (System Monitor, Counter Logs, Trace Logs, and Alerts), the Event Viewer, and also the Task Manager. Data gathered from these sources can be used to identify, troubleshoot, and correct problem areas. Even with the best laid highly available server plans, disaster can and will strike when you can least afford it. Only by having a well-designed and adequate backup and restoration plan will your network live again without days of downtime. Several widely accepted backup methods and media rotation systems are available; you can, however, opt to create a customized solution that fits the unique needs of your organization. Whatever solution you end up with, you must ensure that all responsible persons are aware of its requirements and that it is tested routinely to validate its process and check for required updates and corrections. Remember, server reliability begins with you and your good planning. |