IT & Networking · Servers
Servers: design, management, and maintenance
Keep your data on your own premises, on equipment that is set up properly, watched, and looked after. We design and install the server, then keep it healthy for as long as you run it.
Why businesses keep data locally
Fast access
Large files, accounting databases, and CCTV footage open at office-network speed, not internet speed.
Works when the internet does not
Shared files and internal systems keep running through internet outages.
You control it
Your records stay on equipment you own, with access rules you decide.
From first design to everyday care
Design and installation
The right server for the work it will do, installed and documented.
- Workload review: file sharing, backups, accounting or ERP, local apps, virtual machines
- Server-grade hardware with redundant drives (RAID)
- Rack or tower placement, cooling, and power protection
- User accounts, shared folders, and access permissions
- Backup system set up and a first restore tested
- Handover document with passwords stored securely
Management
Day-to-day administration, so the server stays secure and organised.
- Security updates applied on a schedule
- Monitoring of disk health, capacity, and temperature
- Backup checks, with alerts when a backup fails
- Adding, changing, and removing users and permissions
Maintenance and support
Planned care and fast help when something goes wrong.
- Preventive maintenance visits: dust, fans, drives, and logs
- Regular restore tests, so backups are proven to work
- Fault diagnosis and repair
- Capacity and lifecycle planning before hardware runs out
A typical on-site server setup
Tap any part to see its job and what to look for.
- Ethernet cable (Cat6)
- Provider line (fibre or wireless)
- Power protection
Tap any device in the diagram, or pick one below, to see what it does and what to look for when buying it.
Devices in this design
Backups
The 3-2-1 backup rule
A server without proper backups is a single point of failure. We set every installation up around the 3-2-1 rule.
3
copies of your data
The live data on the server, plus two backups.
2
different types of storage
For example the server's drives and a separate backup device, so one fault cannot take out both.
1
copy off site
An encrypted copy in the cloud or another location, safe from fire, theft, or ransomware on site.
A backup that has never been restored is only a hope. Every plan includes restore tests.
Choose the level of care
Monthly support plans, quoted for your setup. Each level includes everything in the one before it.
Essential
Watched and updated
- Health and disk-space monitoring
- Monthly security updates
- Backup status checks
- Remote support in business hours
Quoted for your setup
- Recommended
Standard
Maintained and tested
- Everything in Essential
- Quarterly on-site preventive maintenance
- Quarterly restore tests
- User and permission management
- Priority response
Quoted for your setup
Complete
Fully looked after
- Everything in Standard
- On-site fault response with agreed response times
- Annual security and capacity review
- Hardware lifecycle and replacement planning
Quoted for your setup
Thinking about a server, or one that needs care?
Tell us what you run today and what you want to keep on site. We will recommend a setup and a support plan.