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THE ROLE OF A DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

● Database Administrators (DBAs) perform a

number of crucial tasks

● Primary role is to protect files from loss or

corruption

● Also to make data easily ACCESSIBLE when

required

● Performs TEN other key roles…

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1. SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION

● The system administrator sets up hardware

and deploys the operating system for the

database server

● The DBA then installs database software and

configures it for use

● Also handles data transfer to new platforms

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2. DATA EXTRACTION, TRANSFORMATION AND LOADING

● Extraction, Transformation and

Loading (ETL) is the importing of data

from multiple systems into a central

database warehouse.

● The data is scanned, cleaned up and

transformed to fit a desired format to

be imported into a central repository.

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3. SPECIALISED DATA HANDLING

● Database Administrators provide expertise in

handling and sorting large quantities of data

● This is often better in the hands of highly-

skilled practitioners to provide additional and

closer monitoring, and extra efficiency

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4. BACKUP AND RECOVERY

● Database Administrators backup all data and

produce plans of recovery that best suit industry

techniques

● They then oversee the implementation of this

plan should anything happen to the data

● Backups can be used to restore and recover data

that has been lost through server failure but

different errors may need different recovery

strategies so DBAs must be flexible to many

scenarios and outcomes

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5. SECURITY

● A Database Administrator can work to reduce

the risks posed to the security of a system if

they recognise the initial weaknesses of the

database software.

● No system is 100% immune from attacks but a

deep knowledge of industry best practices can

minimise risks and increase the speed at which

threats are diverted.

● DBAs can use AUDIT TRAILS to follow data

activity.

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6. AUTHENTICATION

DBAs can set us access gates to the

data to control who can see, use and

make changes to it.

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7. CAPACITY PLANNING

● If the Database Administrator knows how

large a database is and how fast it is growing

they can make accurate predictions about the

future.

● A new and fast-growing company will need

rapid increase of data capacity which often

requires the services of a DBA to create this.

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8. PERFORMANCE MONITORING

● A Database Administrator monitors

performance issues in order to optimise

efficiency of systems.

● By closely monitoring this, DBAs can

make changes and improvements as they

see necessary.

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9. SYSTEM TUNING

If performance is being monitored

closely, it is possible to make

changes based on application and

usage rather than waiting for a

problem to arise.

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10. TROUBLESHOOTING

● Database Administrators must be on call

at all times for when a problem does

arise.

● In a lot of instances lost data must be

recovered very soon after a fault is

discovered, so DBAs must be alert to

dangers.

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DSP GLOBAL

To learn more about our team

of amazing DBAs, call us

today on 08701 999377 or

contact us online here.

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