Why Network Uptime Monitoring and Maintenance?
For your business’s website, network server monitoring and uptime is essential to the success of your online business. Here’s why monitoring and maintenance are so essential.
Server monitoring is essential to provide service to the clients. The heart of your business stops beating when your network is down. Monitoring and maintaining network uptime prevents this disaster from happening. Are you giving the health of your network the attention it needs?
Maintaining uptime has been a challenge since businesses first adopted on-premise solutions. IT professionals long celebrated the move to cloud networks as an evolutionary step. But 80% of IT budgets are still spent on only “keeping the lights on.”
Downtime accounts for massive losses in computing power as well. Enterprise data centers deliver only 5% – 15% of their total computing power per year. This is due in part to mismanaged monitoring and maintenance.
Monitoring network uptime involves identifying and neutralizing threats to a network’s integrity. Maintenance is the ongoing optimization of that network integrity to defend against threats. This involves conducting simple upgrades or even broad changes at the policy level.
Types of Networks for Your Business
The risks of neglecting monitoring and maintenance are not always obvious. But problems could be mounting to bring about disaster.
But what are the threats to network uptime? And what can IT professionals do to stop them?
Generally, your network’s every touchpoint poses threats to its integrity. Their origins can come from systemic problems and even human error. But the nature and severity of these problems vary depending on network type.
Enterprise companies host networks in large, monitored datacenters. These data-processing powerhouses support complex eCommerce websites and Big Data analytics. Their dedicated networks need advanced uptime monitoring and maintenance strategies.
Small businesses use dedicated networks as well. These are the best choices when performance is essential. But they place all the updating and security responsibilities on those businesses.
Cloud networks are highly flexible. Cloud providers can scale services with your business and offer monitoring and maintenance solutions. The downside is dealing with that third party when your network uptime is at risk.
Businesses also combine cloud and dedicated networks to create hybrid networks. This allows them to control key data and applications in a dedicated network environment. They can optimize their use of cloud network technology with key capabilities as well.
8 of the Biggest Threats to Your Network Uptime
There are risks and advantages in every network solution. You must decide which delivers the best value for your business. But incorporate operational risk management into your decision making.
Network uptime monitoring and maintenance is a component of broader risk management. This strategy determines potential threats and includes them when determining business value.
Consider the following threats to your network uptime. The server solution you choose will influence your sensitivity to these threats. These should all be included when developing an IT strategy for your business.
1. Hardware Failure
Hardware failure is most common for companies using dedicated networks. It occurs when equipment is used too heavily or becomes outdated. It can be disastrous for these businesses.
Companies who use only on-premise solutions will have no recourse for lost data. Many companies use cloud-based disaster recovery to protect against this risk. But recovery will be long and costly, no matter the circumstances.
2. Security Flaws
Security flaws are among the most common threats to network uptime. Companies who don’t update software for the latest threats open doors to malicious viruses. Many companies overlook security flaws because they don’t prioritize them.
Monitoring and maintaining proper security is a critical to network uptime. That’s because this threat involves outside entities that intend to damage your IT infrastructure. These threats are always evolving, so updates are essential.
3. Software and OS Failure
As companies grow, they demand more operational support from their software. Some companies can’t anticipate the risks caused by that additional strain. Failure to update one’s OS then leads to software failure.
The foundation of your digital solutions should evolve with those solutions. Your maintenance team should keep your OS updated to support all business needs.
4. Ill-Equipped IT Teams
Even the best policies fail when IT teams aren’t equipped to implement them. Companies who leverage cloud newtorks benefit from third party expertise. But even local IT teams must work laterally with cloud solution providers to maintain uptime.
5. Integration or Interoperability Issues
We discussed how additional strain can lead to OS or software failure. Complications from integrating new software can jeopardize network uptime as well. This stems from incompatibility between two systems.
Monitoring solutions prevent teams from attempting such integrations. They help IT teams develop safe pathways to leverage those desired capabilities.
6. Slow or Lack of Updating Server Monitoring
Cloud providers regularly update their networks to keep clients happy. If you’re using a dedicated network, you’re fully responsible for updates. Failing to make these updates leads to inoperability and downtime.
Employ a monitoring team that maintains updates as a procedure. Making timely updates is an easy way to prevent disaster.
7. Improper Documentation for Server Monitoring
Aside from security flaws, human error is the biggest threat to uptime. Even IT professionals make mistakes when sharing information. You must employ documentation policies as part of your maintenance initiative.
Leading companies in IT and medical industries adhere to strict documentation standards. It’s a challenge to implement rigorous standards in-house. Consider partnering with a network maintenance expert for proper support.
8. Inadequate or Infrequent Monitoring
Monitoring is at the foundation of preventing network downtime. Even the best policies won’t protect you unless your team is on alert. Many of the problems we’ve discussed will happen without proper monitoring.
Your profit-driving initiatives depend on IT as a foundation. That’s why both monitoring and maintenance must be systemic. Only then can you drive business value and secure IT peace of mind.
Keep the Heart of Your Business Beating
Don’t take the easy route with your IT investment. You need a holistic approach to monitoring and maintaining uptime. No matter your business, staying operational is its foundation for success.
Earthwave protects your network from both inside and outside threats. We prevent the loss of your data and support business continuity. We ensure your network health is always at 100%.
Contact us today to begin your 360-degree evaluation. We promise the best value and support for long-term business success.