A Server Should Be Reduced To A Singularity...

I usually host numerous servers. Web, Mail, SQL, SSH, Proprietary and whatever bulk may come with them. Although it is quite possible, and seemingly practical, to host all on a single machine it is a poor practice and requires high-grade server hardware to maintain good overall service. Instead a better approach, for the Non 'Hyper-Global-Mega-Dyne', Like myself, is a set of servers where each server is of consumer-grade and represents an individual type. Web, Mail, etc... Really! Yeah; I can buy the hardware to build 10 servers for the cost of one HP Server. To simplify... I can create a single server, for every type I host, and have spare parts to replace anything in an emergency. I will also get a better than five years service average. Additionally the simplification inherent to each server makes backing up and restoration a simple chore that does not effect any other service provided to the interface.

To reinforce this methodology I write a set of scripts, for each server, that get it to a state where all it needs is to restore user-data to resume operations. Frequently... An entire swap out can normally be done in less than two hours and when it's a simple repair like a power-supply then down-time can be reduced to minutes.

And that's pretty good service for a Mail Server that typically has only three recipients.

Private vs. Public Presentation...

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Benefits Of Virtual Servers...

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Good Server Configuration Practices...

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General Server Maintenance Responsibilities...

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Providing A Web Server...

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Maintaining A Mail Server...

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