Remote management of servers?

[nd75596]

I've got this posted on the Business section but thought I would post it here too!

I'm looking at providing a managed service to small to medium size companies. My idea is that I would charge a fee(?) for monitoring their Windows servers (and Security if required). Any issues with the customers Servers would be fix remotley or through a network of support people.

I would install some software onto the customers server which would send me any issues on the customers servers!

I was really after some feedback from people on here, if they think this would be a feesable idea?


Thanks

Neil

[rich-uk]

I'd use Remote Desktop Connection, but VNC is very good (and free!)

You'd need a VPN connection and a link to the internet.

[size13]

Not sure of any software that would send you the info you want, but you're opening a can of worms with regard to company security policies.

I think you'll find it very difficult.

[jh_007]

nd75596 said:

I've got this posted on the Business section but thought I would post it here too! I'm looking at providing a managed service to small to medium size companies. My idea is that I would charge a fee(?) for monitoring their Windows servers (and Security if required). Any issues with the customers Servers would be fix remotley or through a network of support people. I would install some software onto the customers server which would send me any issues on the customers servers! I was really after some feedback from people on here, if they think this would be a feesable idea? Thanks Neil

Yes HP Open view is a very common application for doing what you want. All of our systems enterprise-wide are monitored using it.

It works by catching SMNP traps. It's very good.

As for remote administration, just make sure 'Terminal Services' is installed with the remote administration options. Then connect using the remote desktop connector or terminal client.

James.

>> Edited by jh_007 on Friday 17th September 09:55

[nd75596]

Thanks for the replies, I have been working with various software which would give me the remote monitoring and security functions. I have already created the scripts etc to give me the information for the customers servers. I was more interested in if people in here thought this would be a good area to get into, I have the experience in deploying products to do this but most of the time I deal with Banks etc not the smal/medium markets.

So the question is....

If you worked for a company and was offered a solutions which would monitor your servers for issues and the security on those servers (+Firewalls) would you want an external company doing this?

Thanks

[sjg]

nd75596 said:

Thanks for the replies, I have been working with various software which would give me the remote monitoring and security functions. I have already created the scripts etc to give me the information for the customers servers. I was more interested in if people in here thought this would be a good area to get into, I have the experience in deploying products to do this but most of the time I deal with Banks etc not the smal/medium markets. So the question is.... If you worked for a company and was offered a solutions which would monitor your servers for issues and the security on those servers (+Firewalls) would you want an external company doing this? Thanks

As a value-added extra for a company that is supplying and supporting servers, it's not a bad idea. Especially if you can do mundane things like setting up new users at a much lower cost than an onsite visit.

If you're offering it to companies who've had servers supplied and set up by someone else (and presumably have some sort of arrangement if they go wrong) then you could have problems. It's a lot of trust to place in a company they won't have dealt with before and it's a bit of a minefield with liability and maybe the suspicion that you can "create" problems to make more work for your yourself.

Also, I find in a lot of these sort of companies the servers just keep ticking over (even the NT ones) unless there's a hardware problem, which would need an onsite visit anyway.

I don't mean to sound too negative, but I don't think there's much of a market for the service unless you can think of a way around these problems.