It is the responsibility of the DBA to monitor the database environment on a continuing basis in order to ensure that an efficient level of service is provided while maintaining database integrity. This responsibility for monitoring takes the form of a variety of activities and procedures, some of which are covered in this section.

The responsibility of the DBA to maintain database performance at an acceptable level is critical and difficult. The sources of degradation of service are numerous and often difficult to trace, while the process of making adjustments can be complex.

The DBA must implement a set of procedures which are designed to foresee degradation before the event and to adjust the operation or design of the database in an orderly and controlled way. This set of procedures will include the following activities:

• Identifying potential sources of degradation;

• Establishing tools for monitoring database performance;

• Controlling the implementation of adjustments;

• Controlling the implementation or redesign of the database to meet the new requirements.