Database administrator
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Database administrator, database analyst |
|
Activity sectors
|
Information technology, information systems |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Databases design and implementation, programming skills, database theory, networking basics, analytical skills, critical thinking |
|
Education required
|
At least bachelor degree in a related field like information systems, information technology, computer science, management information system |
A database administrator (DBA) is an IT professional responsible for the installation, configuration, upgrading, administration, monitoring, maintenance, and security of databases in an organization.[1]
The role includes the development and design of database strategies, system monitoring and improving database performance and capacity, and planning for future expansion requirements. They may also plan, co-ordinate and implement security measures to safeguard the database.[2]
Skills[edit]
List of skills required to become database administrators are:[3][4][5]
- Communication skills
- Knowledge of database theory
- Knowledge of database design
- Knowledge about the RDBMS itself, e.g. Oracle Database, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, Adaptive Server Enterprise, MaxDB, PostgreSQL
- Knowledge of structured query language (SQL), e.g. SQL/PSM, Transact-SQL
- General understanding of distributed computing architectures, e.g. Client/Server, Internet/Intranet, Enterprise
- General understanding of the underlying operating system, e.g. Windows, Unix, Linux, z/OS
- General understanding of storage technologies, memory management, disk arrays, NAS/SAN, networking
- General understanding of routine maintenance, recovery, and handling failover of a Database
Some employers require a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, information technology, engineering or related field to perform job duties as a database administrator.
Certification[edit]
Employing organizations may require that a database administrator have a certification for the particular RDBMS being used.[2]
For example:
- IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator - DB2 10.1 for Linux, Unix and Windows[6]
- IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 10.1 for Linux, Unix, and Windows[7]
- Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional[8]
- MCSA SQL Server 2012[9]
Duties[edit]
A database administrator's responsibilities can include the following tasks:[10]
- Installing and upgrading the database server and application tools
- Allocating system storage and planning future storage requirements for the database system
- Modifying the database structure, as necessary, from information given by application developers
- Enrolling users and maintaining system security
- Ensuring compliance with database vendor license agreement
- Controlling and monitoring user access to the database
- Monitoring and optimizing the performance of the database
- Planning for backup and recovery of database information
- Maintaining archived data
- Backing up and restoring databases
- Contacting database vendor for technical support
- Generating various reports by querying from database as per need
Job titles[edit]
DBAs are also known[by whom?] by the titles database coordinator or database programmer, although a database programmer requires more advanced skills in SQL programming than a DBA may have, and database programmers may not have and do not require the skills of database administration, backing up, restoring, monitoring or tuning to do their job well.[2]
The role integrates closely with the other jobs of database analyst, database modeller, programmer analyst, and systems manager.[2]
Some organizations[clarification needed] have a hierarchical system of database administrators, generally:[11]
- Junior DBAs
- Mid-level DBAs
- Senior DBAs
- DBA consultants
- Manager or director of database administration/information technology
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Database Administration". SFIAPlus. British Computer Society. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ^ a b c d "Database Administrator". ICT Careers Portal. Australian Computer Society. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ^ Spenik, Mark; Sledge, Orryn (2001-03-20). "What is a Database Administrator? (DBA)". Developer.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ^ http://www.dba-oracle.com/oracle_tips_dba_job_skills.htm
- ^ http://www.orafaq.com/wiki/Roles_and_Responsibilities
- ^ "IBM Professional Certification Program". ibm.com. IBM. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ^ "IBM Professional Certification Program". ibm.com. IBM. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ^ "Oracle Certification Program". oracle.com. Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
- ^ "Microsoft SQL Server Certification". microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ^ "Oracle DBA Responsibilities". Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ^ "Database Administrator Job Description". Retrieved 2012-11-14.
External links[edit]
- The US Department of Labor's description of "Database Administrators"
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