Database Reference
In-Depth Information
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Manage users and provide authorization for data access
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Manage disk space
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Create indexes for faster data retrieval or drop indexes that are no longer
necessary
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Tune the database
Ongoing Monitoring
Monitoring the database is a primary daily function for the database administrator.
Every day, the database administrator checks the space utilization reports produced
through database utilities. The administrator must make sure that none of the data-
base files is close to running out of space. If a file runs out of space during normal
daily operations, users will be prevented from adding records to the file. For those
users, the database becomes useless until the situation is rectified. Database
administrators try to prevent such mishaps by keeping watch over space utilization
through database statistics.
Database administrators continually monitor usage by the various user groups.
They constantly monitor usage patterns to determine how each data structure is
being accessed. Is there a need to establish new and faster paths for retrieval? Are
there peak times when excessive usage overloads the system? Is there a steady
increase in the number of users?
Another aspect of ongoing monitoring relates to database security. Database
administrators must continue to prevent unauthorized access. They must monitor
against illegal attempts at data retrieval and guard against hackers. This is especially
significant where the database is open to the organization's business partners or
even to the general public. Database administrators constantly scrutinize who uses
the database and which files they normally use.
Database administrators continually monitor the database by analyzing database
statistics produced by the DBMS utilities. These statistics enable them to take the
necessary steps to tune the database whenever necessary and to facilitate smooth
and uninterrupted growth of the database.
Performance Tuning
If the database project is successful and the implementation satisfactory, you will
notice a marked increase in the number of users. More people will understand the
ease with which they can obtain information from the organization's database. They
will realize how information sharing could be effective in each individual process.
Enthusiasm will increase rapidly.
More users mean more database transactions. The number of daily transactions
accessing the database usually doubles within the first six months. The increase in
the number of transactions is produced through standard applications as well as ad
hoc queries for information from the database. At the outset, power users may begin
with simple queries; but, as they become adept at using the database, they will
execute more and more complex queries.
An increasing number of users, a rising number of transactions, and an increased
query sophistication—all of these slow database access down over time. Retrieving
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