Database administrator
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Database Administrator , Database Analyst |
| Occupation type | Profession |
| 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 Related Field Like : Information systems , Information Technology ,Computer Science , Management Information system |
A Database Administrator (acronym: DBA) is an IT Professional responsible for :
- Installation
- Configuration
- Upgrade
- Administration
- Monitoring
- Maintenance
- Securing
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
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
- General understanding of storage technologies, memory management, disk arrays, NAS/SAN, networking
- General understanding of routine maintenance, recovery, and handling failover of a Database
Education
Some employers require a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology or related field to perform job duties as a Database Administrator. In general, DBA's work with commercial databases such as SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB and many others.
Certification
Employing organizations may require that a database administrator have a certification for the particular RDBMS being used.[2]
Examples
- Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional[6]
- MCSA SQL Server 2012.[7]
Duties
A database administrator's responsibilities can include the following tasks:[8]
- 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 verbally
- 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
DBAs are also known 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 have a hierarchical system of database administrators, generally:[9]
- Junior DBAs
- Mid-level DBAs
- Senior DBAs
- DBA consultants
- Manager/Director of Database Administration/Information Technology
References
- ↑ "Database Administration". SFIAPlus. British Computer Society. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "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
- ↑ "Oracle Certification Program". Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
- ↑ "Microsoft SQL Server Certification". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ↑ "Oracle DBA Responsibilities". Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
- ↑ "Database Administrator Job Description". Retrieved 2012-11-14.
External links
- The US Department of Labor's description of "Database Administrators"
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