What should a server technician inspect FIRST to determine the cause of unexpected server reboots?

In the scenario of unexpected server reboots, the most effective first step for a server technician is to check system event logs. These logs provide detailed information regarding the server's operations and any critical events that occurred prior to the reboot. They can capture a range of issues leading to reboots, such as hardware failures, system errors, or unexpected shutdowns.

While checking update settings can reveal whether recent updates might have caused instability, it is essential to first examine the system event logs to confirm the exact nature of the reboots. Maintenance settings and security event logs, while potentially useful in other contexts, do not directly provide insight into the technical reasons behind unexpected server behavior in the same way that system event logs do. By prioritizing the system event logs, a technician can diagnose the problem based on the logged events surrounding the time of the reboot and take appropriate action.