Continuing career with SQL

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Continuing career with SQL

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rukhsar1101

Posted Tuesday, September 18, 2012 7:08 PM

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Hello,
I hav just joint this forum.
I have to ask few things.
I have worked with SQL 2000 and basic 2005.database design.
I've planned to work as a DBA ,but not sure where to start my education for a DBA.
plannign to do some certifications too.
Can anyone help me here?

Post #1361075

Kenneth.Fisher

Posted Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:13 PM

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Personally I like the certification route. Even if you don't actually take the tests (and the 2008 exams will no longer be given after the middle of next year) if you study to the requirements you will get a very nice overview of SQL Server.

I used Microsoft SQL Server 2008 - Implementation and Maintenance Self-Paced Training Kit published by Microsoft press to prep for the 70-432, and I'm currently using the Joes 2 Pros books for the 70-433. It's a 5 book set but there is a lot of information and they do a nice job of teaching the information.

Neither is going to give you everything but they do give you nice grounding in Administration & Development respectively.

Kenneth Fisher
I strive to live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without being questioned about its motives.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/
For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

Link to my Blog Post --> www.SQLStudies.com

Post #1361092

dwain.c

Posted Tuesday, September 18, 2012 9:52 PM

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rukhsar1101 (9/18/2012)

Practice, practice, practice!

Answer questions posted to this forum. Try out new ideas, concepts and techniques on your own.

Book learning can be dry, so you need to spice it up with the occasional challenge.

Most importantly, sleep with a SQL Server under your pillow. You'd be amazed what your unconscious mind can absorb. Smile

No loops! No CURSORs! No RBAR! Hoo-uh!

INDEXing a poor-performing query is like putting sugar on cat food. Yeah, it probably tastes better but are you sure you want to eat it?

Need to UNPIVOT? Why not CROSS APPLY VALUES instead?
Since random numbers are too important to be left to chance, let's generate some!
Are you too recursively challenged?
Splitting strings based on patterns can be fast!

Post #1361126

rukhsar1101

Posted Monday, October 22, 2012 5:43 PM

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Thanks everyone,
Many things are coming in my mind, like I have read on some pages that before giving exams I must have some knowledge of SQL server 2005 but what If I am new in this feild? however I have very basic knowledge of sql server.

Other question is that I am tryn to learn sql server 2008 from some training center, is it good to get training from any training center or should I do it myself .One of the center has given me their outline(I'm writing the topics here) will these topics cover my exam or Not?

And last, is there any criteria of giving exam 70-432 like I must have experience in sql server ?

Outline is here
------------
Installing SQL Server 2008
Planning to Install SQL Server 2008.
Installing SQL Server 2008.
Post-Installation Tasks.
Module 2: Managing SQL Server 2008
Managing SQL Server.
Metadata Retrieval.
Module 3: Database Management
Disk Configuration.
Databases and Filegroups.
Managing Databases.
Data Compression.
Module 4: Security
Overview of Security.
Accessing SQL Server.
Advanced Security.
Module 5: Disaster Recovery
Disaster Recovery Overview.
Disaster Recovery Using Full Database Backups.
Disaster Recovery Using Differential Database Backups.
Disaster Recovery Using Transaction Log Backups.
Disaster Recovery Using File and Filegroup Backups.
Advanced Disaster Recovery.
Module 6: Automation and Maintenance
SQL Server Agent Automation.
Advanced SQL Server Automation.
Database Maintenance.
Module 7: Indexing
Optimizing Data Retrieval.
Types of Indexes.
Creating, Altering, and Deleting Indexes.
Index Maintenance.
Module 8: Monitoring and Performance Tuning
Areas to Monitor.
Monitoring Tools.
Data Collection.
Resource Governor.
Module 9: Auditing SQL Server 2008
Triggers.
Service Broker and Event Notifications.
Policy-Based Management.
Change Data Capture.
Change Tracking.
SQL Server Audit.
Module 10: Upgrading to SQL Server 2008
Pre-Upgrade Tasks.
Upgrade Options.
Post-Upgrade Tasks.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Understand upgrade options.
Identify pre- and post-upgrade tasks
----------------------------
Would appreciate your reponses ,
Thanks
Raza

Post #1375789

Kenneth.Fisher

Posted Monday, October 22, 2012 7:53 PM

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They do recommend that you have a few years of experience but it certainly does not have to be SQL 2005. In fact if I remember correctly they want 2-3 years of 2008 experience not 2005. You can also manage without any experience but it is more difficult. Also please remember that a certification does not replace experience. The skills required are an excellent overview of SQL Server and passing the certification means that you have at least a reasonable knowledge of each (or most) of the subjects. I look at certifications like a 4 year degree. It doesn’t replace experience but it can supplement it.

Personally I think training centers are like anything else. Some are better than others, and you get out of it what you put into it. I will say some people learn better from training centers, and some from books. There are also a large number of free training videos you can find through Pass.

Kenneth Fisher
I strive to live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without being questioned about its motives.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/
For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

Link to my Blog Post --> www.SQLStudies.com

Post #1375803

rukhsar1101

Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2012 1:49 PM

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Ahann..and what abt the outline i wrote above..is.it.covering the certification?

Post #1376225

GilaMonster

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012 1:28 AM

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Have a look at the list of skills measured on the MS site.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server.aspx

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008, MVP
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

Post #1376339

bjcharles

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012 5:55 AM

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What I did to help some people gather some basic experience was to motivate them to run labs on their personal VMs. Practice every detail in your exam outline (if that's the primary route you're looking at) by actually doing stuff. The exam outline seeks to guide you to a well rounded fundermental understanding of SQL Server as a whole. follow that guide, not necesarily to take the exam, but to help you know how to start learning about the whole of SQL server. So, install SQL server yourself (practice the GUI & scripted versions), create tables, run backups, do all High Availability options, etc., follow through on every thing you can, wish for errors so you troubleshoot them and learn, understand how to use "books online" for quick reference, and confront your most challenging topics. You should feel confident (not at expert level) about SQL server after a couple of weeks.

Post #1376420

BrainDonor

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012 7:31 AM

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There are many paths to becoming a DBA and you see several of these routes when reading SSC regularly, so don't worry that your path might not be 'correct'.

Over the past few years, with my current employer I have studied SQL Server as best as I can. This has involved the use of VMs, watching an inordinate number of free webcasts on areas of interest to myself, purchasing a large number of text books and spreading the knowledge gained within the company.
The upshot of this is that I can demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm in SQL server where the lack of qualifications and 'real-world' experience would be a disadvantage.

And the result of this is that next month (after I attend SQLPass - mainly at my expense, yet another example of how keen I am) I start with another company which utilises SQL Server to a far higher degree than my current employer. I will make the move I was planning to - from a Visual Basic Developer and "Accidental DBA" to an 'official' DBA. My new employer knows the gaps in my knowledge, but was more interested in how much I wanted to learn and how willing I am to share what I learn.

The Microsoft exams are a good framework - I used the study materials to at least have knowledge of the areas, so I understood the terminology. You may not be able to actually use some areas (for example, clustering simply isn't possible where I work now, but is essential in my next job), but you should at least know which features exist and some basic information about them.

If you're interested in the subject, willing to learn, willing to share and willing to admit when you don't know or understand then that will put you in an excellent position for future development.

Ask questions and supply all of the relevant information. Answer questions where you believe that you can, and be patient. I'm still horrified at times by the amount that I don't know, but I can look back and see how much I have learned.

BrainDonor
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Post #1376468

rukhsar1101

Posted Saturday, November 10, 2012 5:42 PM

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any book to reffer me?
i am tryn to learn sql server to get a job first later i will go for certificatn
pls reffer me a book which can heelp me givig some knowledge of sql 2008 for a job.
Thanks

Post #1383406

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