January 23, 2007 at 8:23 am
Hello,
I have decided to take the plunge and apply for a DBA job in my organization. That would switch me from being a developer to being a DBA. Although I have done some DBA tasks out of necessity (SQL 2000 mostly but now some SQL 2005 too), sometimes the amount of DBA info needed seems overwhelming.
Does anyone have suggestions for where I should start, first in terms of what to learn most quickly to secure the job and start well, and later, what other training or certification to pick to learn the most important things? Let me say that SQL Server Central has been a great resource for me so far.
I'd welcome advice on anything from (1) FAQs/best practices, (2) books, (3) in class training etc.
And, of course, any pointers about rookie errors to avoid would be greatly appreciated, things that new DBAs tend to think are a good idea at the time but are big mistakes. I want to avoid those. 😮
Thanks for any help!!
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A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html
January 24, 2007 at 11:19 am
Welcome on board. Just a couple links for now.
0. What's a DBA? - An Overview
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones/whatsadbaanoverview.asp
1. SQL Server administration best practices - This link highlights the regular DBA maintenance tasks even it is for SQL7.02000
http://vyaskn.tripod.com/sql_server_administration_best_practices.htm
2. How to be a Good DBA - Strategy and Tactics
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/jyao/howtobeagooddbastrategyandtactics.asp
3. Retention - Keeping Your Job
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones/retentionkeepingyourjob.asp
4. More....Best and Worst practices
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/articleList.asp?categoryid=102
5 have fun - "The DBA Game"
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones/thedbagame.asp
January 24, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Thanks for your reply!
webrunner
-------------------
A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html
January 24, 2007 at 2:28 pm
PS, I am working my way through the links and they are really good.
I jumped right to this link, just to think about "defensive database administration," as it were (like defensive driving):
4. More....Best and Worst practices
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/articleList.asp?categoryid=102
That has some excellent warnings under the Worst Practices. The email from a trigger warning in particular. That is a great example of the things that seem like a great idea but can potentially cause huge problems.
Thanks again,
webrunner
-------------------
A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html
January 24, 2007 at 3:34 pm
If you want more in-depth knowledge of database systems separate from any one product, take a look at the graduate certificate program from the University of Maryland University College in Database Systems Technologies. This will better prepare you for the level of work you can expect to be part of at the enterprise level IMHO.
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/certificates/its_dst.html
The University of Maryland University College (part of the University of Maryland system) specializes in catering to working professionals and you can take all classes online
Just a thought,
Dave
January 24, 2007 at 8:46 pm
SQL Server 2005 Webcasts:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/aa336323.aspx
sqlskills.com is a good site and kimberly is an excellent speaker. -- This is not an ad.
January 25, 2007 at 5:17 am
For the most current stuff you need to bag the job, you should look carefully at the job description. Depending on the company, DBA duties can be partitioned out (Production/Maintenance DBA, Developer DBA) or the DBA might have more job responsibilities than a normal junion DBA (such as data warehousing/mining skills needed).
Base what you're looking for first on that job description. Are you supposed to be backing up & restoring DBs? Study that. Are you supposed to manage accounts & Security? Study that. Are you just doing data fixes? Learn your database's physical model so you know the appropriate things to do.
Believe me, this can make a difference. Just because we're all DBAs here doesn't mean we all have the exact same functions. Some DBAs are so specialized they do DTS/SSIS day in and day out and nothing else. In my job, I have the DBA title, but I'm also doing Data Architect duties, BI development, IT Training, etc. Since our IT department is so small, we all get to do things outside of the actual Salary.com DBA description on a daily basis.
If you want to post a list of the job's duties, we can help you more thoroughly find exactly the resources you need to start with.
February 5, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Wow, nice subject. I've been trying to read the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance to do the same thing; learn to be a SQL dBA. Thanks for all the helpful links.
The next question I have is 'how do I get a SQL dBA job without any SQL experience?' I've been in IT for 10+ years, mainly as a Windows Systems Administrator, but not any hard-core SQL or programming experience.
Thanks.
Steve
February 8, 2007 at 6:27 am
Steve,
Believe it or not, having IT experience period will do much to help you out. My major problem was not having any professional (read "paid with appropriate job title") IT experience.
What helped me out was building a SOHO (small office-home office) network with Eval copies of SQL Server and essentially teaching myself SQL over the course of 1.5 years. While I did that, I created Access databases for myself at my "day job" which weren't at all required, but did help me with my job and taught me database concepts. I also volunteered to help friends or friends-of-friends with minor Access & SQL DB jobs that they didn't have the money to pay consultants to do. You might volunteer to help at your current job with minor DBA tasks. Or you might just be able to with doing a SOHO and getting a MCITP cert since you already have real IT experience.
I advise, though, trying to build a database or a program for someone (volunteer for a charity, etc.) just so you can say you've actually done it, even if you didn't get paid for it. Book learning only takes you so far. You need to do it so you can say you know it and prove you know it.
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