How to manage a dedicated server:

Dedicated hosting service generally comes in two packages. One is with partially managed and the other with fully manager services. The first one suits those users who have in-house technical resources to manage the servers to ensure maximum on-line availability. In most cases partially managed hosting packages may include installment and customization of OS to suit customer’s requirements. The hosting team also ascertains that basic security features are put in place as per the customer’s need and monitors the server round the clock to assure that the server doesn’t go offline.

The second type of package is fully-managed hosting. This suits the companies that either don't have an in-house IT staff or want to free up their IT staff to focus on their cores business tasks. In many cases it is observed that companies are skeptical about giving the management & hosting of their servers over to their web hosting provider. Experience shows that those who avail managed hosting services can save money and time by focusing on their core business.

While buying a server hosting plan, the buyer should find out whether the plan is un-managed server or fully managed server since an unmanaged server greatly reduces the overhead cost of a dedicated server provider and it comes with low price tags.

The buyers should know exactly what is covered under managed services. Here is a guide for the buyers, but remember this list is not exhaustive as many times buyers’ need are different:

• Kernel Upgrades, OS patches, System pre installed services updates.
• Custom DNS configuration
• Software Firewall Installation and Configuration
• Backups and restoration help if needed
• Control panel Updates
• DLL setup Assistance
• Assistance in, creating, deleting, setting up email
• Assistance in system alerts or warnings
• Mysql updates, Database corruption assistance
• SSL configuration and installation
• Email/FTP troubleshooting
• High Server Load troubleshooting
• Bandwidth monitoring & management
• Hardware Replacement as per SLA
• Server Recovery on failure
• Failed Drive service restoration
• Hands on help with preinstall system settings

If you don't know from where to start then let me know me@ashishchowdhury.com , if I can of any help to you. I Wish you the very Best of luck in finding a good server hosting company!