What are the key tasks of a database administrator?
by Daniel J. Power
Editor, DSSResources.COM
Managing data is very important for creating data-driven decision support applications and for special studies and routine analysis. The task is increasingly challenging. Database administrators (DBAs) must determine how to integrate new data sources, so-called "big data", into the current data storage and retrieval processes. Data should be stored with a purpose and care must be exercised about the how of data storage and retrieval. DBAs need to be especially concerned about data recoverability, retrieval performance, automating routine tasks and managing the cost of data management.
Data Recoverability
According to Lockwood Lyon (2013), "Most big data pilot projects typically involve standalone implementations of special hardware and software for gathering and analyzing large volumes of data. Instinctively, the DBA will not include this data in a recovery strategy for two reasons. First, the data usually is extracted from the source system, which should already be backed up. Second, a big data application used for ad hoc queries and analysis is usually given a low priority for disaster recovery. However, many big data implementations are considered mission-critical. Even a pilot project may be deemed critical by the line of business that uses the system. In these cases, the DBA may be required to implement a recovery scheme for the data store associated with the big data application."
References
Lyon, Lockwood, "The Big Data DBA," Database Journal, July 18, 2013 at URL http://www.databasejournal.com/features/db2/the-big-data-dba.html
Last update: 2014-06-30 11:17
Author: Daniel Power
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