After a reboot, the server cannot find the boot loader. What should the administrator check first?

When a server is unable to locate the boot loader after a reboot, the most logical first step for the administrator is to check the BIOS boot sequence. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for initializing hardware during the boot process and determining the order of devices to check for bootable media. If the boot sequence is not configured correctly, the server might not look for the operating system on the appropriate hard drive or SSD, leading to the failure to find the boot loader.

By verifying and possibly adjusting the BIOS boot order, the administrator can ensure that the server checks the correct device first. This action is critical, especially if there have been changes to the system, such as adding or removing storage drives, which can inadvertently alter the expected boot order. Proper configuration of the boot sequence is crucial for a successful startup, making this the logical first step in troubleshooting the issue.