Servers are essential for a company's functioning workflows, as they provide the necessary services via the company's internal computer network. A server system failure can have severe consequences for office communication, websites, databases or accounting, for example. The server errors can relate to the hardware, software or operating system of the device. Server administration and maintenance are also a daily to-do in our IT department. That's why we asked our Head of IT Erek what our most common error messages are. Even if they cannot be completely avoided, the number of errors can be significantly reduced with the right know-how.

Server - in-house and cloud

What exactly is a server? The term means something like "servant". In the IT world, this term is used for both hardware and software-based servers. The hardware server refers to a computer that provides its own resources to other computers via a network.  It is integrated into a company computer network, contains an operating system and at least one software-based server. Although this is a physical device, the term does not refer to the computer itself, but rather to its function as a server. It is commonly referred to as the host, as it is the central network computer. The software-based server in turn refers to a program that provides a special service. This can be used by a local client or via a network.

With the help of a server, tasks can be distributed to different computers and thus made accessible to several end users. The server is permanently on standby, which means that its services can be accessed at any time and independently of each other. There are various options for using a server in a company. Two common options are in-house servers and cloud servers.

In-house server

So-called in-house servers can be both physical and virtual server environments. The hardware is available locally in the company and must therefore be set up, supplied and maintained on site. This means that all company data is stored on the company's own servers.

Cloud-Server

In comparison to in-house servers, cloud servers can be provided not only internal, but also external by third-party providers. In this case, the server is located in the data centers of the provider. If such services are booked, the company has control over the software, but not over the cloud-providing hardware. This kind of server hosting is also known as outsourcing.

Depending on the selected form of server use, i.e. whether server hosting or their own in-house servers, companies have varying degrees of influence on the hardware, operating system and software of their server system.

Error - The server throws out an error code

If server error messages occur and company-specific applications and information cannot be accessed, it is fatal for the company's internal work processes and information security. However, such error messages cannot be completely avoided and may have various reasons.

Typical error messages and their causes

Once again, we met with our Head of IT and asked which error messages our IT department has to fix from time to time:

Erek: "The most common server error messages when talking about hardware-based errors that we deal with are "Memory Error", "Fan Failure", "Disk Error" and "Connection Timed Out". These occur in different situations and can have different causes. One of the most common is definitely "Connection Timed Out". This occurs when the client, i.e. our colleagues, does not receive a response from the server and the connection is interrupted."
 

The "Memory Error" indicates problems with the server's memory module. Either the server has damaged or faulty memory areas or software, user requests and applications are overloading the available memory. This error can lead to programs or services slowing down, data loss or even server crashes.  

The "Fan Failure" message indicates that the fan is not working properly. This can be caused by damaged or loose cables, among other things. However, if these are intact, the problem may also be in the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), which is responsible for controlling the hardware. The temperature of the CPU  (Central Processing Unit) and the speed of the fan can be controlled and adjusted in the BIOS.

In the event of a "Disk Error", the BIOS cannot find the operating system or a bootable drive. As a result, the medium cannot be started and access to the operating system is not possible. This is often due to an error while reading the hard disk.

As already explained by our Head of IT, the error message "Connection Timed Out" means that the client is not receiving a response from the server and therefore cannot establish a connection. The reason may be the internet connection, the browser, the firewall or even the server itself.

Further causes of malfunctions

Server error messages can vary greatly depending on their use in the company context and depending on the device. The causes of such error messages are also very diverse.  The following table provides an overview of possible digital and external causes:

What  you can do to avoid malfunctions

Generally speaking, disruptions cannot be completely avoided, but the risk of them can be significantly minimized. Thanks to our in-house servers, for example, our IT admins have full control over the entire system and can intervene at an early stage. Erek, what is particularly important to ensure that our servers run as smoothly as possible?

Erek: "To ensure that our servers run as smoothly as possible, regular maintenance and the associated monitoring and updating of server software and hardware is essential. In addition, constant monitoring of server performance is important in order to detect errors at an early stage. We make sure to implement appropriate security measures such as improving our firewalls and regular backups."

These tips can help to resolve server error messages:

Memory Error

• Check cables and connecting parts (e.g. server cable, power cable, connecting cable)
• Perform upgrades to larger memory modules if required
• Check systems for malware that may be running in the background and using up memory
• Close applications that are not required
• Check the operating system, as it can only process a maximum memory size
• Update BIOS

Fan Failure

• Check cables
• Check the fan for dust or defects
• if there is no overheating or defects, the current speed of the cooler can be displayed in the BIOS menu and the entry can be switched to "ignore"

Disk Error

• Remove external devices
• Check the hard disk cable
• Reboot the server
• Reset or update the BIOS

Connection Timed Out

• Check connection
• Check system for malware
• Delete browser data
• Check LAN settings
• Check VPN and deactivate temporarily if necessary
• Check proxy settings and deactivate temporarily if necessary
• Empty cache
• Restart router

Generally speaking:

• Check the internet connection - is the connection stable and the transmission speed sufficient?
• High level of cyber security - securely configured operating system, up-to-date firewalls and backups 
• Regular maintenance - this includes hardware checks, repairs and cleaning
• Software updates - the software must also be constantly updated and corrected
• Server performance monitoring - regular checks ensure that errors can be detected at an early stage
• Restart - some error messages may make it necessary to restart the network server
• Upgrade hardware components - occasionally outdated or defective components may need to be replaced
• Also: humidity meters, fire detectors and regular temperature checks in the server room

In-house oder outsourcing?

Regardless of the possible error messages of a server, the choice between an in-house solution (in-house server) or outsourcing (cloud server) depends entirely on the IT services required and the size of a company. We opted for in-house servers as it gives us more control and flexibility over the server environment. This allows us to tailor the services to our individual needs, standards and security guidelines. Our IT admins can act as quickly as possible and find suitable solutions, especially in the event of server malfunctions.  However, as company needs differ, we will briefly outline the advantages of in-house and cloud servers below.

Advantages in-house

Companies with in-house servers have full control over their data and applications, which brings decisive security advantages and enables fast response times. This is particularly important for applications with high performance requirements. In addition, the server environment can be individually adapted to the requirements and needs of the company, as there is no dependency on external providers. In the long term, in-house servers are more cost-efficient as they are not tied to monthly tariffs. Furthermore, cheaper refurbished goods are also available for an initial purchase.  

Advantages outsourcing

Small and medium-sized companies in particular benefit from the advantages of server outsourcing. They often lack the financial resources and technical expertise to integrate in-house servers, so cloud servers offer a real alternative. Cloud servers not only reduce the entry costs, but also the costs of hiring IT administrators in the company. External providers also offer cloud servers with a certain performance and clear framework conditions, such as clearly defined storage. The booked performance can be expanded or reduced relatively quickly if required. In addition, companies do not have to spend any time maintaining the systems, as the managed support services take care of this for cloud services.

Conclusion

Server error messages are a challenge for every company and cannot be completely avoided. However, fast access to the server systems, regular maintenance or up-to-date firewalls can help to reduce the error rate. In particular, having in-house servers can offer decisive advantages in countering faults. As a strong partner and sustainable IT trading company, we are happy to assist you with the purchase of your server systems. In addition to cost-effective servers, you will also find refurbished routers, switches and other hardware components as well as effective firewalls in our store. Do you need support? Our sales team will be happy to assist you with any questions or requests.