Database Administration: A technical function that is responsible for physical database design and for dealing with technical

issues such as security enforcement, database performance, and backup and recovery. Types of Database Administration 1. Systems DBA Administrators here focus on the physical and focuses on technical rather than business issues, primarily in the system administration area. They manage aspects of database administration such as DBMS installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, backups, restores, refreshes, performance optimization, maintenance and disaster recovery. It is also called Physical DBAs, Operations DBAs or Production Support DBAs 2. Development DBA This kind of administration focuses on the logical and development aspects of database such as data model design and maintenance, data definition language (DDL) generation, SQL writing and tuning, coding stored procedures, collaborating with developers to help choose the most appropriate DBMS functionality and other pre-production activities. 3. Application DBA Here, the administrator manages all the application components that interact with the database and carry out activities such as application installation and patching, application upgrades, database cloning, building and running data cleanup routines, data load process management. These application components are usually used by organizations that use third party applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems e.g. Oracle Applications and SAP. 4. Task-Orientated DBA These is a specialized DBA that focuses on a specific DBA task e.g. a backup-and-recovery to ensure the recoverability of the organizations databases. Nature of Database Administration This defines the level of automation and the kind of skills and labor required to carry out the task of database administration, e.g. a system with minimal automation will require significant experienced resources to manage the database while a significant amount of automation reduces the amount of work that could be done manually therefore reducing the skills required to perform tasks. Generally, the higher the level of automation, the higher the level of skilled personnel/administrators required to carry out the tasks. Database Administration Tools These are tools that help Database administrators to manage the Database Management System. Some database administration software exists to manage the provisioning of new databases and the management of existing databases and their related resources.

Examples of database administration tools that are supplied with the DBMS include; SQL Server Enterprise Manager for Microsoft SQL Server Oracle Enterprise Manager/Grid Control for Oracle. However, third party management tools such as Quest Software, Embarcadero Technologies, EMS Database Management Solutions and SQL Maestro Group offer GUI tools to monitor the DBMS and help DBAs carry out certain functions inside the database more easily. The Impact of IT automation on Database Administration The major aim of IT automation in firms and businesses is to enable DBAs to focus on more proactive activities around database architecture, deployment, performance and service level management. It does this by reducing the amount of routine, repetitive activities. It does not, however, eliminate the need for Database administrators. Duties of a Database Administrator A database administrator is a person responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and repair of an organization's database system. Some of the duties and responsibilities of a DBA include being both a designer analyst and a manager. They include: Development and design of database strategies Monitoring and improving database performance and capacity Planning for future expansion requirements Plan, co-ordinate and implement security measures to safeguard the database

Typical work activities include: Installation, configuration and upgrading of Database server software and related products. Evaluating Database features and Database related products. Establishing and maintaining sound backup and recovery policies and procedures. Implement and maintain database security (create and maintain users and roles, assign privileges). Application tuning and performance monitoring. Setup and maintain documentation and standards. Capacity planning i.e. planning for growth, expansion and changes. General technical troubleshooting and give consultancy Reference:
1. Database Administration: Practices & Procedures - Craig S. Mullins (Pearlson Education 2002) 2. Database Concepts Mark Llewellyn 3. Web Resources: Wikipedia, Webopedia, Wikimedia, Oracle DBA

MORAA/GONDI/SURTAN

Page2