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Performing Common Maintenance Tasks

This section includes information about the following tasks:


Backing Up Server Data

Maintaining a daily backup of the data on your is crucial to the security of your data.

For information about the backup software included with NetWare, see Storage Management Services Administration Guide.


Checking Server Error Logs

Check server error logs at least once a week, even if you don't believe there have been errors. Problems caught early are easier to solve. View the error logs with EDIT (command line) or Editor (GUI) at the server console or with a text editor from a workstation.

When needed, NetWare creates the following error logs in SYS:SYSTEM:


Checking Disk Drives

Once a week check the Storage Devices statistics to make sure that the operating status of each disk is active. You can do this in MONITOR or in NetWare Remote Manager by clicking the View Statistics link in the navigation frame and then selecting the applicable drives you want to view.

If you rarely use the diskette drive on your server, you might want to test the drive about twice a year to make sure it's running properly.


Reviewing Server Cache Statistics

For more information about monitoring and optimizing server memory, see "Optimizing Server Memory" in the Server Memory Administration Guide.

For server's using Novell Storage Management, see "Setting the Cache Buffers in the Novell Storage Services Administration Guide.

For servers using the traditional file system, do the following:

  1. Review the traditional file server cache statistics weekly.

    These statistics are found on the System Memory Information page in NetWare Remote Manager or on the General Information screen of MONITOR.

  2. Divide the value of Total Cache Buffers by the value of Original Cache Buffers to determine the percentage of available cache.

    Ideally, file server cache should be 70% or more of the total cache.

  3. If the percentage falls below 50%, add more memory to the server.


Checking Free Space on Server Disks and Volumes

  1. Check server disks and volumes weekly to make sure they have enough free space.

    To determine the amount of free space, load MONITOR and select Volumes. The Mounted Volumes screen lists all mounted volumes, their capacity, and the percentage of the volume that is full.

    Keep at least 15% to 20% free space on any disk.

    Keep at least 20% free space on volume SYS: and at least 10% free space on other volumes. If volume SYS: fills up, your server hangs.

  2. If the free space is less than the recommended values, increase the size of the volume or remove unneeded files and directories.

You can use REBUILD on NSS logical volumes and VREPAIR on traditional volumes. See "VREPAIR" or "REBUILD" in Utilities Reference.


Reviewing User Accounts

  1. Review all users and objects on the network once a month to make sure that there are no intruders, obsolete accounts, or unauthorized accounts.

  2. Make sure accounts are closed for all users who have left the system.


Testing the Uninterruptible Power Supply

If your network has an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), check it twice a year to make sure it's running properly. Choose a time when no users are logged in to the network.

  1. Bring down the server and exit to DOS, but do not turn off the computer.

  2. While the computer is still running, unplug it.

    If your UPS system is working properly, the computer should continue to run.

    If the server powers off, your UPS batteries are probably low or dead. Check and replace them.


Documenting the Network

It is important to document your network. Keeping records of network layout, hardware and software inventory, configuration, repairs, and backup schedules will save you time and work if you need to rebuild or replace parts of the network, justify new equipment, or restore the network after a disaster. You will also need much of this information if you ever need to call Novell Technical Support. You might want to keep documentation in a notebook or online in a database.

IMPORTANT:  Whether you store your network documentation in a notebook or in a database, keep multiple copies and update them regularly. Always store one or more copies offsite---along with your taped backups. Documentation does no good if it's destroyed with the network itself in a major disaster.

Your network documentation should include the following:



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