What does outsourced server and network administration include?

Typically server and network monitoring, patching, user and access management, backups, configuration changes, firewall and VPN management, capacity planning and documentation.

Can servers and networks be managed remotely?

Yes. Most administration is done remotely through secure management tools. On-site tasks, like replacing hardware, are handled by local technicians or vendors under the administrator's direction.

Is outsourced network administration secure?

It can be more secure than an overstretched internal team, provided access is controlled with MFA, logged, limited to what each task needs and reviewed regularly.

Usually per server and per network device per month, or as a dedicated administrator through staff augmentation.

Outsourced Server and Network Administration: A Guide

What outsourced server and network administration covers, when it makes sense, how remote sysadmins work with your team, and what to ask a provider before signing.

Servers need patching, firewalls need rules updated, backups need checking and somebody has to plan for next year's capacity. In many small and mid-sized companies, that work falls on one or two overstretched people. Outsourced server and network administration gives you certified administrators without adding headcount.

What is included?

Monitoring of servers, storage and network devices.
Patching and hardening on a regular schedule.
User, group and permission management.
Backup management and restore testing.
Firewall, VPN and wireless configuration.
Change management with documented approvals.
Capacity planning and lifecycle recommendations.
Up-to-date documentation and network diagrams.

Administrator patching and hardening servers

When outsourcing makes sense

Your sysadmin is also your helpdesk, security lead and project manager.
Patching happens when someone remembers, not on a schedule.
Nobody has tested a backup restore recently.
Knowledge lives in one person's head, with no documentation.
You need coverage outside business hours.

How remote administrators work with your team

Administrators connect through secure, logged management tools using accounts you control. Changes follow your approval process. Hands-on tasks, such as swapping a failed disk, are done by a local technician or vendor while the administrator directs the work. You receive regular reports on patch status, incidents and recommendations.

Outsourced service or a dedicated administrator?

You can buy administration as a managed service, priced per device, or add a dedicated administrator to your team through staff augmentation. A managed service suits stable environments. A dedicated person suits companies with frequent changes and projects. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median wage for network and computer systems administrators at $99,130, before benefits and on-call costs.

What to ask a provider

Which operating systems, hypervisors and network vendors do you support?
How do you schedule and report on patching?
How is administrative access controlled and logged?
How quickly do you respond to critical incidents?
Will you document our environment as part of onboarding?

Pair administration with 24/7 NOC monitoring so issues are caught overnight. See our outsourced server management and network administration service for scope and onboarding, or our NOC monitoring services for alert handling.

Get certified admins without adding headcount

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