Welcome to the MiServer Managed Service. Here are some important steps designed to assist you with connecting and configuring your access to your virtual server.
Join MCommunity Group
To ensure that you are aware of all system maintenance issues, service issues, and announcements, please join the MiServer Notify MCommunity group. To join this group, go to the MiServer Notify directory site, Log In, and click Join Group.
Log Into Your Managed Server
You can logon with a Windows Uniqname account that is a member of the MCommunity admin group for your server with the Remote Desktop Connection client available on Windows desktops and servers (free clients are also available for Mac from Microsoft).
Two-Factor Authentication
By default, new Managed Windows servers are configured to use Duo two-factor authentication for Remote Desktop connections. Before loging in you will need to make sure you have registered your account(s) in Duo.
Enroll your account in Duo:
Enroll a uniqname account in Duo
Enroll a non-uniqname account in Duo
Remote Desktop Connection
- Launch the Remote Desktop Connection client application and open a new connection.
- In the Computer field, type the server name.
- At the Windows Security prompt, click Use another account.
- Enter your uniqname as UMROOT\uniqname and enter your UMICH password.
- Click OK.
Best Practices for Windows Server Administration
A security best-practice is to use accounts other than your regular user account for management tasks that require server administrator privileges. Instructions for creating a separate account for server administration can be found in the Managed Windows OU and Server Local Admins guide.
Schedule Downtime
The MiServer service monitors alerts for your managed servers 24/7 or during business hours, depending on the type of support you selected. Because of the shared administration model, you can reboot or shut down your server, but you must notify the service by scheduling downtime in the Nagios monitoring system so that it does not generate an alert to MiServer service personnel.
To Schedule Downtime
Open the Schedule Downtime document icon located on your server's desktop and review the procedure. This document provides a quick overview and a link to manage alerts during maintenance.