Hello Joe,
To protect database resources from unauthorized access, MaxDB uses special operating system users and user groups.
Only administrator or the Members of the SDB Operators group can manage databases without belonging to the Administrators group. They have full access to the database resources listed using operating system commands; other operating system users only have read privileges.
More information about the MaxDB user concept - refer to the Wiki
http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/MaxDB/User+Concept
Regards,
Yashwanth
