Answers to these questions

  • Hi,

    I have been studying SQL Server DBA interview questions from the net and find these questions in wich I am unclear of the solutions :-

    1) If a database goes down for whatever reason (assume data file is corrupt) and the database cannot be brought back online (i.e. you are in a recovery situation), what must be done first to ensure you can retrieve the latest data modifications assuming the database is set to the FULL recovery model?

    ans :- meanwhile connect to the log shipping server.

    2) What can you do to guarantee any backup is valid?

    ans :- restore verifyonly from backup

    3) What special type of page within SQL Server that is responsible for tracking (via a simple bitmap) extents that have been modified since the last "BACKUP DATABASE" statement?

    I had more questions to ask ,wenever i recall, i will again post here only.

    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Sushant

    Regards
    Sushant Kumar
    MCTS,MCP

  • Tried google? I know the answers to at least 2 of those can be easily found.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • GilaMonster (5/25/2012)


    Tried google? I know the answers to at least 2 of those can be easily found.

    i need to know 1st and 3rd answer

    Regards,

    Skybvi

    Regards
    Sushant Kumar
    MCTS,MCP

  • All three of the answers to them can be found on google.

    Copy your questions, place them into google and you will get the answer. I have just copied one and all three answers are on the same page.

  • anthony.green (5/30/2012)


    All three of the answers to them can be found on google.

    Copy your questions, place them into google and you will get the answer. I have just copied one and all three answers are on the same page.

    true dat!

  • anthony.green (5/30/2012)


    All three of the answers to them can be found on google.

    Copy your questions, place them into google and you will get the answer. I have just copied one and all three answers are on the same page.

    I dont know whcih search engine u are using or which server...BUT i can get only questions , but no answers...

    Couldn't u just provide me the link.

    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Skybvi

    Regards
    Sushant Kumar
    MCTS,MCP

  • https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+page+tracks+extents+modified+since+last+full+backup

    First, second, third and fourth hits.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=What+needs+to+be+done+to+recover+a+database+up+to+point+of+failure

    First, second, third, fourth and fifth hits.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Reading comprehension is a big part of being DBA.

    This is the very first link I hit on Google.

    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/chadboyd/archive/2007/07/17/so-you-think-you-know-sql-administration-part-i.aspx

  • Thanks a lot

    Regards.

    Skybvi

    Regards
    Sushant Kumar
    MCTS,MCP

  • Charles Hearn (5/30/2012)


    Reading comprehension is a big part of being DBA.

    This is the very first link I hit on Google.

    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/chadboyd/archive/2007/07/17/so-you-think-you-know-sql-administration-part-i.aspx

    Thanks a lot

    Regards.

    Skybvi

    Regards
    Sushant Kumar
    MCTS,MCP

  • SKYBVI (5/25/2012)


    Hi,

    I have been studying SQL Server DBA interview questions from the net and find these questions in wich I am unclear of the solutions :-

    1) If a database goes down for whatever reason (assume data file is corrupt) and the database cannot be brought back online (i.e. you are in a recovery situation), what must be done first to ensure you can retrieve the latest data modifications assuming the database is set to the FULL recovery model?

    ans :- meanwhile connect to the log shipping server.

    2) What can you do to guarantee any backup is valid?

    ans :- restore verifyonly from backup

    Just looking at these two questions, and the answers you've posted, I would be very very careful about just accepting these answers blindly. Question one makes particular assumptions about a business's environment setup and question two... Wow. I can count three ways (right now) that that assumption can get a person fired.

    If you want to interview for a DBA position, I suggest buying a developer copy and playing with it until you break several things. Because I would not hire someone who answered those questions with those answers.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Brandie Tarvin (5/30/2012)


    If you want to interview for a DBA position, I suggest buying a developer copy and playing with it until you break several things. Because I would not hire someone who answered those questions with those answers.

    Me neither...

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Brandie Tarvin (5/30/2012)


    SKYBVI (5/25/2012)


    Hi,

    I have been studying SQL Server DBA interview questions from the net and find these questions in wich I am unclear of the solutions :-

    1) If a database goes down for whatever reason (assume data file is corrupt) and the database cannot be brought back online (i.e. you are in a recovery situation), what must be done first to ensure you can retrieve the latest data modifications assuming the database is set to the FULL recovery model?

    ans :- meanwhile connect to the log shipping server.

    2) What can you do to guarantee any backup is valid?

    ans :- restore verifyonly from backup

    Just looking at these two questions, and the answers you've posted, I would be very very careful about just accepting these answers blindly. Question one makes particular assumptions about a business's environment setup and question two... Wow. I can count three ways (right now) that that assumption can get a person fired.

    If you want to interview for a DBA position, I suggest buying a developer copy and playing with it until you break several things. Because I would not hire someone who answered those questions with those answers.

    Then why there are so many links for SQL Server DBA interview questions , if ONLY practical test was the sole judgement/hiring criteria ??

    Regards,

    Skybvi

    Regards
    Sushant Kumar
    MCTS,MCP

  • SKYBVI (5/30/2012)


    Then why there are so many links for SQL Server DBA interview questions

    Because there are lots and lots of people who want to cheat their way to a job they can't do, lots of people willing to help them and unfortunately lots of interviewers who can't tell the difference

    Like with exam prep guides, they're fine for revising, seeing what you don't know, etc, but they need to be backed by practical experience.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • And sometimes, it depends...

    For #1 (where is are the latest database changes recorded and what would you do to preserve that particular piece of disk?)

    For #2, it depends. The answer you gave will verify that your backup matches your database, but if your database is corrupted, you might just be backing up corruption. See Grant Fritchey's excellent backup article on this site. Hint (your backups are only as good as your restores).

    For #3 I've run out of clever hints and must fall back on the general consensus that Google is your friend (or even a search on SSC).

    And generally, it's a better idea to learn how to search for these answers yourself than have people give them to you. I'm willing to bet that you'll hit one of these interesting dilemas some night when most of the Illuminatti are asleep (well maybe not Gail), and you'll be in a complete mess without the ability to hide from the red glowing eyes of your Boss (who thought he was hiring an experienced DBA).

    Look up the answers, post what you think they are, and maybe someone will jump in and correct you if you're off base.


    And then again, I might be wrong ...
    David Webb

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