To keep a computer network running smoothly, you need to manage both the physical equipment and the software that controls it. This process is divided into Hardware Maintenance and Network Operating System (NOS) Maintenance.
1. Hardware Maintenance
This focuses on the physical health of network components like servers, workstations, routers, and cabling.
- Preventive: Regular cleaning to remove dust (which prevents overheating), checking for loose cables, and monitoring fan performance.
- Corrective: Replacing failing parts such as hard drives (HDD/SSD), power supply units, or adding more RAM to handle increased workloads.
2. Network Operating System (NOS) Maintenance
This involves the software side, ensuring the central server and connected clients remain secure and efficient.
- Updates & Patching: Regularly installing security patches and OS updates to protect against new cyber threats.
- Backups: Scheduled copying of critical data and system configurations to a separate storage device or the cloud.
- User & Resource Management: Auditing user permissions and cleaning up old files or print queues to free up server resources.