As more and more data is pumped into the cloud the necessity of the DBA is being questioned. Of course, not by DBAs, but by almost everybody else. Most DBAs are, more than likely, shaking their heads and trying to figure out why folks think they are now dispensable.

You see, the typical extolled value proposition of cloud computing is to reduce cost and minimise work. And sure, if you implement your cloud computing strategy effectively, it is possible to achieve both of these objectives. But wise organisations will not be eliminating all of their DBAs even as they move more work and data to the cloud.

So let’s say your organisation has moved one of its large enterprise databases to a managed cloud service. Doesn’t matter which one, just that the cloud database will be managed by the cloud service provider. Management looks at this and inevitably thinks “If the cloud provider is managing the database why do I need DBAs? That was their job.”

Certainly this is an understandable position unless you review what is actually going on. It gets to a basic point — one highlighted in the title of this post — that I frequently make: “Almost never say always or never or all or nothing!” Yes, the promise of cloud database is to remove tedious, rote processes like backups (note I did NOT say recovery), upgrades, and other simple administrative efforts. But it does not remove ALL of them. There are still many things that require DBA attention and you will want your DBA staff to be there to ensure that they are handled.

First, look at backup and recovery. It is definitely possible for a remote managed service provider to perform some standard backups on your databases. That said, based on your application needs and recovery time objectives, you may need more than a simple daily backup. DBAs will know this and be able to work with the cloud provider to either provide customised backup scheduling or to do it themselves.

From a recovery perspective, the cloud service provider is certainly capable of performing recovery from a catastrophic hardware failure. After all, the hardware is their responsibility, too. But what about an application recovery, where only certain transactions need to be backed out? Or what is an application process encounters an issue that requires only certain objects to be recovered? It is unlikely that your cloud provider has this level of intimate knowledge of your applications’ but your DBAs will.

And recovery is just one example. Think about software upgrades and patches. Most DBAs will be thrilled to rid themselves of this laborious and tedious task. Turning it over to the cloud service provider makes sense. But even then there are things that your DBAs must get involved with. Why is that?

Well, most cloud service providers are unwilling to take on understanding your applications. But 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 results of an SQL statement changes because of a tweak to the results that a built-in function returns? 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 things that your cloud service provider will not fix for you.

And one final example: most cloud service providers will put the onus of application performance on you. Sure, they will offer monitoring solutions, but interpreting the performance reports and identifying what needs to change in the application typically remains the responsibility of the client. And when it comes to database applications, that is the responsibility of DBAs (in tandem with developers at times).

There are many technical reasons that this is not so. And there are non-technical reasons, too. If you get rid of your DBAs then the only folks who will know your databases in any reasonable detail will be at your cloud service provider. This can be a recipe for disaster because the service provider will always put their companies’ best interests first, as they should. You need DBAs who put your companies’ best interests first!

So pump the brakes before saying that the cloud will make DBAs obsolete!

Huawei has announced that it is to be a founding member of a new program backed by the Internet Society (ISOC) to actively improve global Internet security.

The global economy has never been as interconnected or as reliant on the internet as it is now. And while it may appear to some that the internet is a single coherent entity, it is in fact a massively devolved array of interconnected networks managed by numerous different entities and running on equipment from a variety of different vendors. International cooperation is essential to ensure that is it able to combat the many threats that is faces.

The routing foundations on which the internet is built is relied upon to transport exponentially increasing volumes of digital traffic, but this infrastructure has cracks, and they are growing. Every day goes dozens of incidents affect this routing system. Route hijacking, route leaks, IP address spoofing, and other harmful activities often leading to DDoS attacks, traffic inspection, lost revenue, reputational damage, and more. These incidents not only occur on a global scale, but they are hyper-infectious by nature, with the routing problems faced by one operator rapidly cascading to impact others.

Huawei joins MANRS to strengthen global internet security

To provides crucial fixes to reduce the most common routing threats, the Internet Society has instigated a global initiative called Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS). Critical to its success is the participation of the router vendors, such as Huawei, which have joined its Equipment Vendor Program (EVP).

Huawei is seeking to lead by example through its active contributions to the new MANRS Equipment Vendor Program, explained Andrei Robachevsky, Senior Director, Technology Programs for the ISOC: “Along with other founding participants in the program, Huawei’s involvement shows the importance network equipment vendors have in Internet routing security, and we hope it will motivate more members of the Internet infrastructure community to continue to make advancements to a more secure Internet for everyone.”

“Routing security is crucial to Internet security, and that includes network devices (e.g., routers and IXP switches), the foundation of the Internet,” added Hank Chen, President of Router Domain, Data Communication Product Line, Huawei. “Over the years, Huawei has dedicated itself to building secure and reliable network devices and has extensive capabilities and experience in the field.” He also stated that Huawei was honored to join MANRS as an active contributor to Internet security.

This kind of contribution and collaboration will be essential if the Internet Society’s MANRS program is to stand any chance of succeeding. All of us who rely so heavily on the internet must hope that it does.

Source: https://www.huawei.com/en/news/

I recently hosted & moderated an hour-long live-stream expert panel discussion on May 12th at 11 am AEST, sponsored by Supply Chain Insights Digital Magazine.

Please tune in to the entire recording to enjoy this amazing event as I talk with leading enterprises on the changing face of eCommerce. This interactive panel discussion of 45 minutes with our expert guest, followed by a Q&A section, covers everything from fulfilment locations to hardware requirements, software and infrastructure.

In this event, I’m joined by experts from TMX, Rackspace, Zebra Technologies, and leading supply chain solutions organisation Manhattan Associates, who each shared their insights, knowledge, and perspectives on the topics.

Supply Chain Insights Digital Magazine

SCI is a new supply chain technology digital magazine, Supply Chain Insights, which looks behind the scenes and explores innovative technology and processes that make supply chains revolutionary.

Our panel for this event includes:

• Travis Erridge: Co-Founder & CEO, TMX
• Chris Buckthorp: Director of Professional Services at Manhattan Associates
• Royston Phua: Vertical Practice Lead – APAC Supply Chain, Zebra
• Matthew Heap: Head of Solution Architecture APJ, Rackspace

After our panel discussion section, we moved to an interactive Q&A with our live audience & attendees, who got to tap into the brainpower of the fantastic panel. Our panellists offered some top-notch takeaways and actionable insights almost any organisation can benefit from.

Push play now to tune in for this live-stream event replay.

This video was created in association with Supply Chain Insights Digital Magazine.

For more information about our event partners, visit:

• Manhattan Associates: http://bit.ly/manhattanassociates-website 
• TMX: http://bit.ly/tmx-website 
• Zebra: http://bit.ly/zebra-website 
• Rackspace Technology: http://bit.ly/rackspace-website 

You can also “join the conversation” on our social platforms or simply follow the partners on LinkedIn and Twitter and post your questions to them; all are looking to engage with you online any day, anytime you’re ready.