Developing Database Designs Cody Mercer CIS/205 November 16, 2010 Instructor Robert Fannin
Developing Database
2 Developing Database Designs Databases play an integral roll in any form of a business administration. The ability to store, access, retrieve, and implement data effectively and efficiently is at the heart of any successful network infrastructure. The definition of a database can be summed up with this statement presented by The UK Web Design Company (2003) website, Simply put, a database is a computerized record keeping system. More completely, it is a system involving data, the hardware that physically stores that data, the software that utilizes the hardware's file system in order to 1) store the data and 2) provide a standardized method for retrieving or changing the data, and finally, the users who turn the data into information (What is a Database?, para. 1). With the incorporation of properly configured servers, professionally trained database administrators, and up-to-date database software will be the key ingredients to any successful enterprise. Practice The range of databases used within my workspace range from low-levels of importance to crucial elements of data accessed during times of high-level operations. I work within the confines of a highly controlled Top Secret clearance environment. To access information on these databases one must possess a level of clearance designated by the Department of Defense. The environment itself contains large amounts of communications equipment to include servers, routers/switches, and other forms of computer hardware and software equipment. Turban and Volonino (2010) claim that, Data centers need to insure the availability of power and provide physical and data security. The newest data centers are huge and include temperature and fire controls, physical and digital security, redundant power supplies such as uninterruptible power sources (UPS), and redundant data communications connections (p. 102). The information Developing Database
3 stated by Turban and Volonino (2010) would accurately describe the type of facility that I am linked with. Specific Database System The exclusive types of databases related to my organization are as follows. We make use of databases for the utilization of communications circuit name identifiers, router/switch location and statistics, and employee recall information. Our database systems are centered on the technology MDMs or, Master Database Management Systems. Twentyman (2007) sums up the philosophy behind MDMs as, This is a practice and technology that aims to help businesses improve data consistency and accuracy across all systems and divisions, and also identifies and manages the complex web of relationships that often exist between disparate data elements (p. 52). Moreover, military and civilian employees at my job facility will draft up Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Word formats for use of seemingly modest databases for trend analysis purposes relating to explicit circuit productivity. According to Cegielski and Rainer (2007), Moreover, industry analysts estimate that most of a companys knowledge assets are not housed in relational databases. Instead, they are dispersed in e-mail, Word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on individual computers (p. 146). This is especially true in my environment in the sense that the entire business structure is broken down into smaller segments known as divisions, within these divisions we encompass information that is necessary only to our reserved line of work within that division. Therefore, these low-level databases composed of Excel spreadsheets are only necessary for divisional use and would be useless to anyone outside of this realm.
Developing Database
4 Hardware/Software Our network infrastructure involves several types of operating systems each using definite database software and one primary brand of hardware servers. Dell computers produce the particular mainframe hardware servers holding these software databases and file sharing systems. We have multiple Dell servers each allotted to an exclusive operating system primarily Windows Server 2003 and NT/XP, or an UNIX /Linux operating system. The two chief database software systems running on our UNIX/Linux operating arrangement are Sybase SQL Server and Oracle 9. These two UNIX software databases hold the circuit designator database and the router/switch information database. The Windows section of our database system will include the following programs SQL Server on our Windows Server 2003 system, and Access on the Windows NT/XP side. The types of databases residing on these specific operating systems are predominantly used for personal employee information. This will include recall information, name, rank, rate, address, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers. Improvement Possibilities If I were to incorporate any form of improvements on my database systems, I would want to reduce data redundancy, poor data control, and the inability to easily manipulate data. Cegielski and Rainer (2007) make the assumption that, Data governance is an approach to managing information across an entire organization. It involves a formal set of business processes and policies that are designed to ensure that data are handled in a certain, well-defined fashion (p. 145). Employing data governance will guarantee that all individuals accessing or instigating database information are trained and knowledgeable in the appropriate protocols and procedures for suitable database management. More important, depending on our fiscal year monetary allotment, if it were cost-effective I would upgrade are UNIX/Linux operating system Developing Database
5 from the current Oracle 9 database software to the new Oracle 11g. Additionally, our Windows 2003 Server system would be upgraded to the Windows 2008 R2. The newly updated database software would in-turn lower storage costs, reduce the disk space requirements for data, and improve overall application performance. Conclusion Databases are at the center of all commerce structures. Production and productivity are based on the inspiration of communication and the ability to access data related to ones form of business. Without a strategic method of implementation, access, manipulation, and retrieval of database information a path to failure is imminent. Every company will be partial to certain operating systems and hardware components. Whether one is Windows-based, Mac-based or UNIX-based the importance of a legitimate and effective database management system will be essential to any thriving and productive business operation.
Developing Database
6 References Cegielski, C.G., & Rainer, K.R. (2007). Introduction to information systems: Supporting and transforming business (3rd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sol, S. (2003). What is a Database?. The UK Web Design Company. Retrieved from http://www.theukwebdesigncompany.com Turban, E., & Volonino, L. (2010). Information technology for management: Improving performance in the digital economy. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Twentyman, J. (2007, September 18). How to eliminate duplicated data. Computer Weekly;, p. 52.