The types of users and their roles and responsibilities at a site can vary. A small site can have one database administrator who administers the database for application developers and users.

A very large site can find it necessary to divide the duties of a database administrator among several people, and among several areas of specialization.

Tasks of a Database Administrator
Task 1: Evaluate the Database Server Hardware
Task 2: Install the Oracle Software
Task 3: Plan the Database
Task 4: Create and Open the Database
Task 5: Back Up the Database
Task 6: Enroll System Users
Task 7: Implement the Database Design
Task 8: Back Up the Fully Functional Database
Task 9: Tune Database Performance

A database administrator's responsibilities can include the following tasks:
• Installing and upgrading the Oracle server and application tools
• Allocating system storage and planning future storage requirements for the database system

• Creating primary database storage structures (tablespaces) after application developers have designed an application
• Creating primary objects (tables, views, indexes) once application developers have designed an application

• Modifying the database structure, as necessary, from information given by application developers

• Enrolling users and maintaining system security
• Ensuring compliance with your Oracle license agreement
• Controlling and monitoring user access to the database
• Monitoring and optimizing the performance of the database
• Planning for backup and recovery of database information
• Maintaining archived data on tape
• Backing up and restoring the database
• Contacting Oracle Corporation for technical support