SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor is a great tool for server and network monitoring. It offers visibility into your entire IT infrastructure, from servers to applications and networks.
When it comes to web hosting, there are dozens of server software options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a free option or the most feature-rich solution, this blog post will help you make the best choice for your website. We’ll cover the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision about which server software is right for your needs.
Need to Know to Make a Good Server Software
1. Compare Popular Server Software
When it comes to server software, there are a number of popular options available. Some of the most widely used software includes Apache Tomcat, Microsoft Application Server (deprecated), NGINX, Oracle WebLogic Application Server, Microsoft IIS, and Rocky Linux. Each of these programs offers its own unique set of features and benefits, so it’s important to compare them before making a decision.
For example, NGINX is often used for web hosting since it offers high performance, while Rocky Linux is ideal for cloud hosting due to its scalability. It’s also important to consider the pricing models for each software option and the customer support available.
Additionally, you’ll want to look into the security features offered by each server software to ensure your customers’ sensitive data is kept safe. By comparing the different options and understanding your system requirements, you can make an informed decision about which server software is best for your business.
2. Understand Your System Requirements
When it comes to choosing the right server software, it’s important to understand the system requirements of your organization. The different server software may have different requirements in terms of hardware, operating systems, and other software. Make sure to research the system requirements of any server software you’re considering before making a decision.
For example, SAS High-Performance Forecasting requires Base SAS to be installed on the server. You should also consider the processing power needed for the task at hand. If you’re running a website with high traffic, for example, you may need a higher-end server than if you were running a single application. Additionally, some server software may require specific operating systems or hardware configurations. Make sure to check these requirements before investing in any solution.
3. Investigate the Server Software’s Security Features
Security is an extremely important aspect when it comes to server software. You want to make sure that the software you choose is secure and offers the features you need to protect your system.
SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor offers a range of security features, including user authentication, password protection, and encryption. It also provides extensive logging and reporting capabilities to help you monitor and track user activity. Quest Software’s Pain-of-the-Week also provides a range of security features, such as role-based access control, user authentication, and password protection.
Kodi is a media server software that provides access to digital media content. It has built-in security features, such as two-factor authentication and encryption. Additionally, it provides access control lists (ACLs) so you can control who can access your content.
When investigating the security features of the server software you choose, make sure it meets all of your security requirements. It’s also important to ensure that the software is regularly updated to address any potential vulnerabilities.
4. Look for Management Tools and Automation Options
When selecting server software, it’s essential to look for management tools and automation options to help you streamline your operations. Automation can help you save time and money by performing tasks like provisioning and configuration more quickly and accurately.
BMC Software’s BladeLogic Network Automation is a great example of a powerful automation tool. It can be used to provision servers and applications as well as configure and audit security settings. Additionally, it has built-in reporting capabilities and can be used to monitor performance, availability, and scalability.
Red Hat Ansible is another popular automation tool and is a great choice for orchestrating server configuration and management tasks. It allows you to deploy, manage, and configure applications on both Windows Server and Linux systems. Ansible is an open-source solution that is easy to use and provides a secure way to automate IT tasks.
Finally, Microsoft offers an automation platform on Microsoft Azure called Automation for Servers. This tool allows you to quickly and securely provision, configure, monitor, and manage your Windows or Linux servers from the cloud. It also includes features for auditing compliance and managing virtual machines.
5. Consider a Virtual Private Server (VPS)
If you’re looking for a more powerful solution than shared hosting, but you don’t need the complexity of a dedicated server, then a VPS may be a great option for you. A VPS is essentially a virtual machine that runs on a physical server, with each virtual machine having its own dedicated resources.
This type of setup allows for greater scalability and performance, as well as increased control over your server environment. VPS hosting is often more affordable than dedicated server hosting and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. When choosing a VPS, make sure to consider the features included in the package. Look for features such as automatic backups, snapshots, and snapshots on demand.
You should also consider the type of operating system you need, as some providers offer Windows or Linux VPS plans. Additionally, consider the security measures in place and the ability to upgrade your plan in the future.
Finally, make sure to investigate the customer support options provided by your VPS provider. You should have access to reliable support resources such as live chat and email support, as well as access to knowledgeable technicians who can assist with any technical issues you may encounter. All of these factors will help ensure that your VPS runs smoothly and efficiently.
6. Evaluate the Cost of Different Solutions
One of the key considerations when choosing server software is cost. Licensing fees for server software can vary widely depending on the features and capabilities you need, so it’s important to evaluate the costs upfront. In some cases, you may be able to purchase a license for a one-time fee, while in other cases, you may need to pay a recurring subscription fee. You should also consider any additional costs associated with hosting, maintenance, and upgrades.
It’s also important to understand how the cost of server software will affect your overall IT budget. For example, if you choose a solution that is more expensive than other options on the market, you may be able to offset the cost by reducing expenses in other areas or by increasing revenues. Additionally, you should consider whether the initial cost of the software is worth the long-term benefits it will provide to your business.
Finally, if you are considering a cloud hosting service, make sure to compare the cost of cloud hosting with traditional on-premise solutions to ensure that you are getting the most value for your money.
7. Consider Cloud Hosting Services
Cloud hosting services are a great option for businesses of all sizes. Cloud hosting services allow you to store and access data over the internet, without the need for a physical server. This type of hosting has numerous advantages, including scalability and cost savings.
When choosing cloud hosting services, it’s important to consider the provider’s security measures. Look for providers that offer encryption techniques, firewalls, and other security features to ensure your data is protected. Additionally, make sure the provider offers a reliable uptime guarantee, so you can be confident that your data is always available.
It’s also important to consider the scalability of cloud hosting services. Choose a provider that has a flexible platform, so you can easily increase capacity as your business grows. Likewise, look for providers that offer performance features, such as advanced caching, to ensure your website runs smoothly.
Finally, be sure to check out user reviews and testimonials before committing to a cloud hosting service. Reviews can provide valuable insight into the provider’s customer service and reliability. Additionally, read up on the provider’s licensing terms and upgrades to make sure they meet your needs.
8. Check for Scalability and Performance Features
When choosing server software, it’s important to consider scalability and performance features. Scalability testing can help you determine how your system will perform under different levels of load. You should also check the performance of the server software in comparison to other similar solutions.
The performance metrics you should look at include response times, wait times, total response time, search time, threat prevention capabilities, and ArcGIS Server and ArcSOC performance. Additionally, you should investigate whether the server software offers hot-swappable PCIe Express Modules or other features that increase output and maintain acceptable performance.
9. Find User Reviews and Testimonials
As you are considering which server software to choose, it’s essential to look for user reviews and testimonials. This will give you a better idea of how the software has worked in real-world scenarios and what feedback users have had. Also, look for any reviews or feedback from industry experts as this can give you valuable insights into the pros and cons of the software.
You can find user reviews by searching online or by visiting the official website of the server software provider. Testimonials from industry leaders can also be found on their websites or on various review sites.
10. Analyze the Support Options Available
Good customer service is one of the most important features to look for when selecting server software. Make sure the company you are considering provides the level of support you need for your system. Most companies offer a variety of support options, including phone, email, and web chat.
You can also look for companies that offer customized support plans. For example, some companies offer “premium” plans with more advanced features like priority response times and access to technical experts. You should also consider the company’s record for responding quickly to customer inquiries. Check out online reviews and customer testimonials to get an idea of how their customer service team responds to issues.
Also, make sure the support team is available 24/7 in case you experience any unexpected problems or outages. This can save you a significant amount of time and money in the long run.
11. Review Licensing and Upgrades
When selecting server software, it’s important to understand the licensing requirements. Enterprise-level software can be expensive, and many vendors offer different pricing tiers depending on the number of licenses you need. Additionally, some vendors may offer free major version upgrades with current licenses.
Make sure you understand the pricing model and whether there are any licensing restrictions that could limit your use of the software in the future. You should also check to see if Software Assurance is required to take advantage of any discounts or upgrade options.
12. Examine the Ease of Setup & Maintenance
When it comes to server software, ease of setup and maintenance is a critical factor. It’s important to look for solutions which are designed to be easy to set up, configure and maintain. You should also consider solutions which automate routine tasks, such as patching and updating servers, to reduce the amount of manual work you need to do.
In addition, look for solutions which have built-in monitoring tools so that you can easily monitor the performance of your server software. This will help you ensure that your servers are always running optimally and can help you detect any potential issues quickly. Finally, make sure that the software has a comprehensive set of help and support resources so that you can quickly get assistance if something goes wrong.
13. Test Backup & Recovery Capabilities
When considering a server software solution, it’s important to look at the backup and recovery capabilities. This is especially true if you’re working with mission-critical data. Your server should offer reliable backup and recovery solutions that can help you quickly restore lost or corrupted data.
When evaluating server software solutions, look for solutions that offer automated backups, as well as multiple recovery options. Some solutions may also offer advanced recovery features such as incremental backups, versioning, and more.
It’s also a good idea to consider the type of storage media used for backup and recovery. For example, some server software solutions use cloud storage, while others may use physical media such as disks or tapes. Make sure the solution you choose offers the storage media that best fits your needs.
Finally, consider the security features offered by the server software solution. Look for features such as encryption, authentication, and access control to ensure that your data is protected from unauthorized access.
14. Monitor Reliability & Availability
Reliability and availability are two of the most important considerations when choosing the right server software. The best server software should have the ability to detect and respond to any system outages quickly, ensuring that your applications and services remain available. It should also be able to provide real-time monitoring of all your systems, so you can detect any potential issues before they become major problems.
When looking for server monitoring software, it’s important to look for features such as alerting, automated failover, and automatic restart capabilities. These features will help ensure that your system remains reliable and available at all times. Additionally, look for solutions that offer advanced reporting capabilities so you can get detailed insights into the performance of your servers.
Finally, consider the scalability of the server software you choose. If you plan to scale up or down in the future, make sure the solution you choose can accommodate those changes without requiring a complete overhaul of your infrastructure.
Conclusion
When selecting a server software, it’s important to evaluate all of the factors that could affect the performance and security of your system. You should consider the system requirements, security features, management tools, cost, scalability and performance, user reviews, support options, licensing and upgrades, ease of setup and maintenance, backup and recovery capabilities, reliability and availability, and more.
By taking all of these factors into account, you can make an informed decision about which server software is best for you. The right choice will depend on your particular needs. With some research and careful consideration, you can find the server software that will best meet your expectations.
References
- https://www.guru99.com/best-media-server-software.html