第一章 绪论
There are many types of Oracle databases, and there are many types of Oracle database administrators
(DBAs)—this chapter discusses the role of the Oracle DBA as well as the training that Oracle
DBAs typically need to be successful. You’ll look at the daily routine of a typical DBA, which will give
you an idea of what to expect if you’re new to the field. This chapter also covers ways you can improve
your skill level as an Oracle DBA and prepare to keep the databases under your stewardship
performing optimally. Toward the end of the chapter, you’ll find a list of resources and organizations
that will help you in your quest to become a top-notch DBA.
(DBAs)—this chapter discusses the role of the Oracle DBA as well as the training that Oracle
DBAs typically need to be successful. You’ll look at the daily routine of a typical DBA, which will give
you an idea of what to expect if you’re new to the field. This chapter also covers ways you can improve
your skill level as an Oracle DBA and prepare to keep the databases under your stewardship
performing optimally. Toward the end of the chapter, you’ll find a list of resources and organizations
that will help you in your quest to become a top-notch DBA.
The Oracle DBA’s Role
The main responsibility of a DBA is to make corporate data available to the end users and the decision
makers of an organization. All other DBA tasks are subordinate to that single goal, and almost
everything DBAs do on a day-to-day basis is aimed at meeting that single target. Without access to
data, many companies and organizations would simply cease to function.
makers of an organization. All other DBA tasks are subordinate to that single goal, and almost
everything DBAs do on a day-to-day basis is aimed at meeting that single target. Without access to
data, many companies and organizations would simply cease to function.
Note Imagine the chaos that would ensue if a company such as Amazon.com no longer had access to its
customer database, even for a short time. The entire company could cease to function. At a minimum, it would
lose perhaps thousands of online orders. As a DBA, your job is to ensure access to your organization’s data. You
are also responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized access—just think of the commotion caused by
well-publicized security lapses at well-known consumer data–based organizations.
customer database, even for a short time. The entire company could cease to function. At a minimum, it would
lose perhaps thousands of online orders. As a DBA, your job is to ensure access to your organization’s data. You
are also responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized access—just think of the commotion caused by
well-publicized security lapses at well-known consumer data–based organizations.
That’s not to say that availability of data is the only thing DBAs have to worry about. DBAs are
also responsible for other areas, including the following, all of which further the key goal of making
data available to users:
also responsible for other areas, including the following, all of which further the key goal of making
data available to users:
•Security: Ensuring that the data and access to the data are secure
•Backup: Ensuring that the database can be restored in the event of either human or systems failure
•Performance: Ensuring that the database and its subsystems are optimized for performance
•Design: Ensuring that the design of the database meets the needs of the organization
•Implementation: Ensuring proper implementation of new database systems and applications
In a small organization, a DBA could be managing the entire information technology (IT) infrastructure,
including the databases, whereas in a large organization there could be a number of DBAs,each charged with managing a particular area of the system.
You can put the tasks you’ll perform as an Oracle DBA in the following three categories:
• Security
• System management
• Database design
• System management
• Database design
I discuss each of these broad roles in more detail in the following sections, outlining what you
could consider the bare minimum level of performance expected of a DBA. Although the lists in each
section may seem long and daunting, the tasks are really not that difficult in practice if you follow
certain guidelines. Proper planning and testing, as well as automating most of the routine tasks, keep
the drudgery to a minimum. All you’re left with to do on a daily basis are the really enjoyable things,
such as performance tuning or whatever else may appeal to you.
could consider the bare minimum level of performance expected of a DBA. Although the lists in each
section may seem long and daunting, the tasks are really not that difficult in practice if you follow
certain guidelines. Proper planning and testing, as well as automating most of the routine tasks, keep
the drudgery to a minimum. All you’re left with to do on a daily basis are the really enjoyable things,
such as performance tuning or whatever else may appeal to you.
