Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
resolution. Software agents monitor every aspect of database use and notify a Remote DBA
of any warnings, alerts, or fatal errors. To differentiate between various levels of required
support, CTI uses an assessment scale, at the top of which is CTI's “SmartSource” database
administration.
Other examples include the following:
1.
Optimum Computing Resources (2002) is a new provider of remote DBA. Among others,
the company cites two major reasons for customers to choose remote DBA as opposed
to on-site DBA:
- To reduce the cost of DBA services by avoiding hiring a permanent DBA and paying
for the actual time of DBA services (which can widely fluctuate in time)
- To acquire specific DBA expertise
2.
Virtual-DBA (2002), from Xtivia, offers comprehensive remote virtual database man-
agement designed to meet the database maintenance and management needs. A remote
database needs to be continually monitored and have its system optimization param-
eters tuned and adjusted for the best possible operation. The cost of having the
database down at a critical moment can be devastating for the businesses operating
in today's dynamic environments. Details of tuning, optimizing, and maintaining
databases often escape the attention of top management.
Training a resident database expert DBA with a narrow specialization in a particular
platform or a database product can be lengthy and costly. Frequently, other business
requirements take higher priority over database maintenance and tuning issues. The
concept of virtual database management addresses remote monitoring of critical
database operational functions and remote monitoring of database system resource
utilization.
3.
Ntirety (2002) technologies offers a variety of Remote DBA services depending on the
level of service required http://www.ntirety.com/services/remoteDBA.html.
4.
Burleson (BEI) (2002) Remote DBA provides automated remote Oracle support for
database administration tasks in the United States and Mexico. For comparison with
a resident DBA, the Gold-level support, offered by BEI Remote DBA service, provides
complete Oracle database administration remotely at $1400/month per database
instance. The service includes the following:
-
Initial Oracle database configuration, installation, and periodic upgrades
-
Installation of a statistics collection mechanism
-
Monitoring, performance, analysis and tuning
-
Resolving serious database alert log messages
5.
Technical experts of Pangea Database Systems (2002), a division of Oxford Global
Technologies (OGT), provide remote DBA services for new and existing Oracle
Applications.
6.
An IT certification training company, Hello Computers (2002), provides free hands-on
remote lab access to Sun Solaris Labs and Oracle Labs through the Internet. These labs
are clearly defined, and hardware is wired for you to implement them. The applicant
requesting access to free hands-on labs completes an application online, specifies the
product (Sun Solaris or Oracle), and three four-hour time slots for operations will be
allocated to the applicant. A Web site is designated for online conversations. Training
is supported with an instructor who leads real-time classes for students accessing the
system from their home or office.
