Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!sunic!ugle.unit.no!nuug!tglobe2!esa
From: esa@tglobe2.tollpost-globe (Esa K Viitala)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: DBA functions vs organization development
Keywords: dba
Message-ID: <152@tglobe2.tollpost-globe>
Date: 26 Feb 91 12:24:27 GMT
Organization: TOLLPOST-GLOBE AS, PB 100, N-6301 ]ndalsnes, Norway
Lines: 38

My organization is about to start living in a world of databases.
We have spent a lot of money and a lot time in developing the first of a
series of systems based on INFORMIX rdbs. We will be using OnLine and
Star. We will hopefully throw away all the old Cobol applications within
the year and start a better life ....

Now we also know that there ought to be a person or a group which takes
care of administering the database. This is normally called a Data Base
Administrator (DBA). As our organization doesn't have such a function or
position, we have to create one. And we have to define one and place it on
the org.maps.

Therefore, I ask the net community: What are the DBA tasks in your
organization? How many DBA's have you?

Currently I see the functions as two folded, there are the technical
stuff: tuning the database, making it run smoothly together with your OS
and HW and the rest of it. The second half would be knowing the contents
of the DB, keeping up the model of it and being able to answer questions
about consequences if somebody changes this and that. Also: correctness
of the data and security are aspects which interest us.

Thus: how have your organization solved this? Or if you didn't solve it
what was the problem? Pitholes?

We have a Systems Department (for development), a Technical Department
(for running the systems and hw), an EDI Department (to suggest
solutions in Electronic Data Exchange problems, mainly together with our
customers).

If I receive material enough, I'll be happy to summarize to the
net. Thanks for your time.

---ekv
-- 
Esa Viitala, TOLLPOST-GLOBE A/S, Systems Department, 
PO Box 100, N6301 ]ndalsnes, Norway Tel: (+47 72) 21211 / 264,
Fax: (+47 72) 22161 E-mail: ...!mcsun!nuug!tglobe2!esa


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com