| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Database administrator, database analyst |
Activity sectors | Information technology, information systems |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Databases design and implementation, programming skills, database theory, networking basics, analytical skills, critical thinking |
Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data.[1]
The role may include capacity planning, installation, configuration, database design, migration, performance monitoring, security, troubleshooting, as well as backup and data recovery.[2]
Skills
List of skills required to become database administrators are:[3][4][5]
- Knowledge of database theory
- Knowledge of database design
- Knowledge about the RDBMS itself, e.g. Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL
- Knowledge of structured query language (SQL), e.g. SQL/PSM or Transact-SQL
- General understanding of distributed computing architectures, e.g. Client–server model
- General understanding of operating system, e.g. Windows or Linux
- General understanding of storage technologies and networking
- General understanding of routine maintenance, recovery, and handling failover of a database
Database administrators benefit from a bachelor's degree or master's degree in computer science. An associate degree or a certificate may be sufficient with work experience.[6]
Certification
There are many certifications available for becoming a certified database administrator. Many of these certifications are offered by database vendors themselves. Database administrator certifications may be earned by passing a series of tests and sometimes other requirements. Schools offering Database Administration degrees can also be found.[7]
For example:
- IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator - DB2 10.1 for Linux, Unix and Windows[8]
- IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 10.1 for Linux, Unix, and Windows[8]
- Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional[9]
- Oracle MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator Certified Professional[10]
- MCSA SQL Server 2012[11]
- MCSE Data Platform Solutions Expert [12]
Duties
A database administrator's responsibilities can include the following tasks:[13]
- Installing and upgrading the database server and application tool
- Allocating system storage and planning storage requirements for the database system
- Modifying the database structure, as necessary, from information given by application developers
- Enrolling users and maintaining system security
- Ensuring compliance with database vendor license agreement
- Controlling and monitoring user access to the database
- Monitoring and optimizing the performance of the database
- Planning for backup and recovery of database information
- Maintaining archived data
- Backing up and restoring databases
- Contacting database vendor for technical support
- Generating various reports by querying from database as per need
- Managing and monitoring data replication
- Acting as liaison with users
See also
- Comparison of database tools
References
- ^ "Database Administrators". 11/04/2015. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- ^ "What does a DBA do all day?". 11/04/2015. techrepublic.com. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- ^ Spenik, Mark; Sledge, Orryn (20 March 2001). "What is a Database Administrator? (DBA)". Developer.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ^ "Oracle DBA job skills". Burleson Consulting.
- ^ "Roles and Responsibilities - Oracle FAQ".
- ^ "Database Administrator: Job Description and Requirements". 11/4/2015. study.com. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- ^ "How Do I Become a Certified Database Administrator?". learn.org. learn.org. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- ^ a b "IBM Professional Certification Program". ibm.com. IBM. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Oracle Certification Program". oracle.com. Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ "Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator". oracle.com. Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "MCSA: SQL Server". microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ "MCSE: Data Platform". 11/4/2015. microsoft.com. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- ^ "Oracle DBA Responsibilities". Oracle Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2012.