Large enterprises have long used server management systems to speed installation of operating systems, applications, and patches. Small enterprises have continued to subsist with vendor specific tools or hands-on installation and management of servers, even as the data center has grown or become distributed to multiple locations. Server management platforms offer automated tools to free the IT staff from repetitive and error prone tasks.
Server management tools provide a wide range of capabilities including:
- Provisioning of server and installation of operating systems.
- Configuration of server hardware, network, and storage options.
- Application installation and configuration.
- Patch deployment and roll-back.
Automating these tasks, when adding new servers or maintaining existing servers, eases the process and saves staff time. By understanding the different options available for performing these tasks, IT staff can select the platform that best suits the needs of the data center.