There are a lot of essential tools that database administrators can use to make their lives easier, but knowing which to pick is not always simple.
This quick guide to the top tools will help admins stay on top of their responsibilities and even help them improve database performance.
Monitoring tools
Using SQL server monitoring tools is the best way to keep an eye on your database and make sure that you can address any issues before they get out of hand.
Some of the top options in this particular category include packages from SentryOne, Idera, Quest Software and Redgate. You will need to compare each suite to see which features and functions suit you needs, but in general you should look out for things like customisable alerts, index analysis, defragmentation and monitoring of core performance metrics.
This type of tool will give you the information you need to optimise your database and make changes to hardware and software if necessary to address unseen bottlenecks, without having to rely on guesswork.
Management tools
You not only have to monitor database performance but also manage functionality effectively, controlling everything from indexing to user accessibility.
For this purpose there are a number of management tools available, many of which are either affordable or even free to use, especially when it comes to open source options, meaning that they do not need to eat into your budget.
Platforms like Adminer benefit from their browser-based interfaces that are somewhat straightforward but more importantly accessible from different devices. Counterparts like Firebird afford integration with third-party apps to empower administrators across a range of database varieties, including hybrids of on-site and cloud-powered server setups.
Backup tools
Making sure that a database is running as it should is just one part of an administrators job; they should also be able to have a plan in place to ensure that unplanned downtime due to hardware or networking issues does not lead to data loss or disruption.
Achieving this requires the use of database backup tools, ensuring that when a catastrophe occurs it is possible to restore data and get everything up and running without delay. Some management tools bake in this type of capability, although plenty of admins prefer to rely on a separate solution to make sure that they do not keep all of their eggs in one basket.
Some of the more popular options around at the moment include Iperius Backup, Dumper and Flexential. As with the other types of tools on offer, some of these are free to use while others offer affordable trials alongside professional iterations that unlock more features for a price.
The reality is that smaller organisations cannot afford to ignore the risks they face in terms of data loss, so taking continuity seriously is vital. All of these tools can be leveraged by database administrators to mitigate this and make sure that every user and app has fast, consistent access to the information they need.