Re: DBA vs UNIX Admin Roles

In article <moricetCyHnwv.1wC_at_netcom.com> moricet_at_netcom.com (Tom Morice) writes:
>Hi William:
>
>I've had experience with two types of organizational structures
>where DBAs are:
>
>1) more closely aligned with applications development
>2) part of Computer Operations Tech. Support
>
>The problem with option 1 above is that it creates a "perception"
>that DBAs are in essence "developers" and have no justifiable need
>to do traditional "systems support" functions.
>

[One of the best descriptions of why 2 is better, deleted]

DBA's need to straddle both of these structures. Tuning is determined by design and application details, as well as by runtime tuning parameters. So the DBA has to have controlling input as to how the developers code, as well as what is happening in operations. For example, if the database needs to be taken down in an emergency, operations has to be able to kick everyone off, so the DBA can do whatever (or, hopefully, see a way around the problem so ops doesn't have to kick everyone off. It's often a judgement call, which only the DBA has the skill to make). The user may be king, but the DBA is a god. (Developers must therefore be hosts of archangels :) (Hell is left as an exercise for the student).

If this is organized correctly, users should be able to think they are the most important for most normal situations. Ops can think they are most important, but it only really matters in special situations. DBA's are highly skilled, expensive and scarce resources, and the organization should be designed to admit this.

>In the shop I've worked in for many years, the size of the
>system is such that we've even had to split the DBA function
>into a "systems support" piece and a "design and analysis" piece,
>but they are both under our equivalent "Computer Operations Technical
>Support" staff.
>

In that scenario, why isn't design and analysis under applications? Or is that a liason position?

>Hope this helps, I'll be glad to discuss it more with you
>if you have any more questions.
>
> (moricet_at_netcom.com)
>
>
>deco4_at_mail.msen.com wrote:
>
>: Hello all, at my installation (large IBM mainframe,
>: VAX(VMS), HP(HP-UX) shop, we are having on on-going
>: controversy about the division of responsibility between
>: the Oracle DBAs and the Computer Operations Technical
>: support staff. At issue are
>: 1. Who writes and runs back-up scripts?

And don't forget, who tests them!

jg

>: 2. Who brings up/down the Oracle data bases?
>: 3. etc. etc.
>: I would be interested in knowing how other large sites
>: handle this situation. Our Oracle DBAs are part of the
>: Application development group, not part of computer
>: operations. Thanks for your help.
>: William R. Aikman
 

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Joel Garry           joelga_at_amber.rossinc.com            Compuserve 70661,1534
These are my opinions, not necessarily those of Ross Systems, Inc.
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