Re: DBA vs SysAdmin

Stephen Anthony wrote:
>
> My appologies for the wide distribution of this.
>
> What are the differences between the job of a DBA and a SysAdmin? To
> what extent does a DBA routinely get involved in sys admin issues? I'm
> specifically curious about backup/recovery of DBs. Who decides what
> gets backed up; where & when?
>
> Many thanks for any insight.

Hi Stephen.

I'm an Oracle DBA. I think the company you work with has a lot to do with the differences in these roles. I have worked for companies that required my skills to encompass 'DBA': all database related tasks, as well as 'SYS ADMIN': O/S and machine related takes.

When I work for larger companies they normally have seperate SYS ADMIN teams which look after the Machines and O/S. However, I still find myself involved heavily in both sides.

With respect to backup/recovery. The SYSADMIN group should ensure that the machine is available as much as possible and that a valid file system backup is taken once a night. It the the job of the DBA to ensure that when this backup runs, the database is in a consistent state thus enabling a valid file set. This is normally achieved by shutting the database down prior to the backup. If the database is running when the backup is taken, it is unlikely a recovery will be possible.

Ideally the entire machine should be backed up every night.

Jensen. Received on Mon Mar 24 1997 - 00:00:00 CET