A systems administrator is tasked with decommissioning a legacy file server. The administrator has already followed company policy to verify non-utilization by monitoring network traffic and confirming with application owners that the server is no longer accessed. According to best practices, what is the MOST appropriate next step for the administrator to take?
Physically disconnect the server's network and power cables.
Terminate any vendor maintenance contracts associated with the server hardware.
Submit a change management request for the decommissioning.
Update the asset management database to mark the server as 'decommissioned'.
The correct next step after verifying a server is no longer in use is to submit a formal request through the change management process. This ensures that the decommissioning is formally documented, approved by all stakeholders, and scheduled, which prevents unauthorized changes and service disruptions. Updating the asset management database occurs as part of or after the decommissioning is complete, not before formal approval. Physically disconnecting the server is a later action performed after receiving approval from the change management process. Terminating vendor maintenance contracts is also a step that follows the formal decision and approval to decommission the server.