What are the main Responsibilities of a Database Administrator

The database administrator is also known as a DBA. It has several roles to play and various tasks to accomplish. The entire responsibility of the database system, including securing, managing, and maintaining it falls on the shoulders of the DBA. Hence, before we dive into the job of a DBA, let’s take a moment to understand what DBA really means.

Who is a Database administrator?

A DBA could be a single individual or an entire team that is tasked with the maintenance and all duties pertaining to the database system. The amount of expertise and education you require to successfully do this job is high. Usually, the responsibilities of managing a database system are more than what a single individual can handle so businesses usually hire a team of experts to handle all of the varied tasks. 

The database administrative field has two specialties.

System database administrator

They handle the tasks pertaining to the technical and physical side of the database. It includes updating it regularly and fixing bugs in the program by ensuring that the experts are knowledgeable about system architecture and their responsibility is basically to take care of the database in the company.

Application database administrators

They provide support for a database that has a primary function that it is designed for like customer service. Therefore, they might debug or write programs with complicated programming languages. They also need to handle the various elements of all the applications in the database.

So a database administrator is basically the one who takes care of all aspects of a database system. Now let’s take a look at the responsibilities of a database administrator.

Skills required for the database administrator job

Advanced efficiency using SQL and. SQL Server tools, along with a good grasp of handling security, recovery as well as backup, and ensuring optimum performance of the database. Being knowledgeable about dimensional and relational data modeling, along with script writing skills for Unix and Power shell. A fair understanding of SSRS, SSIS, and SSAS is required, along with a strong grasp of maths, statistics, verbal and written communication, and a focus on details.

What are the Responsibilities of a database administrator?

1. Installing and maintaining the software

The SQL server or Oracle, etc. installation and configuration are done in part by the Database administrator. The system admin handles the responsibility of hardware setup and OS for the database server, after which the database administrator is responsible for setting up and installing the database software to configure for utilization. Maintenance is also handled by the DBA whenever patches and updates need to be installed.

2. Design of the Database

A database administrator is responsible for the database’s logical design. It also includes various other aspects such as external model design, physical design as well as integrity control. Database administrator takes care of the data transfer from one platform to another when a new server is put to use.

3. Determines the database content

Several and varied types of content information form a part of a database system. It is the responsibility of the database administrator to decide the fields, the kinds of fields, and the wide range of values of the database system content. It is safe to assume that the database file structure is determined by the database administrator.

4. Data handling specialization

The databases we use these days are huge and include data that is unstructured like videos, documents, images, and sound files, among others. Taking care of the operation of huge databases needs experts with top-notch skills and advanced monitoring to ensure efficient functioning. 

5. Security

A database administrator is required to know where the database software and core system are vulnerable to ensure minimum issues. You cannot fortify a system to guarantee any attacks at all, but the risks can be brought down to a minimum if proper precautions and practices are followed. If there is an irregularity or breach in security, the audit logs can help the database administrator figure out who has gained access to the data and manipulated it.  Regulated data also benefit from audit trails.

6. Build on query processing performance

There should be swift action taken when users make queries. The users require answers delivered within no time, hence the database administrator building up their query processing will inevitably lead to a noted improvement in their performance.

7. Backup and recovery of the database

Airtight backup and recovery procedures and schemes created by the database administrator depending on the best practices prevalent in the market lead to ensure that the steps are followed to keep the database safe. Time and money need to be invested to create backups which the database administrator might have to convince management is a crucial element of keeping data safe. The backups might be made into reality by the system admin or some such office staff. However, it is the responsibility of the database administrator to ensure that the schedule is adhered to. 

Conclusion

The focus of the DBA is to work smoothly functioning of your database and all of its functions. The DBA must have the right skills and expertise to apply and perform the job to the highest level of efficiency. It helps the software and database become better under the expertise and leads to successful plans. A brilliant plan lends powerful strategic and revenue value to the business.