Server Maintenance Checklist & Best Practices

Overview

This checklist should be performed regularly to ensure the server remains healthy, stable, and available for device operations and backend services

Prerequisites

Before performing maintenance, ensure the following:

• You have terminal access with sufficient permissions.

• Access to the TestGrid Portal is available.

• The server is powered on.

Steps

Step 1: Verify Internet Connectivity

Ensure the server has an active and stable internet connection.

• Open a web browser and verify that websites are loading correctly.
• Alternatively, run the following command in Terminal:

ping google.com

Verify

• Successful responses are received without significant packet loss.

• Internet connectivity is stable.

Step 2: Verify Backend Services

Backend services are required for proper server operation and device communication.

1. Open Terminal.

Caption: Open Terminal on the server

2. Run the following command:

brew services

3. Confirm that the following services are in the started state:

• httpd

• mariadb@10.5 (For Primary Only)

• php@8.1

• nginx

Example:

Name              Status      User
httpd             started     testgrid mariadb@10.5      started     testgrid php@8.1           started     testgrid nginx             started     testgrid

Step 3: If Any Service Is Not Running

Restart the affected service using:

brew services stop <service_name> brew services start <service_name>

Examples

Restart Httpd

brew services stop httpd brew services start httpd

Restart Mariadb (For Primary Only)

brew services stop mariadb@10.5brew services start mariadb@10.5

Restart PHP

brew services stop php@8.1 brew services start php@8.1

Restart Nginx

brew services stop nginx brew services start 

After restarting, run the following command again:

brew services

Confirm that all required services are in the started state.

Step 4: Check Available Disk Space

Insufficient disk space can impact server performance and device operations.

1. Run the following command:

df -h

Verify

• Adequate free disk space is available.

• Disk usage is within acceptable limits.

• Maintain at least 15–20% free disk space on the server.

Step 5: Monitor System Health

Use Activity Monitor to review overall system performance.

1. Open Activity Monitor.

Caption: Open Activity Monitor

2. Review the following:

• CPU Usage

• Memory Usage

• Disk Activity

• Network Activity

Verify

• No process is consuming excessive resources.

• System performance remains stable.

Step 6: Verify Device Connectivity Through TestGrid Portal

Ensure connected devices are accessible and functioning properly.

1. Open the TestGrid Portal.

Caption: Navigate to the TestGrid Real Device Cloud.

2. Verify the connected devices.

Caption: Verify device connectivity status

Verify

• Devices are connected successfully.

• No devices are showing offline or disconnected status unexpectedly.

Maintenance Completion Checklist

Before concluding maintenance, verify the following:

• Internet connection is working.

• All backend services are running.

• Auto-cleanup scripts are functioning.

• Disk space is sufficient.

• Unnecessary cache and logs have been reviewed/cleaned.

• System health is normal.

• Devices are online and accessible through the TestGrid Portal.

Following this routine regularly helps maintain server stability, improve performance, and minimize unexpected downtime.

Outcome

After completing the maintenance checklist:

• Server services should remain stable and operational.

• Devices should remain connected and accessible.

• System performance and server health should remain stable.
  
  

Still have a question?

Support Contact: support@testgrid.io