Windows Server
Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022, and new builds on Windows Server 2025: server installation, patching, file and print, DNS and DHCP, and Hyper-V server configuration. Older versions move through Windows Server upgrades.
Managed IT infrastructure services for your servers and networks
IT infrastructure services keep the servers, storage, networks and directory an organisation runs on secure, patched and available. Arke Technologies designs, installs and manages on-premises, hybrid and cloud IT infrastructure for organisations across South Africa from Johannesburg, with monitoring every 15 minutes, change control and monthly reporting under one SLA.
What IT infrastructure means
The meaning of IT infrastructure is broad: the hardware, software, networks and facilities every application and user depends on. We manage it as five layers:
- Compute: servers, the Windows Server operating system (OS) or Linux on them, and the Hyper-V, VMware or Proxmox hosts that run virtual servers.
- Storage and backup: the disks, arrays and backup copies your data lives on.
- Network: switches, routers, firewalls, Wi-Fi and the links between sites.
- Identity: Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID, which decide who may reach what.
- Facilities: the server room rack, power, UPS, cooling and cabling.
Public-sector tenders often call it ICT infrastructure and ask for ICT infrastructure solutions, or IT infrastructure solutions and services; engineers shorten it to IT infra. Whatever the name, managing IT infrastructure means keeping every layer secure, patched, backed up and documented. It is part of our managed IT services, with the physical network covered under network infrastructure.
What our IT infrastructure services cover
Active Directory and Entra ID
Active Directory support, Group Policy and hybrid identity with Microsoft Entra ID, formerly Azure Active Directory, behind Microsoft 365 sign-in.
Linux server support
Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, Debian and CentOS servers, Apache and Nginx, and HestiaCP and cPanel.
SQL Server support
Patching, maintenance plans, backups, restore tests and performance checks for Microsoft SQL Server.
Virtualisation
VMware, Hyper-V and Proxmox hosts run as one estate; see private cloud and virtualisation.
Network infrastructure management
Switches, firewalls, VPNs and Wi-Fi configured, monitored and documented under the same change control as the servers.
Backup and requests
Backups monitored and restores tested (backup and disaster recovery); everyday requests, such as a Windows FTP server setup, tracked as tickets, with SFTP or FTPS recommended because plain FTP sends passwords unencrypted.
Server support for Dell, HPE and Lenovo hardware
Enterprise servers carry a management controller: iDRAC on Dell, iLO on HPE and older HP-branded ProLiant models, and the XClarity Controller on Lenovo. With the right licence tier it gives us a remote console and virtual media, so a server in another city can be diagnosed and reinstalled without a site visit. We use the manufacturers' configuration tools and management software, and the common Redfish interface, to keep settings consistent across a mixed fleet (iDRAC vs iLO vs XClarity Controller (opens serverhub.co.za)).
Servers bought through Server Hub carry our local warranty: 12 months on new and certified refurbished units and 90 days on pre-owned, in addition to Consumer Protection Act rights. For other Dell, HPE, HP or Lenovo servers we raise and follow the manufacturer's warranty case, so nobody hunts for a Dell or Lenovo server support number during an outage. On new servers we specify a mirrored boot device, TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot (server boot and security (opens serverhub.co.za)).
Active Directory: support, testing and disaster recovery
Active Directory holds the keys to everything else, so it gets its own discipline.
- Hygiene. Stale accounts, excess administrator rights and old Group Policy reviewed regularly, with privileged accounts kept apart from everyday ones.
- Testing. An Active Directory vulnerability assessment maps weak settings and attack paths; a penetration test, or pentest, then proves what an attacker could do with one compromised account. Active Directory pentesting uses the toolkits attackers use, many bundled in Kali Linux. We scope, perform and retest Active Directory penetration testing and help remediate the findings (penetration testing).
- Disaster recovery. Active Directory disaster recovery best practices, applied: two or more domain controllers, system-state backups held offline, the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password vaulted, the Active Directory Recycle Bin on, and forest recovery rehearsed.
- Licensing. Active Directory Domain Services is a Windows Server role with no separate licence cost: you license the server's cores and a Windows Server CAL per user or device. Microsoft Entra ID has a free tier, with P1 and P2 plans included in some Microsoft 365 plans or sold separately.
Resilient servers and networks start in the server room
Server rooms fail in predictable ways: heat, dust, power and unlabelled cabling. We build and maintain them to controls aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, whose physical controls cover secure areas, equipment siting, supporting utilities such as power and cooling, cabling security and maintenance; that is as close as ISO 27001 comes to server room standards (ISO 27001 readiness).
We match the UPS to the supply: line-interactive for a stable municipal feed, online double-conversion where the feed is dirty or generator-backed, with a network management card so a long outage triggers an orderly shutdown. A UPS bridges minutes, not a load-shedding slot; that takes extended batteries or a generator (sizing a UPS for load-shedding (opens serverhub.co.za)). Every server room rack is labelled and documented, and temperatures are watched through the servers' own sensors, because heat shortens hardware life (why heat matters (opens serverhub.co.za)).
Governance and reporting
- P1 to P4 priorities. Incidents are prioritised from P1, a critical outage, to P4, a low-impact request, with response and resolution targets matched to the impact of downtime, and escalation paths, agreed in your SLA.
- A monthly service review and report covering incidents, changes, patch compliance, backups, capacity and open risks.
- ITIL-aligned practice for incident, request, problem and change management, the core of IT infrastructure and service management (ITIL explained).
- Compliance evidence: POPIA security safeguards, King IV Principle 12 reporting, audit-ready documentation under the PFMA and MFMA, and controls aligned with ISO/IEC 27001 and CIS Controls.
Choosing among IT infrastructure companies
Most IT infrastructure companies and network infrastructure companies say they monitor and patch. When you compare a managed server provider, or issue an RFP for IT infrastructure services, ask each bidder for the monitoring interval, how incidents are prioritised and reported, a sample monthly report and runbook, and who holds the administrator credentials at exit. Any ICT infrastructure company you appoint should answer in writing, as our proposals do.
For your supplier file: we are a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor (sworn affidavit available on request), which gives buyers 135% procurement recognition; company documents, a bank confirmation letter, our CSD supplier number and SARS tax compliance status are available on request, and we complete SBD forms when a bid requires them (procurement and compliance).
Continuity: documented, and yours
Every server, network device and directory setting we manage is documented. The runbooks, diagrams and administrator credentials are yours. Everyone with access is bound by confidentiality and our security controls, every remote session is approved and logged, and our access ends at exit; if you grow, bring the work in-house or change provider, the documentation goes with you. To share the work with your own team, see co-managed IT.