DBAsupport.com Forums - Powered by vBulletin
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Who Should Support The Databases

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    6

    Question Who Should Support The Databases

    In my company we have outsourced Operations Support to one vendor and Application Support to another. Things relatively ok with arrangement except with DB Administration Support. By default we have given the System DB support to the Ops vendor (install Oracle/Sybase/Informix, apply patches, DB backups, etc.), while the Application DB Administration (tables, data manipulation, etc.) has gone to the App vendor. Over the years, new technology has begun merging the lines between where Operational DB support should end and App DB support begins. We are now challenged with having to define the gray area where system support ends and application support begins. Any idea's as to how to define this seperation of responsibilities? Pros/Cons to not seperating the DB Administration support in this fashion?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Colorado Springs
    Posts
    5,253
    Do you have examples of situations that have been difficult to manage?
    David Aldridge,
    "The Oracle Sponge"

    Senior Manager, Business Intelligence Development
    XM Satellite Radio
    Washington, DC

    Oracle ACE

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    3,134
    Well, in my shop we have two departments that support the DB. One handles the instance and the tablespaces created on install. So anything regarding the instance (memory, oracle re-boot, upgrades, installs) they would be responsible for. That also includes RBS, system and temp tablespaces.

    The other half supports applications and handles all the physical stuff. Tables, indexes, imp/emp, tablespaces and application releases.

    This "division" has benefits and drawbacks, if I get paged at 4am and there is a problem with the TEMP tablespace, I can't touch it, so some other poor schmuck will get paged over this, silly but those are the rules. The other problem is that you tend to feel like 1/2 a DBA.
    It can also be complicated when you have to co-ordinate with 3 or more seperate groups (let's not forget the OS sys admin) to do an upgrade.

    I'm still thinking of the benefits....????

    MH
    I remember when this place was cool.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Colorado Springs
    Posts
    5,253
    Originally posted by Mr.Hanky
    I'm still thinking of the benefits....????
    $$$'s?
    David Aldridge,
    "The Oracle Sponge"

    Senior Manager, Business Intelligence Development
    XM Satellite Radio
    Washington, DC

    Oracle ACE

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    6
    Slimdave & Mr. Hanky,
    Thanks for the feedback! Mr. Hanky, do you and I work in the same shop , the environment here is about the same as you describe. Over time we have moved some applications which had split support all to the Application DBA team, which "resulted in reduced costs". The confusion comes about as we move into CRM, PeopleSoft, Oracle ERP, and Siebel applications, where it is felt by the business that tighter integration with the OS & DB system's justify the need for DBA's skilled in both Oracle and let's say SAP. We are charged with defining the lines of delineation as to when a App should have DBA functions split or all support given to one or the other Support ogrnization. We currently have a cup full of everything: Ops DBA & App DBA, Ops DBA Only (Does application DBA functions), Application DBA Only (Does system DBA functions). Now we need to clean up the mess.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    greenwich.ct.us
    Posts
    9,092
    Send everything to India!
    Jeff Hunter

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Manchester, England
    Posts
    202


    there is just me here so i get to do everything.
    someone pass me that CV

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    6

    Wink

    Thanks all for the feedback, including the send it all to India, which in this case is not far fetched, since we are in a trial with the Application provider to do just that . In any case, our model is coming together, such that the DB Support would for the most part stay split between the two org's, but there would be guidelines for where it is okay to have the Application Development provider perform all DBA functions when specialized apps are involved. Now I'm off the Middleware, talk at ya later.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Click Here to Expand Forum to Full Width