InstantForum.NET v2.9.0SQLServerCentralhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/notifications@sqlservercentral.comFri, 24 May 2013 09:38:19 GMT20http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxI was recently asked to provide questions to be asked for a production DBA. There are no good or bad answers, the person must have encountered most of the scenario’s with understanding on how things work & very quick to react on a highly stressful environment. Below are the questions I provided:Hope it helpsDatabase Back ups: ** What are the different types of database backups and specify the scenario that you have used in your experience?High Availability: ** What are the high availability methods ?.Specify your experience and set up required for SQL Server in a clustered environmentDR : ** Specify your DR strategy experience and details for SQL server. ** Specify the steps to take when a database is corrupted (or) server is down (or) harddrive is corrupted.Performance Tuning : ** All of a sudden a query is running slowly and there are no changes made to application/network or server environment. Based on your experience, specify the steps to debug the issue.Maintenance Plan: ** Specify based on your experience what maintenance plans are required for a typical database.Replication: ** Specify your experience in Transaction replication?. Provide details on issues encountered and how to resolve it.Data Dump: ** How do you migrate data from Prod to QA to Dev environment?Design: ** How do you carve/select storage for each of the files below: TempDB Data file Log file backup file ** How do you determine the size of a database based on your experience?Security: ** Have you worked with secure data?. If so, how do you protect/encrypt the data?Different types : ** Have you worked in an OLTP and Data warehouse DB’s?. if so, how is the set up different for each typeFri, 08 Feb 2013 13:40:22 GMTTheAccidentalDBAhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]tua022012 (9/10/2012)[/b][hr]Thanks for your link. It's useful for our community.Same material can be found at: [url=http://interviewquestionsandanswers.biz/production-executive-interview-questions-and-answers/]Production executive interview questions[/url]I hope it's useful for you and you like it. Please continue sharing more information at this topic.Best rgs![/quote]Wow. I love the sockpuppet replies to that page.Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:27:29 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (5/14/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Jeff Moden (5/14/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (5/14/2012)[/b][hr]What is the wing span of an unladen swallow?[/quote]It depends. What is the age and current speed of the swallow?[/quote]I don't know.[i]<Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh>[/i][/quote]Then the likely answer is "enough to sufficiently suffoncify the swallow". :-PMon, 14 May 2012 04:48:19 GMTJeff Modenhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]Jeff Moden (5/14/2012)[/b][hr][quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (5/14/2012)[/b][hr]What is the wing span of an unladen swallow?[/quote]It depends. What is the age and current speed of the swallow?[/quote]I don't know.[i]<Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh>[/i]Mon, 14 May 2012 04:46:05 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (5/14/2012)[/b][hr]What is the wing span of an unladen swallow?[/quote]It depends. What is the age and current speed of the swallow?Mon, 14 May 2012 04:25:15 GMTJeff Modenhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxWhat is the wing span of an unladen swallow?Mon, 14 May 2012 04:12:10 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHiYou can find this info by using search box in the top of website with some keywords related before posting questions.If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: [url=http://interviewquestionsandanswers.biz/production-executive-interview-questions-and-answers/]Production executive interview questions[/url]Best regards.Mon, 14 May 2012 00:59:04 GMTthu062012http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]fvcdata (2/13/2012)[/b][hr]Hi guys you will get great resources for [url=http://www.sql-server-business-intelligence.com/sql-server/interview-questions-and-answers/sql-server-interview-questions-and-answers-pdf-download]sql server Interview questions and answers[/url], pls follow link: http://www.sql-server-business-intelligence.com/sql-server/interview-questions-and-answers/sql-server-interview-questions-and-answers-pdf-download[/quote]The date calculations are a bit bulbous. I haven't checked the long-hand answers for other things and probably won't. As with all such sites I say, "Caveate Emptor". ;-)Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:57:31 GMTJeff Modenhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi guys you will get great resources for [url=http://www.sql-server-business-intelligence.com/sql-server/interview-questions-and-answers/sql-server-interview-questions-and-answers-pdf-download]sql server Interview questions and answers[/url], pls follow link: http://www.sql-server-business-intelligence.com/sql-server/interview-questions-and-answers/sql-server-interview-questions-and-answers-pdf-downloadMon, 13 Feb 2012 14:17:32 GMTfvcdatahttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxIf relevent to the topic of the thread, does it matter if it is a new thread or a year old thread?Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:18:02 GMTLynn Pettishttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]GilaMonster (10/8/2010)[/b][hr]Please note, resurrected year-old thread.[/quote]Ooops, timewarp malfunction?Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:43:05 GMTAlvin Ramardhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxPlease note, resurrected year-old thread.Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:37:08 GMTGilaMonsterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]Brandie Tarvin (9/9/2009)[/b][hr]Gail,You're hired! Come on over to Florida and we'll discuss your exhorbitant salary that is totally off the scale compared to the DBAs we currently have now who foolishly assumed we wanted complicated answers to the interview.@=)[/quote]Not too fast Brandie. Gail left out something important.[quote][quote]and how you would treat them different to small databases[/quote]Give them more drive space and ignore them. SQL manages itself after all. (sic)[/quote]She forgot the part about setting the datafile autogrowth to 25% instead of the default 10%:-)Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:32:07 GMTAlvin Ramardhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxThis is not a new question . He actually replied to original post question which is "Common questions asked in SQL Server DBA..."Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:42:52 GMTSQL Guy 1http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxNew questions in a new thread please, and be specific if possibleFri, 10 Sep 2010 09:05:46 GMTGilaMonsterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHow many dba’s and servers are using in organizationFri, 10 Sep 2010 08:53:54 GMTsrinathreddy.dbahttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxGail,You're hired! Come on over to Florida and we'll discuss your exhorbitant salary that is totally off the scale compared to the DBAs we currently have now who foolishly assumed we wanted complicated answers to the interview.@=)Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:25:12 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxI'm in a silly mood right now, so...[quote][b]Silverfox (9/8/2009)[/b][hr]how do you clone a report server[/quote]Start with a bounty hunter and a water-covered planet.[quote]when do you use a cursor[/quote]As seldom as possible[quote]tell me about large databases[/quote] They're big[quote]and how you would treat them different to small databases[/quote]Give them more drive space and ignore them. SQL manages itself after all. (sic)[quote]The user has reported the server is slow, how do you troubleshoot the problem.[/quote]Ignore them. If it's a serious problem, they'll call back[quote]High availability which is better clustering or mirroring and why[/quote]Yes.[quote]how does pier to pier replication work[/quote]Recruit some strong deck hands and get them to carry the stuff.Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:58:49 GMTGilaMonsterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxI liked the questions that Grant linked to in his 1st page post, but they are pretty basic.IMHO it depends purely on the role. Some of the questions I have had, made me speechless at the time, you can never know everything.basic stuff likewhat is the difference between a clustered index and a unique indexname all the types of constraintsname all the database rolesto stuff likehow do you clone a report serverwhen do you use a cursortell me about large databases and how you would treat them different to small databasesThe user has reported the server is slow, how do you troubleshoot the problem.High availability which is better clustering or mirroring and whytell me briefly how you set up clustering and which services are not cluster awarehow do you service pack a cluster, explain for both active active and active passivehow does pier to pier replication workthe list goes on and these are questions that I have been asked before.Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:41:08 GMTSilverfoxhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]abbi1680 (8/18/2009)[/b][hr]Hi,Could you please email me the screening sql server dba questions.[/quote]Apparently you haven't been reading this topic closely enough. There's no list. Different companies ask different questions. It's not like a cert exam where you can study for it and pass based on memorized answers.[quote]I am a sql dba and would be looking out for a job.[/quote]Great, then you don't need a list. Presumably you know your job well enough to answer any question put to you or to be honest enough when you don't know a question. Remember, the interviews are as much about soft skills as they are about you knowing SQL Server.If you're really concerned, check out your local SQL Server Users Group and see if you can find a mentor to do mock interviews with you. Or ask your local contracting firm if they offer mock interview courses. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:05:22 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxAbbi: Not a good idea to post your e-mail address openly on web pages. Spammers use bots to scan for that kind of thing and you'll get into their lists that way.I recommend editing the post and removing the e-mail address from it, or at least obscuring it so a bot can't read it.Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:58:47 GMTGSquaredhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi,Could you please email me the screening sql server dba questions.email : abbi1680@gmail.comI am a sql dba and would be looking out for a job.Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:35:42 GMTabbi1680http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxCongrats Akash, i have been reading the entire post and found some real good debates. By the way where is your job location in India?Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:20 GMTAmolNaikhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]bryan van ritter (6/24/2009)[/b][hr]i don't think you understand it. but who am i to say. so if you want credit for it so be it here is your credit man. great job :-D now lets go on with our job and stop this immature discussion. maybe another time with a cup of coffee when you visit the netherlands. cheer up man and don't get irritated. :-D[/quote]SSC is an open forum (within reason), and we often digress into other areas. Feel free to disagree, post your own opinions, and be prepared to back them up. Or just ignore it and go your own way.For you to call people immature and to try to tell us to shutdown the discussion is not keeping within the spirit of this site.We can and will discuss anything we want on any thread we want anytime we want. If this thread turns into a violent disagreement on data modeling or forum etiquette instead of the original topic, so be it; it won’t be the first or last time.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:47:47 GMTMichael Valentine Joneshttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxWelcome to the SSC Community. We frequently go off on tangents from the original question, but usually those tangents are related in some way with the topic (unless it is about sports/martial arts/pork chops/etc). There is much to be learned from these discussions if you pay attention.I found nothing in this thread that was immature or didn't provide some knowledge to someone who may read this thread.I also found no one, with perhaps one exception, looking for any credit for anything on this site.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:54:32 GMTLynn Pettishttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi Akash,Congratulations man. If you visit the Netherlands one time come over and i'll buy you a cup of coffee. Good luck in practicing your new job as a DBA.best regards,BryanWed, 24 Jun 2009 09:25:21 GMTbryan van ritterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxi don't think you understand it. but who am i to say. so if you want credit for it so be it here is your credit man. great job :-D now lets go on with our job and stop this immature discussion. maybe another time with a cup of coffee when you visit the netherlands. cheer up man and don't get irritated. :-DWed, 24 Jun 2009 09:21:10 GMTbryan van ritterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxThanks a lot guys for all your support and moral busters.:-)I have got the job.:-)Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:19:51 GMTakash.suryanhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]bryan van ritter (6/24/2009)[/b][hr]well what i have done so far... i would suggest you read his final post. and furthermore if you read my previous answers on this post, you can see that i have given him the most important thing a person can give another "MOREL SUPPORT". i rest my case. i think that we should end this discussion and learn from this quest. i don't say i really disagree with all the answers given, but another aproach on this case would have been much better.[/quote]First of all, we've all be giving him moral support. Secondly, You said in another post that if a person has issues with what's on a thread, not to read the thread.I honestly don't know what your trama is. You've hardly contributed to this thread and after your first post, you seem to want to attack everyone on the thread for talking about stuff that comes up in interviews. So, I re-iterate your own advice back to you. If you have issues, stop reading the thread. And please stop acting as if you're the only person who's done anything. Lots of other posters (and I'm not talking about myself) spent a lot of time trying to help the OP out and they deserve a lot of credit for that time.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:06:27 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]bryan van ritter (6/24/2009)[/b][hr]well what i have done so far... i would suggest you read his final post. and furthermore if you read my previous answers on this post, you can see that i have given him the most important thing a person can give another "MOREL SUPPORT". i rest my case. i think that we should end this discussion and learn from this quest. i don't say i really disagree with all the answers given, but another aproach on this case would have been much better.still i find this site very usefull and have learned quite a lot so far.best regards,Bryan van Ritter[/quote]Thanks for stopping by to criticize everyone, even though you didn't manage contribute any answers to his questions.I’m sure your moral support went a long ways towards helping him get the job.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:04:19 GMTMichael Valentine Joneshttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi Akash,nice to hear you've pulled through. does this also mean you've got the job or are you still waiting for an answer? well congratulations.best regards,Bryan van RitterWed, 24 Jun 2009 08:50:08 GMTbryan van ritterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxwell what i have done so far... i would suggest you read his final post. and furthermore if you read my previous answers on this post, you can see that i have given him the most important thing a person can give another "MOREL SUPPORT". i rest my case. i think that we should end this discussion and learn from this quest. i don't say i really disagree with all the answers given, but another aproach on this case would have been much better.still i find this site very usefull and have learned quite a lot so far.best regards,Bryan van RitterWed, 24 Jun 2009 08:48:42 GMTbryan van ritterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxGlad your interview went well.Savvy interviewers tend to lurk in these types of forums, monitoring what types of questions people ask, then shake up their own interviews by asking things you don't expect. There's just too many questions interviewers can use that a forum thread can't cover. In the end, you pass the interview or not on your own knowledge and skill anyway.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:30:41 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi guys,Relax I had my interview on Saturday, and I cleared it. Thanks all of you for your questions, as these questions doen't help me much becuase i have to give the practical exposure also.Special Thanks to bryan van ritter :-), for supporting me.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:06:26 GMTakash.suryanhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxNever mind... wrong post. ;-)Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:57:34 GMTJeff Modenhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]bryan van ritter (6/23/2009)[/b][hr]Hi guys,what is wrong with us seriuous dba's. the guy just asked some questions about a possible interview he is going to undertake and you all are having discussions about databases and so on. you've got to give him some credit for even trying to get some info from pro's (i hope you all are)!!!!! and than some guy is telling him that he would contact the admin to remove this post. are you even from this planet. if you don't like this post than don't read it and don't even answer it. grow up..... you know i think everybody deserves a change in his live whether you are pikking up garbage or baking bread. so what let him. it is just good in these times to help each other. and don't brag with your certificates and so on. because i don't really believe in them you know. the best way to be a good dba is to learn it on the job. thats how i became a dba. so akshan don't let anyone fool you and just if you believe in yourselve you can do anything you want, that is at least what i tell my kids. having a dba approved diploma doesn't mean you understand your job. i have many examples of guys who got all of their exams and still don't know what the hell they are talking about when it comes to databases. i don't say that i am that good, but on the job experience for over 10 years now as an oracle dba for 8 years and sql dba for 2 years i think i've been around. so let us just stop this silly conversation and help each other on this great forum.bryannormalizing a database begins with normalizing yourselve. once you've learned to get your stuff in order you will also do this to a database.[/quote]We have no problem helping people improve their knowledge and abilities regarding SQL Server and all its components. We won't. howver, give someone a bunch of questions and answers to memorize in the hopes it will get them a job which they may not actually be qualified. Is that fair to others who may be qualified and don't get the job, or for the employer if it turns out they have to terminate the individual and hire someone else for the position? Giving answers like that does NO ONE any good and is, IMHO, unethical. Of course, if you are willing to compromise yours, please provide the OP with all the information you want, just do it off-line, not on this site. As professionals we have a duty not only to our employers and our peers, but to the community as a whole. We has DBA's are held in positions of extreme trust, and if we can compromise our values on this one issue, where else are we willing to compromise?I am the first to stand here and say ask questions to help clarify your understanding. Ask questions to help solve a problem or issue. But I will also stand here and ask you to show me what have you done so far in this regard.Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:37:31 GMTLynn Pettishttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]bryan van ritter (6/23/2009)[/b][hr]and than some guy is telling him that he would contact the admin to remove this post. are you even from this planet.[/quote]Um, hello? I didn't ask the admin to remove the post. I asked him to move it to a more appropriate forum. And if you look up at the top, it is now moved into said appropriate forum.Relax a little. This is what happens in these threads. Things come up and we discuss. Sometimes it's tangental and sometimes it is not.EDIT: We're DBAs. We like to classify & normalize. This thread didn't belong in the Administering Forum. It belongs under Careers. And here it now sits. @=)Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:07:54 GMTBrandie Tarvinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi akash,you know i would like to help you finding a job, but i believe that you have got it in you to find your own job in a surrounding that suites you. we are also facing the problems with the global crisis and i don't think now is the time to come to the netherlands. you can not just do this like that. you've really got to think things true you know. don't worry to much about your interview. if you are confident about yourselve it will all be well. there are a lot of sites where they are searching for IT guys. let me know how your interview went. so what if you don't know an answer. maybe the guys who are asking those questions don't know the answers themselve and just want to get some info if you want to talk cinical. oke as they say in america i think (not litterary) break a leg. good luckBryanTue, 23 Jun 2009 12:01:49 GMTbryan van ritterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspxHi guys,what is wrong with us seriuous dba's. the guy just asked some questions about a possible interview he is going to undertake and you all are having discussions about databases and so on. you've got to give him some credit for even trying to get some info from pro's (i hope you all are)!!!!! and than some guy is telling him that he would contact the admin to remove this post. are you even from this planet. if you don't like this post than don't read it and don't even answer it. grow up..... you know i think everybody deserves a change in his live whether you are pikking up garbage or baking bread. so what let him. it is just good in these times to help each other. and don't brag with your certificates and so on. because i don't really believe in them you know. the best way to be a good dba is to learn it on the job. thats how i became a dba. so akshan don't let anyone fool you and just if you believe in yourselve you can do anything you want, that is at least what i tell my kids. having a dba approved diploma doesn't mean you understand your job. i have many examples of guys who got all of their exams and still don't know what the hell they are talking about when it comes to databases. i don't say that i am that good, but on the job experience for over 10 years now as an oracle dba for 8 years and sql dba for 2 years i think i've been around. so let us just stop this silly conversation and help each other on this great forum.bryannormalizing a database begins with normalizing yourselve. once you've learned to get your stuff in order you will also do this to a database.Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:54:28 GMTbryan van ritterhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic737194-334-1.aspx[quote][b]GilaMonster (6/23/2009)[/b][hr][quote]...As to whether a DBA needs to know normalisation or not depends on their job. If all they're doing is backups, watching space and monitoring jobs, then no they don't need to know normalisation. If, however, they're involved in any way in designing databases or changes to databases then they absolutely have to know at least the basic principals or they're going to create an almighty mess sooner or later.[/quote]At some point, once that backup or consistency check starts to really get long, a cursory glance at the database's design may be necessary. For example, if a query is taking too long, sometimes the DBA is the only one who has the authority to execute a server side trace and help analyze what's happening. Ultimately, it helps if you have a good working relationship with the developer (and not have to remind them once again why a clustered index covering ten columns, one of which is filled with newid(), is not a good idea).A mechanic can only do so much tinkering with an engine, but if all they have to deal with is a Yugo (remember those?), there's a limit to what he or she can do. At some point, you have to redesign the car. Same for a DBA. At some point, you would like to see the database get past 1NF.Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:40:50 GMTGabyYYZ