Servers are very important for modern companies to run their business smoothly. Server uptime should be stable at all times so that consumers can access it whenever and wherever they need it. If downtime occurs, the losses can be very significant. Therefore, continuous server monitoring is necessary to maintain its performance. What is server uptime, and why is monitoring it so important?

What is Server Uptime?

Uptime on the server refers to the active time or the time during which the system operates without interruptions due to shutdowns or restarts. The server’s active time is the total duration the server functions and operates optimally. Uptime is a metric used to indicate server performance. Server uptime is monitored and measured using server monitoring tools.

What is the difference between Uptime and Availability?

In addition to uptime, there is also the term availability in servers, which refers to availability. These two terms are often used interchangeably, even though they actually represent two different things. Uptime is the amount of time the server operates well, expressed in years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds.

On the other hand, availability is the percentage of time calculated over a specific time interval during which the server can be used for the purposes intended by the company. In mathematical terms, it is as follows:

Availability % = Uptime / Total Time

Total Time = Uptime + Downtime

How to Check Server Uptime?

For a simple uptime check on devices running the Windows operating system, we can use Task Manager. The method is very easy, which is:

  • Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager.
  • Once Task Manager is open, click the Performance tab.
  • Under the Performance tab, the Uptime label will appear.

In addition to the above method, uptime on Windows devices can also be checked by looking at the last boot time from the command prompt. Just type >systeminfo, and the information will appear on the screen.

The Reason for Monitoring Server Uptime is Very Important

Server health can be optimized by monitoring server uptime. Monitoring can help reduce downtime, which can be very detrimental. Server monitoring tools will provide alerts if any issues are detected on the server and provide comprehensive reports.

As one of the important aspects of the overall performance of the server system, uptime needs to be monitored at all times. Here are some reasons why monitoring server uptime is very important in every company:

1. Checking Availability

As explained earlier, uptime and availability are related to each other within the server. With uptime monitoring, it becomes easier to consistently determine whether the server’s availability level is high or, conversely, low.

If the server experiences downtime periodically and quite frequently, then it can be said that the server is facing something serious. Therefore, the source of the problem must be identified and resolved as soon as possible. On the other hand, high uptime indicates that the server’s availability percentage is also high, making the server reliable and usable by consumers.

2. Server Performance Monitor

The information we get from server uptime does not display server performance data in detail, but at least the company’s IT team can analyze the duration of downtime and its frequency. Of course, this info is very helpful for finding trends and patterns happening on the server.

For example, downtime often occurs on servers during peak hours, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. This information indicates that there is a problem with the server capacity that needs to be considered and addressed immediately so that the frequency of downtime can be minimized.

3. Proactively Detect Problems

If the server uptime monitoring tool shows unexpected downtime or there is a downward trend in uptime numbers, then this information can be used as an early warning that there is a problem with the server.

The above information will not be obtained by the IT team if the server and especially uptime are not monitored. By proactively monitoring uptime, problems can be found before they become bigger and even cause even greater disruptions.

4. Analyze The Source Of The Problem

After getting information about server downtime, uptime metrics are not able to provide enough information to tell what is the real source of the problem. Even so, this info is still very useful. At least the IT team can narrow down the list of potential sources of problems.

For example, if a company’s server experiences sudden downtime, this may indicate a hardware failure. Meanwhile, if what happens is downtime that occurs in a short but frequent duration, then maybe the source of the problem is in the software or configuration.

5. Balancing The Load

Uptime data can indirectly indicate a load balancing issue if one server has a significantly lower uptime than another. From here, the source of the problem related to load balance can be found more easily.

Generally, this problem is caused by overload that is only done by one specific server. Therefore, IT teams need to reconsider redistributing the load to make the results more even.

6. Optimizing Server Maintenance Efforts

When a server gets consistently low uptime or frequent downtime, it means that the server needs more attention. Problems are not left alone because they will seriously disrupt the overall performance of the company. In the end, it is the consumers who experience dissatisfaction. As a result, businesses can lose money simply because downtime issues are not addressed immediately.

By monitoring uptime and downtime optimally, companies can optimize their efforts to maintain servers. Identifying problems can be done quickly thanks to the help of an uptime monitor. That way, the burden can be allocated and problems can be eliminated quickly.

7. Meet Compliance Requirements

Server uptime data can be used to show that the servers used by the company meet compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. This requirement requires that the server availability level must meet a minimum number. That way, server uptime monitoring tools are able to provide measurable and objective metrics to track and report.

Getting information related to server uptime and downtime is very important in every business in order to detect problems early and immediately find a way out. Therefore, a reliable monitoring tool is needed, such as the flagship product of Netmonk, Netmonk Prime, a network monitoring tool that has network monitoring, web/API, and server in 1 application only! 

With its superior product, Netmonk Prime, Netmonk provides proactive and preventive monitoring services to maintain server quality. Netmonk services have been used by companies such as Pelita Air Service, IndiBox, IndiHome, Telkom Indonesia, Peduli Lindungi, and many more. Find out more by visiting our website to try the demo for 14 days and request a quote. Make monitoring easy with us!