• Hardware failure. Servers run on computers; computers are machines. Like all machines, computers can suffer from hardware failure. When a server goes down, its resources or the resources that it manages will likely no longer be available. To your user and customer groups, an unavailable server can cause much frustration.
• Unauthorized access. Hackers recognize that servers are critical components in the enterprise. Because of their importance, servers are a prime target for hacker intrusion. Network administrators should closely monitor who is accessing server resources.
• Software failure. Servers frequently run essential business applications. Should one or more of those applications fail, staff and customers could be negatively affected. When applications are unavailable, the business may be unable to accomplish its work, resulting in financial losses.
• Other security issues. Besides unauthorized access, other security issues come into play with server technologies. Servers maintain passwords, contain resources that must be secured, provide directory services, authenticate users, and so on.
• Port monitoring. Administrators need to know whether an application or service running on a given IP address and port is running.
• Content monitoring. Administrators need to know if content has been altered and if the content delivery mechanism is working properly.
• Database monitoring. Administrators need to know if the database server is running and if it is accessible. As you can see, monitoring server performance is essential. Many tools are available to the network administrator that enables him or her to perform such monitoring.