Database Reference
In-Depth Information
proper hardware infrastructure with powerful database servers. A robust operating
system that can support parallel processing of data access requests must be present.
Disk storage based on RAID technology has become the norm for storage of
today's databases. Most companies also need data communications hardware and
software for the database to be in operation. In addition, middleware to support
remote operations is also in order for the database environment.
The DBMS works with the operating systems and the communication systems.
Specialists in database products need to work with systems programmers and tech-
nical support groups to manage the various resources in the database environment.
You can therefore see the need for people specialized in resource management to
carry out the necessary functions.
Tuning for Efficiency
Typically when a new database system is installed in an
organization, usage of the database steadily expands. Usage patterns themselves
change. New users come on board. More sophisticated applications are added. Over
time, the efficiency of the database begins to slide and data access times start to rise.
Transaction response times are crucial in most environments.
What must be done when the database slows down and the response becomes
sluggish? The symptoms must be analyzed, the changes in the usage patterns must
be reviewed, and the usage of resources must be examined. It is likely that new
indexes are necessary and that some existing indexes may have to be dropped. The
process of fine-tuning is a complex analytical task, and an organization needs spe-
cialists to perform this task.
Administration Objectives
From the previous subsection you are now convinced that someone or some group,
specially trained, must be responsible for the administration of the database envi-
ronment in an organization. You have seen several reasons for this essential need.
What are the major objectives of the administration function? What is this function
intended to accomplish in the database environment?
Let us summarize the main goals and objectives:
Enterprise information requirements.
Analyze business needs and determine the
information requirements to plan and conduct the organization's business.
Data integration.
Consolidate information requirements and define standards.
Information framework.
Plan for the database system; determine hardware and
system software upgrades; select DBMS.
Physical implementation.
Assist in the logical design; perform physical design;
implement and deploy database system.
Data quality.
Ensure correctness, validity, and consistency of the database system.
Data security.
Enable data access to authorized users; protect database system from
unauthorized use.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search