Database Management Software

A database management system (DBMS) serves as the bridge between databases and the end users or applications it interacts with, ensuring information is consistently well-organized. A DBMS primarily uses queries to interact with relational databases and is built to consolidate and centralize data, so multiple users from any location can access it.

DBAs use DBMSs to control what data end users see, dictate how end users view the data, and provide multiple views of a single database schema. This means end users and applications don’t have to know where data is located or worry about finding it—the DBMS does the heavy lifting and handles the requests.

The benefits of using a DBMS over a traditional file system in your enterprise include:

• Improved operational efficiency: Effective database management makes it easier to convert data into valuable, useable information, which increases day-to-day efficiency.
• Improved data safety and security: As more users access an enterprise’s database, the likelihood of a data breach increases drastically. Database management software makes it easier for DBAs to enforce data confidentiality and safety guidelines and control user access.
• Improved data integration: Database management tools provide a centralized, integrated view of an enterprise’s data.
• Easier data sharing: Similarly, when all data is in one place, it’s easier to share and update data within the enterprise while following proper authorization and data security protocols. These benefits also help DBAs respond more quickly to queries.
• Better decision making: With well-managed and well-organized data, DBAs have everything they need to make accurate timeline and data-driven decisions.

While there are many kinds of DBMSs, the most common types are divided into four broad categories—relational, hierarchical, network, and object-oriented:

1. Relational database management system (RDBMS): The relational structure is the most common and organizes data into logically independent tables. All data is stored in fixed structures and can be manipulated using SQL statements like “select” or “join.” Referential integrity—when data in one table references similar data in another table to show the relationship between them—is critical to relational databases.
2. Hierarchical database management system (Hierarchical DBMS): The hierarchical structure organizes data into tree-like structures in either a top-down or bottom-up design. The hierarchy is typically defined by a parent-child relationship, in which the parent data can have many different offspring, but the children can only come from one parent. Hierarchical structures can only include one-to-one and one-to-many relationships. Since the data is hierarchical, this type of database gets complicated quickly if any one-to-many relationships are disrupted.
3. Network database management system (Network DBMS): A network structure is a slightly more complicated version of the hierarchical structure. The network structure allows for many-to-many relationships connecting to one another via a network. For instance, one child can have many parents. In contrast to a hierarchical structure, the network model lets you map highly-intricate relationships and organize your databases more efficiently by building increased relationships between different data types.
4. Object-oriented database management system (OODBMS): The object-oriented structure breaks a database down into groups of objects which store values and operations/methods. All objects with similar values and operations are grouped together into classes. This structure integrates easily with object-oriented scripting and programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and Delphi. Many programmers prefer using this DBMS type because it offers a cohesive operating environment.

The particular features of each DBMS can vary by vendor, but the best solutions on the market often share the following five features:

1. The ability to handle large databases: Almost all enterprises today store their data in large databases, so database management software must be able to keep large datasets clean and organized. Database management software can help DBAs accomplish this by enforcing user-defined validation and user-based access roles and permissions.
2. Low repetition and redundancy: If many different users with admin-level privileges interact with your enterprise’s database, some data duplication will likely occur. Your database management software should have features for reducing data repetition and redundancy, like creating a single repository accessed by multiple users.
3. Consistent filing: With database management software, DBAs can create their own rules for standardizing data throughout their organization and trust the software will apply them.
4. Robust security: Security must be top of mind when handling large amounts of sensitive data. Your database management software of choice should only give full access and editing privileges to the DBA or the department head. All other users should be restricted according to their individual access levels. These features help ensure the database remains secure and all data is handled safely.
5. Support for multi-user environments: A database management solution should allow multiple users to work on data simultaneously while supporting multiple views of the data.

Database monitoring is essential for keeping DBMSs fully effective, no matter the conditions or circumstances. Organizations whose work depends on accessing and rapidly processing information can use database administration tools to monitor and improve the performance of databases.

Without a solution to drill down into root causes, it can be challenging to diagnose and address relational database slowdowns before they affect end users. Not all database management tools allow for the in-depth, customizable performance metrics you need, and far fewer offer advice on indexing strategies and improving overall database performance.

SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) is a powerful, lightweight database administration tool making cross-platform database performance management easier. DPA offers 24/7, down-to-the-second database monitoring for virtualized, physical, and cloud-based instances. Real-time and historical analyses can also help isolate root causes and speed up troubleshooting before bottlenecks impact your end users or compromise database performance. Also, DPA comes equipped with Table Tuning Advisors to help you identify your worst-performing queries and optimize them for improved database performance.

DPA incorporates an agentless architecture safe for development, testing, and production. You can use DPA to optimize the performance of production instances so everyone on your team—DBAs, developers, engineers—can help maintain database health. And DPA database administration software scales across hundreds of databases, so you have complete, lightweight performance monitoring coverage across your systems.

Other SolarWinds tools to help manage and monitor databases:

• SQL Sentry^®
• Database Performance Monitor (DPM)
• Server & Application Monitor(SAM)

Related Features:

• Database Anomaly Detection
• Database Optimization Tool
• Database Performance Tuning
• Database Replication Monitoring
• Database Locking