Overview

The Rackspace Application Services (RAS) for Databases, which includes database administration (DBA) services, encompasses all setup, management, and maintenance activities for the clients’ database servers including OS and database application support. Certified Database Administrators (DBAs) improve performance through optimized database design, tuning, and troubleshooting services. Additionally, this service includes proactive monitoring, reporting, and support for environments on approved systems. Rackspace’s Database Management team can design and architect a solution based on a client’s specific needs on a variety of infrastructures including dedicated physical hardware or a Hosted Private Cloud at any of Rackspace’s global data centers, or utilizing and integrating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure public cloud resources.

Rackspace is an Oracle Gold Partner, a Microsoft Gold Hosting Partner, an AWS Premier Consulting Partner, and a DataStax Alliance Partner among others. Rackspace’s partnership with leading database suppliers and platforms enables Rackspace to provide users with the highest level of support for leading technologies.

Rackspace’s deep database expertise has included engagements with enterprise clients where Rackspace manages the key components in global architectures. These include solutions utilizing AWS Direct Connect and Rackspace-hosted, highly available Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) and SQL Server clusters to provide a complete hybrid solution that couple the AWS cloud with Rackspace Managed Services and dedicated equipment. Rackspace hosts and supports enterprise databases for multi-node, high-availability (HA) designs and is able to meet a wide variety of use cases.

The Rackspace Database Management team is highly skilled in deploying and managing MySQL clusters on Percona XtraDB for an active-active, HA design to meet client requirements. The team designs NoSQL replica sets and clusters using MongoDB, and others.

The Lead DBA

Every RAS account is assigned a lead DBA. A lead DBA is a highly skilled and experienced database administrator who becomes the expert on the data platform. They provide the strategic oversight for the data plane, understanding the customer’s business need and ensuring that Rackspace remains focused on the customer’s desired outcome. The lead DBA works closely with the Service Delivery team, processing regular database health reviews and capacity reviews, which are then provided to the customer during regular monthly or quarterly business reviews. Most lead DBAs are US-based and available during normal business hours. However, lead DBAs in other geographies or time zones can also be available.

The Database Operations team

The lead DBAs are supported by the DBAs in our 24x7x365 Database Operations team. These DBAs handle all alert triage, simple maintenances, and any break-fix troubleshooting that might occur during the life of the database. They also, with the direction provided by the lead DBA, process all scheduled maintenances for the database platform. The members of the Database Operations team are full-time Rackspace employees that are based in our offices in India.