I. Enterprise Architecture
First of all, Enterprise DBMS started out using an architecture system called, Teleprocessing. It uses the CPU and one computer to operate in a multi-user database system. The end-user uses a dumb terminal that will transmit information to a centralized computer. The information than is transmitted to the appropriate applications, databases, etc. for further processing.
The next step in architecture was the Client-Server system which simply consists of multiple computers that are connected to a network. The computers that consist of the applications are called the client and the computers that process these applications are called servers. Shown below is a sample of this type of architecture:
Another one that can be considered is the file-sharing system that also uses the multi-user architecture. This type simply distributes to the end-users computers all the applications and DBMS ' that are needed. The servers in this architecture will server as a file server and not a database server.
II. Advantages and Disadvantages:
There are several advantages and disadvantages as to the usage of a Enterprise DBMS. Listed below are some of these:
Advantages:
- Centralized Data Management Better control of database system;
- Data Independence Independence between data and programs;
- Systems Integration All files are put into one system to avoid redundancy and efficiency. Disadvantages:
- Confidentiality, Privacy and Security The database system maybe abused because of all the usage it will be having from end-users;
- Data Quality Because of end-users accessing data, controls will have to be implemented to be sure that data is not changed;
- Enterprise Vulnerability The database may become indispensable;
- Cost Can be
References: Kroenke, David M., "Database Concepts and Management Systems", Pearson Customer Publishing, 2000 http://ioc.unesco.org/oceanteacher/resourcekit/Module2/Database/DBMS/disadvantages.html http://ioc.unesco.org/oceanteacher/resourcekit/Module2/Database/DBMS/advantages.html