SERVER MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

Preventive maintenance saves time and money, improves performance,

and helps to safeguard important data files.
Daily
1.

Review event and audit logs Check the event logs for warining and error messages, including
application and database errors. Error logs can including errors for both software and hardware failures
that need to be addressed before they become big problems.

2.

Backup Server Perform a backup of the server, either locally or off-site in the event of a server
failure. This will reduce cost and downtime to your business. Run and/or verify that backups of systems
and data files completed successfully.

3.

Keep track of servers system events Run Windows Event Viewer to record system, security
and application-related issues. If Active Directory is installed, look at the Directory Logs

4.

Server Security Make sure that IPSec (IP Security) Services are running. This service protects
the network from attacks and information monitoring by encrypting the data. It also prevents ID
spoofing where attackers can falsify the identity of the sender or receiver. Use IPSec to configure and
set the appropriate user privileges for your department or organization. Also, make sure the Windows
Firewall is running to prevent network intrusions. Windows Firewall is available in Windows 2003 SP1
and later versions.

5.

Prevent Virus Infections Ensure that your server has a proper virus protection. Protecting your
server can help protect your network and your client computers.

6.

Monitor System performance, activity, and hard-drive space-Make sure that there is sufficient
RAM (memory) and CPU resources and hard drive space to adequately run your server. Low resources
can cause slow performance and possible corruption of files and applications. Take appropriate actions
as needed.

7.

Physical checks of the systems hardware and connections Visualy check the equipment for any
alarms, inoperative lights, other malfunctions that could inhibit proper performance.

8.

Protect Files against possible deletion Activate Shadow Copies of Shared Folders to automate
the retention and protection of files on a server. This service restores files that have been deleted or
overwritten preventing you from having to reload backup copies.

Weekly
1.

Evaluate the servers reliability Run the Reliability and Performance Scanner to collect
information on performance, errors, usage, configurations, and other events that may compromise the
servers reliability.

2.

Keep the server system updated Download and install the Windows Server Updated Services.
This service downloads security and performance updates. It also allows you to manage, test, distribute
and install these updates.

3.

Keep User Rights Updated Run the Active Directory Certificate Services role to configure,
maintain and manage user access rights as needed. This is important if you frequently have employment
turnover.

4.

Perform and/or verify weekly backups-

5.

Update anti-virus signature files to keep current protection

6.

Run anti-virus scan to detect and remove any malware that may have been transmitted to the
server.

7.

Run file system integrity diagnostics to detect any system problems and repair them before a
shutdown becomes necessary.

8.

Check for unnecessary services that are running and may cause server interruption.

Monthly
1.

Perform assessment of security review for any changes which could cause vulnerability

2.

Perform hardware/software inventory to keep track of server information and lists

3.

Run password cracking tool to detect weak passwords that need to be replaced

4.

Perform and/or verify monthly backups of system and data files.

5.

Verify user account configurations by running DumpSec to verify configuration.