Maximize your Windows 2003 Server security, performance and reliability with ServManage^® - the industry leading package of managed hosting services and software.

1. System Configuration and Administration

Each ServersFirst Windows 2003 dedicated server is initially set up and configured as a production Internet server using the Microsoft Security Checklist and our own security lock-down procedure. All servers are pre-configured with the most recent Microsoft Critical Updates, hot fixes and security patches.

Configuration services include hard disk partitioning and testing, Operating System installation and configuration, user lock down, permission lock down, Event Viewer configuration, log file initialization, utilities installation and testing, IIS and FTP configuration (web servers only) and Windows Critical Update scheduling.

In most cases, Alentus personnel will also pre-configure dedicated web servers to support one or more websites for immediate deployment. Our Dedicated Server Configuration Kit provides customers with detailed information on the set up new websites, users, FTP access and more on their server.

Custom Configurations. While we recommend our proven and reliable operating system and partitioning configurations, we do allow customers to request custom configurations. If you wish to discuss a custom configuration, please contact our Server Solutions Experts to discuss your requirements.

2. Windows Critical Updates

As a Microsoft Certified Partner, we have been provided by Microsoft with the entire Windows Update technology and we operate our own customized Windows Critical Update service. This service removes the uncertainty of going to Microsoft and choosing updates, as our own service downloads all updates on a nightly basis and our technical personnel evaluate each update before making it available to subscribed Windows servers on our network.

Our Windows Critical Update service is an automated process that ensures your server is kept up-to-date with the latest level of server security and reliability. The Update Service is included free with all dedicated Windows 2003 servers and customers are encouraged to subscribe their server to this service. However, you are free to opt-out of this service and perform your own server updates.

Service Pack Notes: Please be aware that we do not automatically install major Windows Service Packs, as doing so may have a negative impact on the operation of a server and/or applications running on the server. We evaluate all major Windows Service Packs in a controlled test-bed environment and give the option to customers to install or have the Service Pack installed to their server.

3. SecureStor Backup Software and Data Protection Services

The SecureStor program is a robust, feature-rich backup client that is installed on your Windows 2003 Server and configured to backup your valuable data to our secure dedicated backup disk arrays. SecureStor can be configured as an automated Windows operating system service and your backups can be easily setup to run automatically on a nightly basis.

Note: The SecureStor backup service is included by default with all servers, except the following - PE-850 and SC-1425. If you wish to add the backup service to these servers, please see our Server Software section for further details.

Disaster Recovery. Our SecureStor service is data backup and restore service that meets the stringent requirements for data protection, confidentiality and security. SecureStor should be included in your disaster recovery plan (DRP) to ensure you are securely storing backups of your organization's critical files and data. The SecureStor backup client makes data recovery a snap, allowing you to restore one or multiple files with only a few mouse clicks.

Data Encryption and Protection. SecureStor supports a secret key technology using a special text string used to encrypt all data that is stored on our backup server disk arrays. Alentus ServersFirst personnel CANNOT read or open files stored on our backup servers. Only those who know the secret key are able to un-encrypt the data and the secret key can be changed at any time in between backups or restores. If the secret key is forgotten or lost, our Backup Server Administrators may not be able to recover your data on the server. Hint: store your secret key in a safe place.

FastBIT Patching. The FastBIT patching process is the core technology behind our SecureStor backup service. The patching process involves the comparison of two different versions of the same file and extracting the differences between the files. When the differences are extracted from the two files, they are saved into a new file and compressed into what is known as a Patch. The patch file is often 85% to 99.9% smaller than the file which the patch was extracted from originally. In order to perform a FastBIT backup, the software has to backup the files 3 times: the first backup is a full, the next backup will perform an incremental, and the third performs the first FastBIT backup.

5. Server and Network Monitoring

ServersFirst dedicated server customers are provided with their own private, login protected web site that gives them MRTG (Multi Router Traffic Grapher) generated data and graphical images of their server's Internet traffic activity. Traffic analysis is performed and updated in five-minute intervals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

6. Alert Notification System

All dedicated servers are enabled to support the ServManage Notification System (SMS), which provides 24x7 monitoring services for your server. Our SMS supports email, text messaging and cell phone alerts and immediately notifies our technical personnel of any HTTP, FTP, CPU, Disk, or access problems with your server.

7. Website Traffic Reports and Analysis

Urchin Website Statistics is our easy-to-use and affordable web traffic analysis service that allows you to monitor your web site traffic. Use this information to your advantage, and improve the design and efficiency of your web site.

8. Dedicated Firewall Services

To protect your data and web applications from unauthorized intruders, all ServersFirst dedicated servers are placed behind a fortified, UNIX-based, Alentus-managed firewall. Firewall rules are set, managed and reviewed on a regular basis by Alentus personnel, which helps to ensure any new firewall loopholes cannot be compromised. You also have the option of enabling the software firewall services provided with Windows 2003 Server, which add an additional layer of firewall protection to your server.

9. DNS Services

Each ServersFirst dedicated server customer is provided with multiple DNS entries using Alentus' primary and secondary DNS servers. This service allows you to run multiple websites on a single dedicated web server, without the necessity of operating and managing your own DNS servers.

10. Email Services

Each ServersFirst dedicated server customer is provided with multiple POP3 email accounts using Alentus' POP3 email servers. Using our Email Admin Console, you can fully manage all of your email services via a web browser. Our own email services provide you with a worry and hassle free means of providing email messaging for your users.

Microsoft Exchange Server. As a Microsoft Certified Partner and member of the Microsoft Service Providers Licensing Program, we are able to offer competitive monthly pricing for Shared Hosting of Exchange Server 2003 and 2007. Please contact our Server Solutions Experts for further information.

  Have questions? Need answers? If you have any questions regarding our Managed Hosting Services or options, our helpful and friendly Sales Representatives are happy to assist you. Please call our Sales Department toll free at 1-877-922-9903, Monday - Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm MDT.

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