Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate and has fundamentally changed the role of database administrators (DBAs). Traditionally, DBAs have been responsible for the installation, maintenance, and management of on-prem databases. However, in the age of cloud computing, DBAs are required to adapt to new technologies, methodologies, and tools.
Cloud computing provides several benefits, including scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. However, it also brings new challenges for DBAs. Let’s examine the role of DBAs in the age of cloud computing and how they can adapt to the changing landscape:
- Embracing Cloud Technologies
DBAs must become familiar with cloud technologies and understand how they can be used to improve their organization’s data management practices. They should be familiar with cloud-based database platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Oracle Cloud, and the IBM Cloud platform. DBAs should also be proficient in cloud-based data storage and management tools such as Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Storage.
- Managing Data Security and Compliance
As businesses increasingly move their data to the cloud, DBAs must ensure that data is secure and compliant with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. DBAs must work closely with their organization’s security team to identify and address potential security risks, implement access controls, and ensure appropriate data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
- Performance Monitoring and Optimization
DBAs must monitor the performance of cloud-based databases and optimize them to ensure that they meet the organization’s requirements. This includes monitoring CPU usage, disk I/O, network bandwidth, and other performance metrics. Of course, DBAs must also be proficient in traditional performance optimization techniques such as index optimization, query optimization, database statistics collection, and partitioning and apply them to cloud databases.
- Collaboration With DevOps Teams
The rise of DevOps and agile development methodologies has fundamentally changed the way software is developed and deployed. DBAs must collaborate closely with DevOps teams to ensure that databases are integrated seamlessly into the development and deployment processes. This includes automating database deployments, version control, and continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD). This, of course, is easier said than done and requires not only the implementation of robust tooling and automation but also a philosophical change in organizational procedures and personnel.
- Knowledge of the Contract With the Cloud Provider
Cloud DBAs must have at least a basic understanding of the parameters of their contracts with their Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). Which administrative aspects does the CSP handle, and which are left to the DBA team? The promise of a cloud database is to remove tedious, rote processes such as backups (note I did not say recovery), upgrades, applying service packs, and other simple administrative efforts. But it does not remove all of them. There are still many tasks that require a DBA’s attention, and you will want your DBA staff to be there to ensure that they are handled.
Additionally, DBAs should understand the cost aspect of the contract. Although cloud computing makes it easier to scale to be able to process larger workloads, it also makes it easier to scale up the cost.
Automated scaling is great for processing a growing workload, but it can also generate a shock when the bill arrives. DBAs need to be aware of how their cloud databases are being accessed and have methods in place to react to and report on scaling and its associated costs.
- More Application-Focused
Most cloud service providers are unwilling to take on understanding and managing your applications. This, coupled with the growth of DevOps, means that cloud DBAs are often more integrated into the development process on both the front and back ends.
There are additional nuances that must be acknowledged, however. For example, it is not uncommon for a new DBMS version (or even a patch) to change things like reserved words or even SQL functionality.
So, what if an application is using one of the new reserved words as a variable? Or what if the result of a SQL statement changes because a patch tweaks the way a built-in function works? Or what if a problem is corrected in the new version that stops some SQL from working? All of these are real examples of issues that I have faced as a DBA over the years. And they are the ones that your cloud service provider will likely not fix for you.
- But Hybrid Cloud Is the Norm
Even with all the cloud-related changes to which DBAs must adapt, it rarely means that existing DBA practices and procedures for managing on-prem work are eliminated. In other words, most organizations are adopting a hybrid cloud approach. This means that most IT infrastructures use a mix of on-prem and private/public cloud services, perhaps from multiple providers. So, DBAs must learn more but keep their existing expertise too!
Conclusion
Cloud computing has transformed the role of DBAs, and it has become increasingly important for them to adapt to new technologies and methodologies. DBAs must become proficient in cloud-based technologies, data security and compliance, performance monitoring and optimization, and collaboration with DevOps teams.
By embracing these new challenges, DBAs can ensure that their organizations are well-positioned to take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing.