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Data Recovery From Server Computers

Computers are of many types depending on their size and use. Desktop computers are an assembly of various units such as a monitor, input devices and a CPU. It typically resides on a desk, as their name suggests. Laptops are very small computers that integrate the CPU, monitor and keyboard into one portable unit. Palmtops are even smaller than laptops.

One of the most important computer systems is what is called a server. It is a central computer, or an application running on it, that “serves” other computers (“clients”) and responds to their service requests. Servers are very important machines that run mission-critical programmes. They are designed to be rugged and able to run for a long time on their own with minimum supervision.

Servers use modified operating systems that have special modules built in to ensure a more efficient running of various applications and programmes. The most popular operating systems for servers – all derived from UNIX – include Solaris, Linux and FreeBSD.

Servers that are not running mission-critical applications or do not have much load can be built using commonly available computer parts similar to the ones used in desktops. However, for servers which handle a large amount of traffic and are mission-critical, there exists an expert and more robust hardware that is optimised for their particular needs.

Servers are of many types:

Web Servers: These form the backbone of the Internet and host all the websites that you see on the World Wide Web. They have website files stored on their hard disks and provide a file at a time across a network on the demand of the web browser installed on client computers.

Mail Servers: These servers are very common and store and transfer emails over a corporate or international network such as the Internet.

FTP Servers: The FTP servers are tailor-made to move data files securely from one computer to another on the Internet using the File Transfer Protocol.

Application Servers: These servers host various applications and software programmes and typically act as a mediator between a huge database and the client computers.

RAID

RAID is short for “Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks.” Because the data-storage needs of servers are huge, the most popular way to fulfil this requirement is to wire up a large number of commonly available hard disks together so that they function as one unit but still deliver more functionality than one single disk having a huge capacity. The disks can be arranged in different types of array architectures, from RAID 1 to RAID 5. RAID 0 is referred to denote an architecture which is not redundant.

Data Loss

Servers can suffer data loss in various ways. They may become unbootable or the RAID architecture may become corrupt. Viruses, worms and Trojans are quite common reasons. Other causes of server failure include deleted partitions, corruption of the controller card, natural or man-made disasters and human error.

Protecting Your Server

Servers hold mission-critical data whose loss can be a tremendous setback to businesses. It is therefore essential to take all precautions to keep the server data safe. There are many things you can do on your own to secure the data or try to recover it in case of data loss.

The first thing you should do is to check that all cables are connected properly to various components. In normal operations or servers, lot of subtle vibrations are created as hard drives and fans do their job. Connections can become loose due to this.

Servers have to be protected from excessive heat. Heat has a slow but devastating effect on integrated circuits (ICs), memory chips, processors and hard drives. You should take care that the room where the servers are kept remains cool at all times. Also, ensure that the fans inside CPU are set at the correct RPM.

Apart from heat, dust and other contaminants suspended in the air are the biggest enemies of servers. They prevent proper connectivity and hinder free circulation of air inside the CPU. You should clean the insides of the servers regularly with an air blower to wipe dust off all vents, ICs and ports.