What Is The Role Of The Database Administrator?

The database administrator performs a critical role within an organization and is an important and key role in Database Management Systems. The major responsibility of a database administrator is to handle the process of developing the database and maintaining the database of an organization. The database administrator is responsible for defining the internal layout of the database and ensuring the internal layout optimizes system performance.

The database administrator has full access over all type of important data of an organization. The database administrator decides what data will be stored in the database and how to organize data in database so that it can be access easily on requirement or need of an organization. To design the database of an organization, the database administrator must have a meeting with users and determine their requirements.  

The database administrator is also responsible for preparing documentation, including recording the procedures, standards, guidelines, and data descriptions necessary for the efficient and continuing use of the database environment. Documents should include materials to help end users, database application programmers, the operation staff, and all personnel connected with the database management system.

The database administrator is responsible for monitoring the database environment, such as seeing that the database is meeting performance standards, making sure the accuracy, integrity, and security of data are maintained.

The database administrator is also responsible to manage any enhancements into the database environment.

The database administrator DBA Is responsible for the design, operation, and management of the database. He or she must be technically competent, a good manager, a skilled diplomat and posses excellent communication skills. Management skills are required to plan, coordinate and carry out a multitude of tasks during all phases of the database project and to supervise a staff .Technical skills are needed because the DBA has to be able to understand the complex hardware and software issues involved and to work with system and application experts in solving problems.

Diplomatic skills are used to communicate to users and determine their needs to negotiate agreements on data definitions and database access rights to secure agreements on changes to the database structure or operations that affect users and to mediate between users with conflicting requirements. Excellent communication skills are required for all these activities. All kind of good communication skills, diplomatic skills are needed to communicate with customers because sometimes customer are not capable of telling their requirements accurately so DBA has to communicate with them in such a way that they can tell exactly what they need.

Database Administrator is that person who has complete control on database or you can also say that who has complete freedom on database. It is his responsibility to install and update necessary software used for database as oracle server and other application tools. He has to create accounts for database users. He has to monitor the activities of the users related to database. It is his duty to enforce rules to make database secure. He have to specify account restrictions. Two types of users exist. On type of users can access only read only files from database.

Other type of users can read the data as well as they can modify the data. So it is the responsibility of DBA to give complete access to those users who want to modify the data and restrict those users who can only read data. If an error occurs in database then DBA has to recover it. He has to manage primary objects and table-spaces. He has to perform those steps which help not only controlling the security of database but also maintaining it. If new patch or tools of installed DBMS releases then updated patch and tools must also be installed in database and it is the role of DBA to install these.

A database administrator is the name given to a person who is actually handling the environmental aspects of a database. The main functions of a database administrator are as follows:

- Installation of new software.
- Configuration of hardware and software.
- Security administration.
- Data analysis.
- Database design .
- Data modeling and optimization .
- Proactively monitor systems.
- Establish standards and best practices.
- Interact and train new developers.

The DBA has many functions that vary according to the stage of the database project. Since there are so many tasks to be performed, especially during the design and creation phases, the DBA must be able to delegate some of these responsibilities. Major functions include the following: Preliminary database planning. If the DBA is chosen early enough in the project, he or she should participate in the preliminary investigate and feasibility study.

Identifying user requirements examines all reports generated by the present system and consults with users to determine whether the reports satisfy their information needs. He or she may work with present and potential users to design new reports they would like the proposed system to produce. Developing and maintaining the data dictionary: As he or she determines the data needs of users, the DBA stores data item names, sources, meanings, usage, and synonyms in the data dictionary. Designing the logical model: The DBA identifies all entities, attributes and relationships that are to be represented in the database and develops a logical model that is an accurate reflection of the operations of the organization in the real world.