Server Monitoring & MAnagement

[rumbletumble]

Hope you guys on here can help.

I am looking after a web application project based on SQL Server and Windows 20003.
I have been let down by the company that we had contracted with to look after the server and support the SQL and windows installation.

Any of you folks here know of a reliable outfit that could do that for us ?

The server is based in a colo facility near Portsmouth, and I imagine the management would all be done remotely.

Thanks.

[JamieBeeston]

I'd be weary of remote management of any servers from a Distant location, simply as with the raft of windows patches, theres an ever increasing likelyhood of one of then boinking something, which would be hard to fix at a distance.

You can get Hardware level Remote Access cards which can help overcome this to an extent (Dell Remote Access, HP Remote Insight cards) but I wouldn't want to manage a server that I couldnt get easy console access to in the event of an issue.

Does the machine have to stay where it is at present? Out of interest, how were you 'let down' they fail to patch it ?

Be interested to know the budget ballpark for this, Mail Me if you prefer.

J

[rumbletumble]

Remote Desktop seems to provide most of what we need unless we have to do an OS level rebuild I hope that it will suffice for most cases. There is always console access if required, just means a drive to the datacenter. Machine can be moved but we have just taken a years colo contract and the datacenter seems pretty good.

The company that contracted to build the app were also going to provide hosting and server management, They recently hit some financial difficulties and subsequently we contracted directly with the programmer to complete the app build.

However the original company now cant take the support contract as they are working out their ‘issues’ !

[JamieBeeston]

makes more sense now.

You're just after someone to keep it patched / secure / up-to-date / answer a few queries then?

Always an option for the right money

GL

J

[UpTheIron]

Ah, but Jamie...

What happens when the Microsoft patch you apply breaks the customers app?

Colo can be a great cost saver, or when bundled in with OS management it can make you realise the horrible independency between the Windows OS and Windows apps!

[JamieBeeston]

UpTheIron said:

Ah, but Jamie... What happens when the Microsoft patch you apply breaks the customers app? Colo can be a great cost saver, or when bundled in with OS management it can make you realise the horrible independency between the Windows OS and Windows apps!

Thats what SLA's are for. Noone would ever take responsibility for a Patch application adversely affecting a client application.

I am sure attempts would be made to rectify the issue, but it would be billable.

This is more reason why Local management is the way to go.

J

[UpTheIron]

JamieBeeston said:

This is more reason why Local management is the way to go. J

I think we agree

But the guy that works out a clever way to ring fence OS and App management for all Windoze apps may become a rich man....

>> Edited by UpTheIron on Wednesday 17th August 20:42

[agent006]

UpTheIron said:

Ah, but Jamie... What happens when the Microsoft patch you apply breaks the customers app?

You use someone who actually bothers to test things first.

OP, email me through my profile, this is the sort of thing we (www.pandi.co.uk) do.

[rumbletumble]

Guys

Thanks for the replies.

Jamie said:

You're just after someone to keep it patched / secure / up-to-date / answer a few queries then?

More or less, with as you said some SLA/Guarantee that things will get patched as and when needed, and server will be monitored 24/7 or whatever is agreed.

JB/006 - I'll make contact with you both through email to get an idea of service/costs etc.

Thanks