FAQs

Below are the Frequently Asked Questions about the remote DBA/database administration services offered by Virtual-DBA to address the database system administration and management needs of clients.

1. What is Virtual-DBA?

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Virtual-DBA is a remote DBA/database administration service offering from Xtivia to address the database system administration and management needs of its subscribers. Virtual-DBA remotely monitors critical IBM DB2 UDB, IBM Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and Sybase database operational functions and statistics on a daily basis to help ensure system availability, optimum performance and trouble-free operation, so you have expert database administrators available, when your system needs them. Our expert database administrators are also on-call and can be contacted by you with questions, or to get help when you need it.

2. How does Virtual-DBA work?

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3. I don't have or want a full-time DBA. Why do I need Virtual-DBA?

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An often overlooked fact is that most business information systems, whether developed in-house or purchased "off the shelf" from application vendors, are designed to utilize a commercially available relational database management system. In order to properly maintain optimal performance and ensure system availability, someone who understands the technology must be assigned the task of supporting the database component of the business application. In most cases a full-time DBA is not a perfect fit, but Virtual-DBA allows you to have a DBA on your terms, only when you need one.

4. I already have a full-time DBA. Why do I need Virtual-DBA?

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Are you looking to augment your current DBA staff? Do you need more coverage due to increased workload or attrition? Do you need coverage while your current DBA takes vacation or goes to training? Want to free up your DBA from doing routine maintenance to work on critical new business issues? Virtual-DBA can support your current DBA by taking over the everyday monitoring and tuning tasks and alerting your DBA when issues are found. Short term coverage is also available for those times that your DBA needs to be away from your business. Your DBA gets support when it's needed and wanted.

5. What does Virtual-DBA cost?

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There is a monthly fee that covers the basic database operation monitoring and management features of the basic service and up to a set number of hours of remote consulting support per month. Since the service can be customized to meet your specific needs it is best to contact a Virtual-DBA representative. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fill out our information request form.

6. What do I do if I want some help with my database system?

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Your assigned Virtual-DBA database specialist is a phone call away and is available for telephone, remote and on-site consulting, support and coaching. Since specific database specialists are assigned to monitor your systems they will already be familiar with your installation and setup which should save you and us time.

7. Does Virtual-DBA include backup and recovery?

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The monitoring of standard backup completion is included with the basic service. Virtual-DBA does have the experience and resources to help you meet your entire backup and recovery needs and can customize the service offering as required.

8. Is Virtual-DBA a tool that can automatically tune the database engine?

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Not exactly. Virtual-DBA is a tool to be used by you, where our experienced DBAs gather and analyze the information about your IBM DB2 UDB, IBM Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and Sybase database to allow for its proper tuning. Expert guidance or consulting in tuning your database engine is always available from our experienced engineers.

9. How will this service work in conjunction with my software vendor support? 

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Relying on the vendor of the application that rides on the database does not yield an adequate level of database management. Their main focus is support of the application so they are not equipped to offer database support on a widespread basis to their client base. They cannot provide the regularly scheduled database management program required to meet the need. Often times, the vendor is familiar with the database only as a platform on which the software was built and is not able to give the necessary level of support. The Virtual-DBA service is primarily focused on the database portion of your application. Since the service is highly customizable we can work with your software vendor support staff just as we would work with you. Your Virtual-DBA can work with them on your behalf to represent your needs as they relate to your business and your database.

10. What are the primary ways Virtual-DBA will save me money?

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A few good examples of how Virtual-DBA can provide return on investment are as follows: