I'm currently working on a server cleanup project and I've come across a server that was used by a vendor who is no longer associated with us. Despite trying to reach out to them for a week, I've had no luck getting a response. I turned off the server yesterday, and I'm now wondering how long I should leave it powered off before I can safely decommission it.
3 Answers
I totally agree on the 3 months, but I'd even stretch it to 6 if you're feeling cautious. After that, you could label it and keep it in storage for up to a year just in case something pops up. I've seen situations where old servers were pulled up after quite a while because someone needed something from them, so better safe than sorry!
In my experience, I would recommend keeping it off for at least 90 days. Some users only need access to servers for quarterly tasks, so you don't want to rush into decommissioning it. Giving it about 3 months should ensure no one is dependent on it.
That's a solid plan! Plus, if you do give it the full 90 days, you minimize the risk of cutting off access to anyone who might need something.
Honestly, I would check if it's running anything critical; sometimes, older systems could get called back for surprising tasks. Leave it powered off for about 2 to 3 months unless you find out it was crucial to some quarterly processes. Also, make sure it’s backed up before you forget about it!
Exactly! It's always better to err on the side of caution. Plus, having a backup makes it easier to just archive it and be done with it.