IST 210

Database Administration

Todd S. Bacastow
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Evolution of the DBA
 Data Processing Department
 Information Systems Department
 Service Function to provide end users active data management
support
 Production Function to provide solutions to information needs
(application development)
 DBA – Database Administration
 Size and Role varies from company to company
 DBA’s function is very dynamic
 Distributed Databases
 Internet Databases
 Object Oriented databases
 Sophistication and Power of the DBMS packages
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Common Functions of DBA
 Database Planning
 Standards, procedures, enforcement
 Requirements Gathering and Conceptual
Design
 Logical Design
 Physical Design and Implementation
 Testing and Debugging
 Operations and Maintenance
 Training and Support
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DBA’s Managerial Role
 Control and Planning Dimensions of
Database Administration
 Coordinating, Monitoring, and Allocating
database administration resources
 People
 Data
 Defining Goals and Formulating Strategic
Plans for the Database Administration
function
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DBA’s Responsibilities
DBA Activity DBA Service

Planning End-User Support

Organizing Policies, Procedures, Standards

Testing Data Security, Privacy,

Integrity
Monitoring Data backup and Recovery

Delivering Data Distribution and Use

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End-User Support
 User Requirements Gathering
 Understanding of the users’ views and needs
 Present and Future information needs
 Conflict and Problem Resolution
 Solutions in one department may cause problems in
another
 Finding Solutions to Information Needs
 Ensure Quality and Integrity of Applications and
Data
 Build End-User Confidence
 Manage the Training and Support of DBMS users
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Policies, Procedures, and Standards
 Policies: General Statements of Direction or action
that communicate and support DBA goals
 Procedures: Written Instructions that describe a
services of steps to be followed during the
performance of a given activity
 Standards: More detailed and specific than
policies, and describe the minimum requirements
of a DBA activity
 Rules that are used to evaluate the qualityof the activity
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Areas of Policies and Procedures
 End-User database requirements gathering
 Database design and modeling
 Documentation and Naming conventions
 Design, coding, and testing of applications
 Database software selection
 Database security and integrity
 Database backup and recovery
 Database maintenance and operation
 End-user training
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Data Security, Privacy and Integrity
 User Access Management
 Define each user to the database
 Operating System Level
 Database Level
 Assign Passwords
 Define User Groups
 Assign Access Privileges
 Read
 Write
 Delete
 Physical Access Control
 View Definitions
 Protect and Control the Scope of the Data that is accessible to a user
 DBMS utilities access control
 Limit the use of query and reporting tools
 DBMS usage Monitoring
 Audit Logs

(More difficult in distributed databases)

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Data Backup and Recovery
 Disaster Management
 Periodic Data and Application Backups
 Full
 Incremental
 Concurrent
 Proper Backup Identification
 Convenient and safe backup storage
 Physical protection of hardware and software
 Personal Access Control to the software of a
database installation
 Insurance coverage for the data in the database
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Data Backup and Recovery
 Recovery and Contingency plans
 Tested
 Evaluated
 Practiced
 Will Not Recover all components of an
IS
 Establish priorities for the nature and
extend of the data recovery process
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Data Distribution and Use
 Data is only useful when:
 Given to the Right User
 Right Time
 Right Format
 Programmers Deliver programs to access data
 Time consuming for DBA
 Data Distribution allows end users to access the database
 Internet
 Intranets
 Queries, Web Front Ends
 End Users may make improper use of database, data duplication,
etc.
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DBA’s Technical Role
 DBMS and utilities, evaluation, selection and
installation
 Design and implementation of Database
 Testing and Evaluation
 Operation of DBMS, Utilities, and Applications
 Training and Supporting Users
 Maintenance of DBMS, Utilities, and
Applicaitons
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Evaluation, Selection, and Installation
 Selection of Hardware and Software
 Must be based on the Organization’s
Needs
 Search is for a solutions to a problem,
not a need for a software
 1st step is to determine companies
NEEDS
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DBMS Checklist
 DBMS Model
 Storage Capacity
 Application Development Support
 Security and Integrity
 Backup and Recovery
 Concurrency Control
 Performance
 DBA tools
 Interoperability and Data Distribution
 Portability
 Hardware
 Data Dictionary
 Vendor Training and Support
 Third Party Tools
 Cost
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Design and Implementation
 Determination and Enforcement of Standards
and Procedures
 Ensure the Design activities are performed within
the Standards and Procedures
 Ensure Transactions are:
 Correct
 Efficient
 Compliant with Integrity and Standards
 Physical Design
 Operational Procedures
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Testing and Evaluation
 All Database and End User Applications
 Maintained Independently of Development
and Implementation
 Cover:
 Technical Aspects
 Backup, Recovery, Security, Integrity, SQL
 Evaluation of Documentation
 Observance of Standards
 Naming, Documentation, Coding
 Data Duplication Conflicts with existing data
 Enforcement of Data Validation rules
 Operation of DBMS, Utilities, and
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Applications
 System Support
 Day-to-day activity of the DBMS
 Performance monitoring and tuning
 Performance Goals
 Evaluate if performance objectives are being met
 Isolate Problems and Find solutions
 Implement solutions
 Backup and Recovery
 Security auditing and monitoring
 Appropriate access rights
 Proper use of access privileges by programmers and end users
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Training and Supporting Users
 Technical Training in the use of DBMS
and Utilities for Applications
Programmers
 Unscheduled on-demand technical
support
 Interaction with DBMS vendors
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Maintenance of DBMS
 Dedicated to the Preservation of the DBMS
environment
 Management of the Physical or Secondary
Storage devices
 Reorganizing the physical location of the data
 Upgrading the DBMS and Utility Software
 Exchange of data is dissimilar formats or
between database
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Database Administration Tools
 Data Dictionary
 Store the Description of all objects that interact
with the database
 Integrated  Include data outside of DBMS
 Standalone  limited to data of DBMS
 Case Tools
 Computer Aided Software Engineering
 Automated Framework for the SDLC
 Front-End Tools
 Planning, Analysis, Design
 Back-End Tools
 Coding and Implementation
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Data Dictionary
 Data Elements from all tables of all databases
 Names, Types, Format, Validation rules, When an
Element is Used and by whom
 Tables defined in the database
 Indexes defined for each table
 Defined databases, and properties
 End Users and Administrators
 Programs that access the database
 Access Authorizations for all users
 Relationships among data elements
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Case Tools
 Reduction in development time and costs
 Standardization of Systems Development
Methodologies
 Easier Maintenance of Application Systems Developed
with CASE Tools
 Components:
 Graphics
 Screen Painters and Report Generators
 Repository for Storing and Cross-Referencing the System
Design Data (Data Dictionary)
 Analysis Segment for Automated Check on System
Consistency, Syntax, Completeness
 Program Documentation Generator