DBA techniques

  • Could anyone please tell me the the operating system -windows 2000 commands, tips & techniques a DBA should know -Thanks!!!

  • This question has an incredibly broad answer, more than what can be answered completely in a forum message. Generally, the more you know about the operating system, regardless of RDBMS platform, the better off you'll be. Microsoft expects a DBA to be proficient enough on the OS to pass a certification exam on said OS (Requirement of MCDBA certification).

    Here's a link to the MCDBA info. It should provide a good high level list for you.

    MCDBA Requirements

    My short list I always look for:

    - Does the DBA understand user/group security architecture as used by the Windows operating systems?

    - Does the DBA understand NTFS permissions?

    - Does the DBA understand how services and service accounts work?

    - Does the DBA understand the Network Libraries, specifically TCP/IP, and the OS commands to show the information about network connectivity?

    - Can the DBA read the application, security, and system event logs and be able to troubleshoot common SQL Server problems like the service not starting, SQL Server not responding on TCP/IP, etc.?

    - Does the DBA know how to use performance monitor in order to troubleshoot bottlenecks related to hardware or operating system configuration?

    - Does the DBA understand RAID, how it might be implemented by the OS, and how best to implement it using hardware solutions.

    K. Brian Kelley
    @kbriankelley

  • I totally agree with Brian. I am an MCDBA. I started to feel myself much more comfortable after passing 70-215 Windows 2000 Server exam. At least half of the exam topics help me  to deal with all problems that I face every day. Or to prevent problems for the first place. I am currently reading Windows 2003 Server stuff.

    I would also advise everyone to pass at least one of the front end exams for "them, developers" like VB.NET, ASP.NET or both Understanding what, who and how is connecting to your databases helps DBA a lot that is why the front end exam is a requirement for MCDBA. 

    Yelena

    Regards,Yelena Varsha

  • Just to focus on the Windows 2000 command part of the question, I have found a couple of resources quite valuable.

    http://www.jpsdomain.org/index.html?winshell/winshell.html

    and the book "Windows NT Shell Scripting" by Tim Hill

    The book is one that I always keep close by for "DOS" command syntax.

    Steve

  • That's a great book. Thanks, Steve, for mentioning it. You can't go wrong with that one. I wish a lot more administrators would read that or equivalent material.

    K. Brian Kelley
    @kbriankelley

  • Thank you so much guys....I really appreciate your response

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