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Server+ Certification Cram Notes

Server hardware maintenance - Drives

Drives are an essential component of server hardware, as they are responsible for storing and accessing the data that the server processes. Proper maintenance of drives can help ensure their longevity and prevent data loss due to drive failure.

Here are some key aspects of drive maintenance:

1. Monitoring: Server administrators should regularly monitor the drives for signs of failure or degradation. This can be done through built-in monitoring tools or third-party software.

2. Cleaning: Server rooms can accumulate dust and debris, which can clog the air vents on drives and cause overheating. It is important to clean the drives and their surrounding area regularly to prevent this.

3. Backups: Data backups should be performed regularly to ensure that important data is not lost in the event of a drive failure.

4. Firmware upgrades: Drive manufacturers may release firmware upgrades that can improve performance or fix bugs. It is important to regularly check for and apply any available upgrades.

5. Replacement: If a drive is showing signs of failure or has failed, it should be replaced as soon as possible. In some cases, drives may have a warranty that covers replacement.

6. RAID maintenance: If the server is using RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), the RAID configuration should be checked and maintained regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly and providing data redundancy.

Overall, regular drive maintenance can help ensure that servers are running optimally and prevent data loss due to drive failure.

Hot-swappable hardware

Hot-swappable hardware refers to components that can be replaced or added to a server while it is running, without the need to power it off. This capability allows for maintenance and upgrades to be performed without causing downtime or disruptions to the services provided by the server.

Some of the common hot-swappable hardware components include:

1. Drives: Hard drives, solid-state drives, and other storage devices can be hot-swapped in and out of a server. This allows for the replacement of failed drives or the addition of new drives to expand the storage capacity of the server.

2. Cages: Drive cages or bays are the slots where the drives are inserted into the server chassis. These cages are sometimes hot-swappable, which means that they can be replaced without powering off the server.

3. Cards: PCIe cards, such as network interface cards, RAID controllers, or graphics cards, can also be hot-swapped. This allows for the replacement or addition of hardware without powering off the server.

4. Power supplies: Most modern servers have redundant power supplies, which means that they can continue to operate even if one of the power supplies fails. The failed power supply can be hot-swapped while the server continues to operate on the remaining power supply.

5. Fans: Server fans are critical components that help to dissipate the heat generated by the server's components. Hot-swappable fans can be replaced while the server is running, ensuring that the server remains cool and stable.

Hot-swappable hardware requires proper planning and maintenance to ensure that it works correctly. This includes ensuring that the server's hardware and firmware are up-to-date and that the components are compatible with the server. Additionally, proper cable management and airflow should be maintained to ensure that hot-swappable hardware can be safely added or removed from the server without disrupting the server's performance.

Basic input/output system (BIOS)/Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) are firmware interfaces that provide low-level software interfaces between the operating system, hardware, and system firmware. They are responsible for initializing and configuring hardware components during the boot process, and provide basic services to the operating system.

BIOS is a legacy firmware interface that was first introduced in the 1980s. It is stored in a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard, and is responsible for initializing hardware components such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices during the boot process. The BIOS also provides a user interface for configuring system settings, such as boot order, date and time, and hardware settings. However, the BIOS has several limitations, including a limited amount of storage space, lack of support for modern features such as network booting and large hard drives, and a slow boot time.

UEFI is a modern firmware interface that was developed to overcome the limitations of the BIOS. It is stored in a separate non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard, and provides a faster, more flexible, and more secure boot process than the BIOS. UEFI supports modern features such as network booting, large hard drives, and secure boot, and provides a graphical user interface for configuring system settings. UEFI also includes a pre-boot environment called the UEFI Shell, which allows users to execute commands and run programs before the operating system is loaded.

Overall, UEFI is a more advanced and capable firmware interface than the BIOS, and is increasingly being adopted by manufacturers as the standard for system firmware.

2. Server administration

Server administration refers to the management and maintenance of servers, which are computers or computer programs that provide specific services to other computers or devices on a network. Server administration involves a range of tasks, including installing, configuring, and maintaining server hardware and software, managing user accounts and permissions, monitoring server performance, and troubleshooting issues that arise.

Server administrators are responsible for ensuring that servers are running smoothly and efficiently, and that they are secure and protected from unauthorized access or attacks. They may also be responsible for backing up data, restoring lost or corrupted files, and performing regular updates and patches to keep the server's software up-to-date and secure.

Server administration can be performed by in-house IT staff or outsourced to third-party providers. It requires a thorough understanding of server hardware and software, as well as networking protocols and security best practices.

Minimum operating system (OS) requirements for server computer

The minimum operating system requirements for a server computer can vary depending on the specific server hardware and software being used. Generally, server operating systems require more resources than desktop operating systems due to the increased demands of server applications and services.

Some common server operating systems include:

1. Windows Server: The minimum requirements for Windows Server 2019 are a 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of storage. However, these requirements may vary depending on the specific edition of Windows Server being used.

2. Linux: The minimum requirements for a Linux server can vary depending on the specific distribution being used. For example, CentOS 8 requires at least a 2 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 20 GB of storage.

3. Unix: The minimum requirements for a Unix server can vary depending on the specific version and distribution being used.

It is important to note that while meeting the minimum requirements is necessary for the operating system to function, it may not be sufficient to support all the applications and services that will be running on the server. In general, it is recommended to have more resources than the minimum requirements to ensure optimal performance and stability.

Hardware compatibility list (HCL)

A hardware compatibility list (HCL) is a document or a web page that outlines the compatibility of computer hardware components or peripherals with a particular operating system (OS) or software application. The list typically includes information on hardware devices such as motherboards, network adapters, storage controllers, graphics cards, and input/output devices.

The purpose of an HCL is to provide guidance to IT professionals, system administrators, or users who are building, upgrading, or maintaining computer systems. By consulting an HCL, they can ensure that the hardware components they are using are compatible with the OS or application they intend to run on the system. This can help prevent issues such as system instability, crashes, or data corruption. HCLs are often provided by the hardware vendors themselves, as well as b

HCLs are often provided by the hardware vendors themselves, as well as by the OS or software vendors. They may be updated periodically to reflect new hardware or software releases, or changes in compatibility status. Some HCLs may also include information on recommended hardware configurations, performance benchmarks, or other useful details.

Installations

Server installations refer to the process of setting up an operating system on a server computer. There are several installation methods available, each suited for different scenarios. Here is an overview of some installation methods:

1. Graphical user interface (GUI): In this installation method, the OS is installed using a graphical interface. This method is suitable for servers with local access or for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces.

2. Core: This installation method installs the OS without the graphical interface, which reduces the OS footprint and decreases the attack surface.

3. Bare metal: This installation method involves installing the OS directly on the server's hardware, without any virtualization layer.

4. Virtualized: This installation method involves setting up the OS on a virtual machine hosted on a hypervisor.

5. Remote: In this method, the OS is installed remotely over the network.

6. Slip streamed/unattended: This method involves integrating the OS installation media with updates, patches, and drivers to create an updated installation media that can be used to install the OS without requiring additional updates or patches.

  • i. Scripted installations: This method involves creating scripts that automate the OS installation process.

  • ii. Additional drivers: Sometimes, additional drivers are required for the OS to function correctly, especially when dealing with newer hardware.

  • iii. Additional applications and utilities: This method involves installing additional applications and utilities that are required for the server's specific use case.

  • iv. Patches: This method involves installing security patches and updates to keep the OS up to date and secure.

7. Media installation type:

  • i. Network: In this method, the OS is installed over the network, typically using a network boot image.

  • ii. Optical: This method involves installing the OS from a physical CD or DVD.

  • iii. Universal serial bus (USB): This method involves installing the OS from a USB drive.

  • iv. Embedded: This method involves installing the OS on a device with limited resources, such as an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

8. Imaging:

  • i. Cloning: This method involves creating an exact copy of an existing server's hard drive onto a new one, which can be used to quickly set up multiple servers with identical configurations.

  • ii. Virtual machine (VM) cloning: This method involves creating a virtual machine image of an existing VM that can be used to quickly deploy identical VMs.

  • iii. Physical clones: This method involves creating a physical copy of a server's hard drive, which can be used to quickly replace a failed hard drive.

  • iv. Template deployment: This method involves creating a template that can be used to quickly deploy new servers with a predefined configuration.

  • v. Physical to virtual (P2V): This method involves converting an existing physical server into a virtual machine image that can be deployed on a virtualization platform.


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