Managed Server

Owned by John Wrynn, created
Last updated: Apr 06, 2023
2 min read

ITS offers a Virtual Machine (VM), known as the managed server, for faculty and staff. Managed servers run on ITS supported hardware and are available in Microsoft Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) platforms. ITS will assist with the installation, configuration, maintenance, and management of the service.

To request a managed server, submit the Managed Server request form.

Physical servers are not supported as part of this service.

Below are more details about what ITS provides for this service.

Operating System (OS) 

  • Core OS Server - ITS will install and maintain a current version of Windows Server or RHEL.

  • Patch management for operating systems - ITS will automatically apply updates, including the latest security fixes, patches, and system vulnerability resolutions. 

 Security 

  • Firewall - ITS will create firewall objects and policies required for your service.

  • Vulnerability and malware - ITS will perform weekly Nessus scans and uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for automated threat protection.

  • Root password – ITS will configure and maintain a system level admin access password for the system.

  • Two-Factor Authentication – ITS will configure and maintain two-factor authentication for remote login with Duo. 

It is the application administrator's responsibility to provide documentation regarding the firewall policies required for their service.

Software 

  • Standard Repositories - ITS will support automatic updates and patches for applications supported by Patch My PC and installed via Software Center on Windows and the default repository supplied by Red Hat and installed via Red Hat Satellite on RHEL. 

  • 3rd Party Repositories – ITS recommends only installing software packages from Red Hat delivered repositories to avoid risks such as conflicts with other software dependencies or security vulnerabilities. While ITS may assist with issues related to unverified third-party repositories, they cannot guarantee a resolution.

  • Database - ITS will install and manage updates for MSSQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL. 

  • Web services - ITS will install and manage updates for IIS, Apache, Tomcat, and SSL certificates.

  • DNS – ITS will create and manage aliases as required. 

MSSQL Express Edition is not supported.

General 

  • Backup and recovery - ITS will perform daily backups and assist in recovery efforts. Backup retention is 30 days. 

  • Active Directory - ITS will create or modify AD computer objects, groups, and OUs as requested.

  • Monitoring – ITS uses Zabbix for server and performance monitoring. ITS will provide access to the Zabbix portal. 

ITS can assist with the migrations of server assets, Active Directory objects, and file services from local to ITS supported variants. It is the service owner’s obligation to perform any system administration outside of these supported services as well as comply with the policies and standards published on the website for the ITS Security Office: https://security.uconn.edu