Starting a DBA position

[R7Dave]

Hello

Could anyone recomend some good links, books, videos, etc for someone starting as a DBA in 2 weeks?

My latest experience is roughly 80% writing T-SQL, 20% developing applications. I am least experienced with the network side.

I own the MS Admin pocket consultants for 2000, 2005, 2008 and have been reading random articles and viewing videos from

http://techrepublic.com.com/,

Books Online, & YouTube.

If anyone could reply with what helped them get established or their own tips, I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Dave

 

[SQLBill]

I took some week long training courses, which isn't an option for you. I'm not sure you can learn to be a DBA in two weeks. You have your work cut out for you.

Just the basics means knowing the different recovery modes and determining which is right for each of your databases. Then based on that, creating the appropriate backup plan(s). You need to know how to create and maintain logins to control access to the server and databases. Create jobs so they run at times that don't affect production. Change control...having separate development and production servers/databases. You need to know what blocking/locks/deadlocks are, what causes them, and how to resolve them. You need to know how to tune scripts so they have low impact on the server. You have to be able to properly create new SQL Server installs, databases and other objects. Run upgrades (apply new service packs). I can go on, but those are just some of the things you need to learn.

Get one of the Microsoft SQL Server Administration books and that will help out. It'll also be a great reference when you have problems. Which version will you be DBA'ing? They all require some different learning - you not only have SS2000, SS2005, and SS2008, but you might be supporting the Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition,.....

-SQLBill

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[R7Dave]

Thanks Bill it is mostly 2005 (assuming standard version) a couple of 2000 & 2008.

I had SQL training in the past for 2000 & 2005 but it has been 3 years and my hands on experience was with 2000 Standard.

As far as a book, I should have something better than the Admin pocket consultants? Or are you saying to just check Amazon for "Microsoft SQL Server Administration" and use my best judgement?

So far...

Recovery modes
Backup plans
Logins
Job scheduling
Deadlocks
Tuning scripts/impact on server
SQL Server installs
Database/Object creation
Running upgrades

...any other tips are appreciated

Thanks for your help

Dave

 

[gmmastros]

Books are good, but I prefer reading blogs. For example, google search on "DBA Checklist", and you will find lots of good articles regarding things that should be done on a daily basis as well as checklists for installing SQL Server, etc...

There is a rather lengthy list of SQL Server Admin blogs here:

http://blogs.lessthandot.com/index.php/DataMgmt/c/DBAdmin/MSSQLServerAdmin/

I would also recommend that you download SQLCop. Why? Because I wrote this application. SQLCop is free and can be used to analyze databases for best practices. There are approximately 50 things SQLCop checks for, but there's about 1 million things you should be checking, so don't rely on this tool alone. SQLCop can be downloaded here:

http://sqlcop.lessthandot.com/

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[R7Dave]

Thanks George - I downloaded SQLCop and checked it out - very cool - its neat how the blogs link up to my current database. Thanks for your help

 

[MasterRacker]

Tons of good info here:

http://www.simple-talk.com/sql/

and here:

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/

Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]