To maintain a smooth operation of any online business or digital service you need a server that is efficient and that you can rely on. Here at catalyst2 we understand the challenges that businesses face daily; purely to keep their business alive so the challenges that are faced in addition to this when server issues are experienced causing additional headaches, potential loss of production and of course the expense can be vast.
Recognising and identifying common server problems early on and knowing how to avoid them can save your business time and money. We are committed to providing you with the knowledge and tools to keep your servers in optimal condition, allowing your business operations; and that is growing your business. In this post, we explore the most common server problems and provide you with practical tips on how to prevent them.
Common Server Issues
Downtime – Any period of unavailability is damaging in business operations and can disrupt production, operations, have a huge influence on customer experience and ultimately can lead to financial loss. Unfortunately, downtime is a common issue with server management and can severely impact your business.
Servers as we know are made up of numerous components; any of which can fail and lead to interruptions to your service. Regular maintenance and timely upgrades can manage and reduce this risk but unfortunately cannot eliminate it entirely, further emphasising the need for robust backup solutions.
Software issues, which can include glitches and incompatibilities, are another common culprit. Like hardware failure; regular updates are key to preventing these problems, but of course they can still occur unexpectedly. Thorough testing and ongoing monitoring can really help identify and resolve software issues before they impact your operations.
Configuration errors and bandwidth bottlenecks are all network issues which again can fundamentally lead to downtime. Established and appropriate network management, including regular audits and monitoring, as well as scalable infrastructure can mitigate these issues and maintain business as usual; whilst always looking ahead and planning for growth and also protection of your business of course.
Slow Performance – Slow performing servers are another common issue. Delays in loading websites and or applications can lead to frustration for the users, and for yourselves as the owners; resulting in the potential loss of business and positive experience that we all want our users to have. Implementing performance monitoring and optimisation techniques can help reduce these issues and ensure a smoother user experience.
One of the primary causes of slow performance is memory or lack of disk space. When resources are at their maximum and there is no more space; the server will struggle to handle incoming requests efficiently. This can lead to significant delays in the processing as well as the delivering of information, causing frustration for users and potential disruptions in business operations.
Software issues are another cause of slow performances. Outdated or incorrectly designed software can have a detrimental effect. Ensuring your software is regularly updated and properly designed is essential and neglecting these elements can result in slow and sluggish operations, affecting your productivity and overall customer satisfaction. Ensuring that you are up to date with updates and cleaning is essential towards aiding your software.
Security Vulnerability – Security exposure and weakness is a major issue. These vulnerabilities range from outdated software and weak passwords. Hackers are prevalent within the online world as we know and they can unfortunately exploit these weaknesses gaining unauthorised access, disrupting operations and even taking control of the entire server.
When software isn’t kept up to date it makes your server at risk and vulnerable. Outdated software doesn’t have the relevant safety requirements which makes it an easy target for hackers and cybercriminals. Ensuring all software is up to date is a crucial step in maintaining server security. Regular updates can address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall stability and performance of your server.
A weak password is a significant issue in terms of security. Servers often store critical information, and if access passwords are weak or reused across multiple platforms, they become susceptible to hackers and cyber attacks. Implementing a strong password policy as well as multi factor authentication will reduce this risk. Encouraging regular password changes can further enhance security by reducing the chances of unauthorised access.
Prioritising server security through regular updates, strong password policies, and proper configuration; is a vital step for all businesses that are reliant on online servers. We also encourage proactive measures, including regular maintenance, monitoring, and security practices, to reduce the risk of downtime and slow performance. We would recommend investing in a Dedicated Managed Server.
Choosing the Right Type of Server and Provider to Help you Avoid Issues
A crucial and essential step in tackling these issues is choosing the right type of server you use. We recommend following some simple steps to avoid the common issues;
- Assess your business needs – this includes your required storage, processing power, and security features. Understanding these requirements will help you choose the most suitable server solutions.
- Strong provider – choose a server provider with a strong reputation for great products that really do what they need to, reliability and excellent customer support. Look for reviews and testimonials to ensure you’re making an informed decision.
- Explore managed servers – a great option is to choose a provider to manage both the maintenance and updates for your server; this ensures you are always operating at optimal productivity.
- Consider scalability – evaluating the scalability possibilities of the server to accommodate your future potential growth. This ensures that as your business expands, your server infrastructure can grow, avoiding any disruption to your operations.
What to Do if You Experience Server Issues
Reacting quickly is the key and below are some simple steps to follow;
- Identify the problem – check for error messages and logs. This initial step can help pinpoint the root cause of the issue and help identify an appropriate solution. We also recommend documenting any error codes or messages you encounter.
- Restart your server – literally turn your server off and then back on again, this can resolve minor glitches but if the issues persists then contact your hosting providers support team immediately.
- Document the problem – we appreciate this will be a tense time but document the issue and steps you have taken to resolve it. This information may seem insignificant at the time, but it is truly valuable for support technicians.
- Regularly back up your data – once this issue has been resolved please; to minimise potential future loss during server issues we recommend undergoing regular backups. This practice ensures that you can quickly restore your system.
Be Proactive in Preventing Problems
We have over 20 years’ experience and have supported thousands of clients over the years giving us extensive knowledge and expertise in this area. Having come from simple beginnings to now being one of the most trusted names in the UK hosting arena, we exceed expectations and get things done.
We offer a multitude of options to ensure that your needs and requirements are met. Our Managed Dedicated Server is one of our prized products; meeting all your needs and requirements without fail. Since 2000, we have been supporting clients of all sizes and we are proud to be one of the most trusted names in the UK. To find out more about our servers; please visit our website today.
