This document discusses the role of database administration and the responsibilities of database administrators (DBAs). It describes how DBAs support decision making at different management levels and ensure proper data use, security, backup, and distribution. Key responsibilities of DBAs include managing policies and standards, user support, data security, backup and recovery, and testing during the database design and implementation process.

1. IST 210
Database Administration
Todd S. Bacastow

2. IST 210
Need for Databases
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Data is used by different people, in different
departments, for different reasons
Interpretation and Presentation of data in
useful formats
Distribution of data and information
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To the right people
At the right time
Data Preservation
Control over Data Duplication and Use

3. IST 210
Role of the Database
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Primary Role: To Support Managerial
Decision Making at All Levels of the
Organization
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Top Level  Strategic Decisions
Middle Management  Tactical Decisions
Operational Management  Daily, Operational
Decisions
DBMS must provide each level a separate
view of the data and support their specialized
decision making roles
Provide a seamless flow of information
throughout the company

4. IST 210
Top Level Management
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Provide information for strategic decision making,
strategic planning, policy formation, and goals
definitions
Provide access to data to identify growth
opportunities
Provide a framework for defining and enforcing
organizational policies
Improve the likelihood of a positive return on
investment for the company
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Ways to reduce cost
Increase Productivity
Provide feedback on whether the company is
achieving its goals

5. IST 210
Middle Management
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Provide necessary data for tactical decision making
and planning
Monitor and control the use of company resources
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How efficiently are the resources allocated and used
(including data)
What potential or current operational problems exist
Evaluate the performance of the different departments
Provide a framework for ensuring the security and
privacy of the data in the database

6. IST 210
Operational Management
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Represent and support the company
operations
Produce query results within set
performance levels
Enhance short-term operational ability
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Timely information for Customer Support
Support for application development and
computer operations

7. IST 210
Special Database Considerations
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Having a database does not mean the data
will be use properly, efficiently, correctly
DBMS is just a tool for managing data – it
must be used correctly  effective
management and use
3 Main Processes for implementing a DBMS
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Technological  DBMS software and hardware
Managerial  Administrative Functions
Cultural  Corporate Resistance to Change

8. IST 210
Evolution of the DBA
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Data Processing Department
Information Systems Department
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Service Function to provide end users active data
management support
Production Function to provide solutions to information
needs (application development)
DBA – Database Administration
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Size and Role varies from company to company
DBA’s function is very dynamic
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Distributed Databases
Internet Databases
Object Oriented databases
Sophistication and Power of the DBMS packages

9. IST 210
Common Functions of DBA
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Database Planning
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Standards, procedures, enforcement
Requirements Gathering and Conceptual
Design
Logical Design
Physical Design and Implementation
Testing and Debugging
Operations and Maintenance
Training and Support

10. IST 210
DBA’s Managerial Role
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Control and Planning Dimensions of
Database Administration
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Coordinating, Monitoring, and Allocating
database administration resources
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People
Data
Defining Goals and Formulating Strategic
Plans for the Database Administration
function

11. IST 210
DBA’s Responsibilities
DBA Activity
DBA Service
Planning
End-User Support
Organizing
Monitoring
Policies, Procedures,
Standards
Data Security, Privacy,
Integrity
Data backup and Recovery
Delivering
Data Distribution and Use
Testing

12. IST 210
End-User Support
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User Requirements Gathering
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Conflict and Problem Resolution
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Understanding of the users’ views and needs
Present and Future information needs
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

13. IST 210
Policies, Procedures, and Standards
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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
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Rules that are used to evaluate the qualityof the
activity

14. IST 210
Areas of Policies and Procedures
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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

15. IST 210
Data Security, Privacy and Integrity
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User Access Management
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Define each user to the database
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Assign Passwords
Define User Groups
Assign Access Privileges
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Physical Access Control
Protect and Control the Scope of the Data that is accessible to a user
DBMS utilities access control
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Read
Write
Delete
View Definitions
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Operating System Level
Database Level
Limit the use of query and reporting tools
DBMS usage Monitoring
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Audit Logs
(More difficult in distributed databases)

16. IST 210
Data Backup and Recovery
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Disaster Management
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Periodic Data and Application Backups
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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

17. IST 210
Data Backup and Recovery
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Recovery and Contingency plans
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Tested
Evaluated
Practiced
Will Not Recover all components of an
IS
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Establish priorities for the nature and
extend of the data recovery process

18. IST 210
Data Distribution and Use
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Data is only useful when:
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Programmers Deliver programs to access data
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Given to the Right User
Right Time
Right Format
Time consuming for DBA
Data Distribution allows end users to access the
database
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Internet
Intranets
Queries, Web Front Ends
End Users may make improper use of database, data
duplication, etc.

19. IST 210
DBA’s Technical Role
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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

20. IST 210
Evaluation, Selection, and Installation
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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

21. IST 210
DBMS Checklist
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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

22. IST 210
Design and Implementation
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Determination and Enforcement of Standards
and Procedures
Ensure the Design activities are performed
within the Standards and Procedures
Ensure Transactions are:
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Correct
Efficient
Compliant with Integrity and Standards
Physical Design
Operational Procedures

23. IST 210
Testing and Evaluation
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All Database and End User Applications
Maintained Independently of Development
and Implementation
Cover:
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Technical Aspects
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Evaluation of Documentation
Observance of Standards
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Backup, Recovery, Security, Integrity, SQL
Naming, Documentation, Coding
Data Duplication Conflicts with existing data
Enforcement of Data Validation rules

24. IST 210
Operation of DBMS, Utilities, and
Applications
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System Support
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Performance monitoring and tuning
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Day-to-day activity of the DBMS
Performance Goals
Evaluate if performance objectives are being met
Isolate Problems and Find solutions
Implement solutions
Backup and Recovery
Security auditing and monitoring
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Appropriate access rights
Proper use of access privileges by programmers and end
users

25. IST 210
Training and Supporting Users
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Technical Training in the use of DBMS
and Utilities for Applications
Programmers
Unscheduled on-demand technical
support
Interaction with DBMS vendors

26. IST 210
Maintenance of DBMS
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Dedicated to the Preservation of the DBMS
environment
Management of the Physical or Secondary
Storage devices
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Reorganizing the physical location of the data
Upgrading the DBMS and Utility Software
Exchange of data is dissimilar formats or
between database

27. IST 210
Database Administration Tools
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Data Dictionary
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Store the Description of all objects that interact
with the database
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Integrated  Include data outside of DBMS
Standalone  limited to data of DBMS
Case Tools
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Computer Aided Software Engineering
Automated Framework for the SDLC
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Front-End Tools
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Planning, Analysis, Design
Back-End Tools
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Coding and Implementation

28. IST 210
Data Dictionary
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Data Elements from all tables of all databases
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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

29. IST 210
Case Tools
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Reduction in development time and costs
Standardization of Systems Development
Methodologies
Easier Maintenance of Application Systems
Developed with CASE Tools
Components:
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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