Dubious DBA

[nuct]

Hi,

I have just landed a DBA job which starts on Monday. The problem is to get it I had to tell a small lie about my employment history. Basically I created a fake DBA job. I think sometimes you have to tell white lies to get ahead.
I've got my MCDBA/MCSA so I a have a good understanding of SQL Server 2000, and I know SQL well, but of course things are always different in practice. So what I'm really asking is if someone could give me some hints which can help me to be as convincing as possible because I want to impress them.

The company has 35 ish employees, a call center environment and SQL Server 2000/Access databases. It is a new position.

Here's some specific questions, but if there is anything else please tell me:

1. What does a real life DBA's typical day involve?

2. What projects should I suggest for myself?

3. What is the normal procedure for backups, is it normal for someone to take a backup home with them in case of fire/flood etc.

Any help, however small, is massively appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete.

 

[nigelrivett]

It's all common sense really.

1. Depends on the environment. A dba should police everything that happens on and to the database server. Primary resposibility is to ensure that the server can be rebuilt after a failure to a state that fulfills the business requirement. That means that backups are taken frequently enough (and tested) so that no more than the agreed data will be lost and that the system can be brought back on-line within the agreed timescales.
Also that people who shouldn't have access don't.
Secondary (although managers will see this as more important) is to ensure that the systems runs OK, people that should have access do, application intefaces are correct, maintenance jobs run and are checked, ...

2. Things that provide the above,

3. See above. What happens if the m/c room burns down? You need a sla agreed too cover it and to make sure your procedures meet it.

>> The problem is to get it I had to tell a small lie about my employment history.
Depends on where you are but you are probably open to being sacked, having all pay reclaimed and having to pay compensation.

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Cursors are useful if you don't know sql.
DTS can be used in a similar way.
Beer is not cold and it isn't fizzy.

 

[nuct]

cheers mate, wish me luck.

Simon