Today’s work landscape is filled with many types of roles and responsibilities. As technologies advance and evolve, more roles are created, and it is often difficult to choose an area to focus on. This article explains the responsibilities and tasks performed by database administrators [DBAs], examines changes the field has undergone during recent years, and offers four paths that can help you become a database administrator.
What is a Database Administrator?
Database administrators [DBAs] are persons responsible for managing databases and making sure data stays available. They can be dedicated IT or operations employees, or people filling a part time role, depending on the size, complexity, and number of databases an organization has deployed.
A DBA is often responsible for the following tasks:
- Installing and maintaining databases or database applications
- Provisioning resources for your database
- Making modifications needed for integrations or use
- Creating and maintaining user permissions for the database
- Ensuring license compliance
- Maintaining backups and a disaster recovery strategy
- Monitoring and evaluating performance and configurations
- Performing any necessary migrations
Types of DBAs
Depending on the type and variety of databases in an environment, organizations may have a generalist DBA or someone with specialized experience.
System DBA
System DBAs focus on technical issues, not business related ones. These individuals understand the general processes associated with implementing and maintaining databases, including installation, configuration, and updating. System DBAs may also be responsible for configuring operating systems, transaction processors, or networks to support the database.
Application DBA
Application DBAs focus on designing databases and providing user support. These individuals tend to specialize in configuring integrations and writing or debugging SQL or other query languages. If organizations have an application DBA on staff, they work in addition to a system DBA.
Data Warehouse Administrator
Data warehouse administrators typically have knowledge of both system and application DBA responsibilities in addition to skills related to supporting and monitoring data warehouses. For example, these administrators need to understand online transactional processing [OLTP] and often online analytical processing [OLAP] workflows. They also need to be familiar with a variety of query and business intelligence tools and extract, transform, load [ETL] processes.
Cloud DBA
Cloud DBAs are administrators with knowledge that is specific to cloud databases, such as those available through Azure or AWS. This can include migration experience, knowledge of distributed or hybrid databases, and skills related to specific cloud database services. In addition to implementing these databases, cloud DBAs need to be aware of how to optimize cloud database costs and how to overcome latency issues.
How Database Administration Has Changed
In the past, large organizations often had multiple DBAs and specialists who would work together to maintain and operate their database. Due to the cost of licensing and hardware, organizations often had only one type of database that they would make fit any tasks at hand. This required DBAs to develop deep, specific knowledge that was not always translatable to other systems.
Now, with the increasing popularity of cloud resources and managed cloud database services, many organizations are implementing several databases. This enables organizations to optimize database implementations to their workload needs but requires more diverse knowledge. Modern DBAs working in these organizations are more likely to specialize in multiple cloud databases hosted with a single provider or to have generalized cloud database knowledge.
In particular, several skill and knowledge sets that DBAs are required to have are changing to support these cloud implementations.
Backup and Recovery
Traditionally, databases were manually backed up to tape drives which were often stored offsite for disaster recovery purposes. These backups were slow to create, slow to restore, and required climate controlled conditions to protect.
In comparison, cloud databases or often automatically backed up to remote cloud resources. Additionally, many services enable you to set up continuous syncing to a failsafe copy used for disaster recovery. Data duplication can all be managed remotely and doesn’t require special handling or manual processes.
Designing for the Workload
In comparison with traditional databases, cloud database services are often at least partially managed by the vendor. This means organizations no longer need DBAs to perform as many infrastructure related tasks, such as patching systems or upgrading hardware. Instead, organizations are looking for DBAs who can focus on application support, development, optimization, and security.
Optimizing Solutions
Cloud databases are significantly easier to provision and deprovision than traditional on-premises databases. This means there are fewer barriers to testing databases and creating purpose-built implementations. Modern DBAs need to be aware of the wide range of available database options, how they can be optimized for specific workloads, and what special integrations or features those databases may offer.
How to Become a Database Administrator
If the above responsibilities sound like the sort of career you’re looking for your next step is to learn what it takes to become a DBA.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS], most entry level DBAs start with a bachelor’s degree. These degrees are often in computer information systems and may include concentrations in computer science, information technology, or database systems. Usually, these programs include coursework in web page applications, databases and distributed systems, database management systems, data communications, data structures, and discrete structures.
2. Work as a Data Analyst or Database Developer
After earning a degree, the next step is often to begin working as a data analyst or database developer. Data analysts focus on collecting and analyzing data stored in databases, granting familiarity with the user side of database implementations. Database developers focus on designing and implementing database technologies and optimizations, granting familiarity with how databases are constructed and operated.
During this time, aspiring DBAs may seek out additional qualifications and certificates to improve and verify their database knowledge. For example, SQL, Cisco, and Microsoft all offer database certifications.
3. Work as a Database Manager
After a few years of working as a developer or analysts, individuals are often qualified to work as database managers. This role is one step below DBA and focuses on ensuring that databases are operating correctly and remain up to date. They may also serve as advocates between data analysts and administrators.
As a database manager, it is common for individuals to continue building their credentials and competencies with continuing education and certificate programs. As they gain skills and knowledge specialization, managers can ideally transition within their current organization to an administrative role.
4. Consider Earning a Master’s Degree
While not required to land a job as a DBA, earning a master’s degree in business intelligence, database management, or database technologies can increase the chances of getting a DBA role. This is often true in larger companies where the competition for roles is greater. In a master’s degree program, candidates typically learn about database performance tuning, database security, and data mining.
Conclusion
Database administrators are tasked with the major responsibility of managing databases. However, this role can slightly change from one organization to another. It typically includes installing and maintaining databases, provisioning resources, performing backups and recovery, and managing users. If you are interested in a career as a DBA, you can earn a BA or a master’s degree in related fields. Alternatively, you can start working as a data analyst or database developer, build your skill set and knowledge base, and then move up the ranks.