Database Administrator: A Better Understanding

By Author: Vijay K Shetty
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The position of a Database Administrator is one of the key roles in an IT organization. The roles of a Database administrator are similar to that of a Systems Administrator. Just as the Systems Administrator carries out the duties of maintaining the systems of an organization, the database administrator takes care of the database of the organization including tasks such as designing, implementing, maintaining and repairing the database. The database of the organization contains the key information stored in the organization about the structure and the projects of the organization. Since any organization having quite a considerable history of working years will have a vast amount of data that has to be administered, the role of a database administrator demands qualified experience and expects huge responsibility.

The key skills required from a database administrator are strong aptitude skills, communication skills including oral skills as required by any position in an IT firm. Besides these skills, the position demands concentration, dedication and ability to correspond to problem and providing proper requisite solutions ...
... quickly. Since any organization tends to have immense amount of data, a database administrator will have to monitor the database round the clock and will be required to have a watchful eye over it. He is required to have efficient security controls over the data which includes tasks like regulating the access of any user in the organization by granting permissions and restricting them when needed. Other key tasks include backing up the data for further use or incase of data loss and recovery of the data when it is needed.

Since the database of any organization is prone to be misused by anyone inside or outside of the organization, the database administrator has to have an open eye for threats and violations. Since the tasks of a database administrator are complicated, organizations tend to look for an experienced candidate for the role of the database administrator. Usually sound experience of over 4 years is demanded by any organization with other foresaid traits such as aptitude skills, programming skills and communication skills.

Despite the experience that is looked for by any organization, a candidate may be expected to produce documents supporting his completion of certification programs in the domain. Popular certification courses include the famed Microsoft's MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator), Oracle Database Administration Certificate Program and other courses on Basic SQL, Server Installation and Network Infrastructure. According to the Department of Labour of US, a database administrator earned a median salary of 84,000+ USD annually in the year of 2004. With the growth of the IT industry, it is expected that any experienced or qualified candidate in the field of data administration will have a very lucrative career.

Vijay K Shetty, Platinum Level Author.

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