Hudson Valley Computer Support Blog for Businesses

Recovering from a Minor Crash

19 May, 2009 12:03

It seems that the more important a server is to a business, the more factors can bring it down for a short period of time. Minor server crashes shouldn't result in more than minor interruptions to business continuity, but that depends on the nature of the server problem, the steps needed to fix it, and the continuity system that the business has in place to prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

Causes of minor server crashes
A “minor server crash” can be defined is something that stops a server from performing its function, but can be rectified without replacing or completely overhauling the system. A number of factors can cause or contribute to a minor server crash, including:

Software conflicts – software developed by different companies may demand that the server do contradictory things with the same resources. With thousands of software applications available for businesses, it can be difficult to predict how they will work with one another in your server environment. Removing some software may be necessary to resolve the issue.
Malware – malicious software can sometimes make it through a server's firewall and cause problems.
Temperature regulation – if the server's fan malfunctions, the machine is not positioned for optimal air circulation, or the the temperature in the server room increases for any reason, it can cause a server to shut down.
Network problems – it's possible that a server is functioning normally, but has become disconnected from the network and is unable to communicate with your other machines.
Hardware problems – minor problems in the server's hardware may require that a part be replaced or other repairs be made to bring the machine back to the land of the living.

Timeline to crash recovery
It doesn't take long to discover a problem with a server, but getting the business back up and running can be more complex. Steps include:

Diagnosing the problem
Order necessary parts
Make necessary repairs

Seems like a simple process, but for a company with outsourced computer support, this could easily translate into two or three days without that server. With a good backup system it may be possible to recover the data and continue working – if there's another machine available that can do the job of the server, and all the necessary software applications are installed on it. Much of that two or three days may be taken up with setting up a machine to do the server's job, only to have the original back up and running by the time you're done.

Business continuity plans make the crash transition seamless
Even with an orderly plan in place, it can take time to recover from a minor server crash. Since the primary goal of any business continuity plan is to keep the business up and running, it may be worthwhile to consider a plan like Remote Vault Pro Enterprise. The onsite backup can be up and running as a virtualized server within minutes, so your employees (whether in the office or working at home) will be able to do what you pay them to without interruption