A database administrator’s primary responsibility is to oversee the installation and ongoing operation of software on a system intended for multiple users. In almost any corporate environment, someone in this position will perform a number of specific responsibilities.
The installation of new databases is a basic responsibility for almost every database administrator. He or she will set up login credentials for authorized users, define the privileges associated with each authorized user, and ensure that every workstation connected to the network is set up to access the new database as part of the database installation. This usually includes a period of troubleshooting during which the administrator addresses and resolves any issues that users have with the new product.
Database administrators are frequently in charge of creating backup records of the data stored in the system’s databases. This entails more than just setting up an automatic backup and hoping that everything goes as planned. The administrator will review the backup files to ensure that the data is complete, that the data’s integrity is secure, and that the saved files can be easily accessed and loaded in the event that the main database fails.
New releases and upgrades are made available for almost all software on a regular basis. Any new versions or upgrades to existing versions that could improve the efficiency of a currently installed database will be made available to the database administrator. In most cases, he or she is allowed to download and install free upgrades whenever they want. If a new version is available, the administrator may consult with others in the organization to determine whether the cost of replacing the existing database software is worthwhile.
In some companies, the database administrator’s role has grown in recent years. The administrator may be asked to take a standard design and modify the fields or functions to better serve the corporation’s needs. While these projects are more commonly associated with a database analyst or designer, a database administrator in a small company may take on these responsibilities.