Managed servers and server administration in Corsica
With managed servers, the day-to-day administration of your servers is handed to a provider: updates, security, backups, monitoring and intervention when something goes wrong. From Bastia, we look after the servers that run your websites, applications and internal tools, whether they are rented from a host or in the cloud. You keep ownership of your data and access; we make sure everything works.
Server administration: what managed services cover
A server is a computer that runs continuously to provide a service: displaying your website, running an application, storing data. Like any system, it wears, drifts out of shape and becomes vulnerable if it is not maintained. Managed services bring together the tasks that keep it in good health.
- 01
Updates
Regular patching of the operating system and installed software, after checking compatibility with your applications.
- 02
Security
Firewall, named and protected administrator access, HTTPS certificates, removal of unnecessary services and of former suppliers' accounts.
- 03
Backups
Automated backups stored away from the server, with regular restore tests to make sure they genuinely work.
- 04
Monitoring
Automated monitoring continuously checks availability, disk space, memory and certificate validity, and alerts us as soon as an indicator goes off track.
- 05
Incident handling
Diagnosis and restoration of service when an incident occurs, followed by an explanation of what happened and what has been done to stop it happening again.
- 06
Containers and applications
Management of applications deployed in Docker containers, their updates and the resources allocated to them.
Managed servers for organisations without a system administrator
Most SMEs, startups and public bodies have no system administrator, the person whose job is to keep servers running. Developers would rather focus on the product, managers on their business, and server upkeep slips down the list until the first incident.
- 01
Your previous supplier has gone
Nobody knows exactly how the server was configured, or who holds the access.
- 02
The server has not been updated in a long time
Every month that passes adds known vulnerabilities and makes bringing it up to date trickier.
- 03
You have had an incident
An outage, a hack, a backup that cannot be found: often the moment to put things back on a sound footing.
- 04
Your business depends on online tools
Bookings, orders, public services: any interruption costs more and more.
How a managed server engagement gets started
- 01
Takeover audit
We inventory the servers, systems, applications, backups and access, and identify vulnerabilities and weak points.
- 02
Bringing things up to date
We deal with urgent issues first: critical updates, access to close, missing or untested backups.
- 03
Putting tools in place
We set up monitoring, automate backups and document the configuration.
- 04
Service framework
Together, in writing, we define the scope covered, the hours, how to reach us and how we intervene, and how you are kept informed.
- 05
Regular follow-up
Scheduled maintenance, reports and regular reviews to take stock and anticipate needs.
Documentation, reports and access: what you receive
Documentation is at the heart of managed services. You receive a runbook, a document describing how each server is configured, what runs on it and how to bring it back up. It comes with an inventory of machines and services, a list of access rights and who holds them, and the backup and restore procedures.
Throughout the contract, a log records interventions and updates, and periodic reports review the state of your servers, any incidents and our recommendations. You know what has been done, why, and what needs planning next.
What to check before handing your servers to a provider
- 01
Who owns the access
Hosting accounts, the domain name and administrator access should stay in your name. A provider should never be the only one able to get into your servers.
- 02
Reversibility
If you change provider one day, everything must be transferable: documentation, access, backups. We organise this from the start.
- 03
A clear scope
What is included, what is not and what is quoted separately should be set down in black and white.
- 04
Backups that are actually tested
Ask when the last restore test took place. A backup that has never been restored is only a promise.
- 05
Continuity
KALLISTACK is a small studio: you have a single point of contact who knows your set-up inside out. That is also why we document everything, so your infrastructure never depends on one person's memory.
Cost factors for managed servers
The cost of managed services depends on the number of servers and applications, their complexity, how critical the services are to your business, the hours covered and the type of intervention expected, the volume of backups and the initial state of the infrastructure. The initial clean-up is quoted separately from the ongoing support subscription, as are the hosting fees paid to the provider.
A brochure website and a booking platform at the height of the season do not call for the same level of cover: we match the contract to what an interruption would really cost you.
Evolving your servers and your managed services contract
Your needs change: a new application, more traffic, a new regulatory obligation. At regular reviews, we revisit the architecture, sizing and contract. Where useful, managed services lead on to a migration to more suitable hosting or to automating your deployments.
For hardware on your premises, such as a file server, a NAS or your staff's computers, our IT hardware and maintenance service takes over, with the same point of contact.
Technologies and methods
- Linux
- Docker
- Monitoring
- Backups
- HTTPS
- Firewall
- Documentation
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hosting and managed services?
Hosting provides the machine and the connection; managed services cover everything that happens on it: configuration, updates, security, backups, monitoring and incident handling. The host rents you a server; the managed services provider keeps it running properly.
Can you manage servers at our current host?
Yes. Managed services do not require us to move your servers. We start with a takeover audit and, if your current hosting is suitable, we keep it. A migration is only proposed if it brings a real benefit.
Will we keep access to our servers?
Always. The main access stays in your name and you receive the list of existing accounts. We have our own named accounts, which you can revoke at any time.
Do you work outside office hours?
That depends on the contract. The hours covered and how we intervene are agreed together, based on how critical your services are. We prefer a clear commitment that is kept to a vague promise.
Do you also look after our staff's computers?
This page covers servers and hosting. Workstations, networks and physical servers on your premises fall under our IT maintenance service, with the same point of contact.