Duties of a DBA

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Duties of a DBA

sunny.tjk

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March 6, 2013 at 12:51 pm

#274957

Could someone please brief me about the daily duties of a production support SQL Server DBA?

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homebrew01 SSC Guru Points: 55539 More actions · Answer 1

Make sure everything is working. If not, figure out why & fix it. And if you have time, improve things that are working, but take too long.

That's pretty much my job description.

Bill (DBAOnTheGo) Hall of Fame Points: 3841 More actions · Answer 2

difficult question. I guess... it depends?

Some manage well more than just the database.

Here, we fix anything that is down, broken or acting up. Work on performance tuning when we have time or if a need arises. Build up new systems and help address coding issues. Maintain SA functions and repair any other issues that show up short of the actual OS or server (we still have SA's for this as well). Work oncall issues 24X7. Support any version or option that is installed with SQL. Attend meetings and conference calls to help with the design of new systems. Keep customers happy. Drink coffee and eat pringles. I'm sure there's much more that's being missed.

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Evil Kraig F SSC Guru Points: 100851 More actions · Answer 3

This is an article of mine, but it may help you a bit:

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Career/71608/

- Craig Farrell

Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]
Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003863 More actions · Answer 4

sunny.tjk (3/6/2013)
Could someone please brief me about the daily duties of a production support SQL Server DBA?

There are dozens and dozens of articles on the subject. Please see my assistant DBA for the best help in this area. His name is "GOOGLE" and he actually has his own website.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

MyDoggieJessie SSC-Forever Points: 44486 More actions · Answer 5

@ Jeff 😀

I believe you meant this - to the OP, this link will help greatly!

______________________________________________________________________________Never argue with an idiot; Theyll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience

Bhuvnesh SSC Guru Points: 59351 More actions · Answer 6

see this http://www.johnsansom.com/the-database-administrators-primary-responsibility/

-------Bhuvnesh----------
I work only to learn Sql Server...though my company pays me for getting their stuff done;-)

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398690 More actions · Answer 7

That's an extremely open-ended question. The problem is, the daily duties vary from one organization to the next. Further, they vary from one group within the organization to the next. Even further, they vary between individuals within the group within the organization. It has to do with levels of knowledge, areas of expertise, and the general needs of the company you're working for.

Best thing you can do, track down three books, SQL Rock Star by Tom LaRock, Database Administration by Craig Mullins, and How to be an Exceptional DBA by Brad McGeehee.

Read all three. The combination of them will absolutely outline what you need to know.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

RP_DBA SSCertifiable Points: 5116 More actions · Answer 8

Jeff Moden (3/6/2013)

sunny.tjk (3/6/2013)
Please see my assistant DBA...His name is "GOOGLE"

I like that, think I'm going to start using it.

In addition to the recommendations above, I'd say documentation is pretty important. Nothing like having a paper trail when cornered by angry managers/users.

_____________________________________________________________________
- Nate

@nate_hughes