SQLServerCentral.com Articles tagged DBA

What Counts for a DBA: Amnesia

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:00:00 UT

Louis Davidson explains why DBAs often need a healthy dose of selective, enforced amnesia about the pain of previous failures.

Never update systems tables directly - a study in Agent job scheduling

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 06:00:00 UT

It is often recommended that system tables should not be updated directly. Presenting a case in point built around nightly job configuration in order to demonstrate the possible issues with updating system tables directly.

The Ego, the Id and the DBA

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 06:00:00 UT

In most organizations, the DBA team is seriously outnumbered by headstrong developers and clock driven managers, and "great" DBAs will often be outnumbered by...well...the not so great. In order to be heard in this environment, a DBA will not only need to be very skilled, but will also need a healthy dose of ego.

It's the Journey...

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:00:00 UT

The story of how Shawn McGehee's journey to becoming a DBA started is just one among many thousands, so let's hear yours too!

Guide To MCITP: SQL Server 2008 Administration

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:00:00 UT

Find out what you need to learn for the SQL Server 2008 Administration certification exams.

Part 1: The Database Administrator's Primary Responsibility

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:00:00 UT

SQL Server Essentials Part 1: A look at the key responsibility of a DBA and why it is so vital.

End of October Free Training from PASS Virtual Chapters

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:00:00 UT

This wraps up the last of the free training the PASS Virtual Chapters are providing in October.

12 essential tools for database professionals
The SQL Developer Bundle contains 12 tools designed with the SQL Server developer and DBA in mind. Try it now.

Late September Free Training from PASS VCs

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:00:00 UT

The DBA and Virtualization Virtual Chapters hope that last weeks 24 Hours of PASS got you in the mood for more free training. Here's what they have on tap for you this week:

The Sixty-Second Guide to becoming a SQL Server DBA

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 UT

So you want to be a DBA, but don't know where to start learning what you need to know? R. Barry Young brings you a sixty second guide for how to get moving.

Interview with the Scary DBA – Grant Fritchey

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:21:32 UT

With Halloween so near, we thought it would be a good time to find out more about the so-called Scary DBA, Grant Fritchey, who's been working in IT for 20 years now. He writes for SQL Server Central, Simple-Talk and SQL Server Standard, and was awarded MVP status earlier this year. We sent Richard Morris to meet him.

The DBA Dilemma: How Many DBAs Does It Take to Manage an Infrastructure?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:00 UT

Today we have a guest editorial from Rodney Landrum. Rodney and his team of DBAs manage 110 active servers, throughout a regionally dispersed organization. How many DBAs would you expect to be on Rodney's team...?

PowerShell 101 for the DBA – Installing PowerShell

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:00:00 UT

Many DBAs have heard about the new scripting technology from Microsoft, but have yet to really dive right in. You...

Part 1: The Database Administrator's Primary Responsibility

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:00:00 UT

SQL Server Essentials Part 1: A look at the key responsibility of a DBA and why it is so vital.

The DBA as Detective: Troubleshooting Locking and Blocking

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:00:00 UT

Rodney Landrum describes in his own unique style how he, as a working DBA, goes about troubleshooting problem queries, and investigating various types of locking and blocking problems. In the process, he passes on valuable tips learned from practical, and sometimes stressful, experience.

Database source control in just 5 minutes
It takes just 5 minutes to connect your SQL databases to source control. Got 5 minutes to spare? Get started now.

DBA: Mentor vs. Protector

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:00:00 UT

To mentor or to protect data, what is the role of the DBA? A guest editorial from Matt Simmons.

What's Your Ideal DBA Job?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:00:00 UT

Brad engages in a little Summer daydreaming, and wonders what the Ideal DBA job would look like...

The Disappearing DBA

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:00:00 UT

During a "difficult period", a developer often sinks from view. When things are going well, suddenly they are the gunslinger, the hotshot. The DBA often looks on wistfully. For him, the "fame trajectory" seems to work in reverse.

Do You Verify Your Database Backups?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:00:00 UT

Backup verification is a vital part of a well-designed database maintenance plan and yet some DBAs neglect to do it. Brad McGehee ownders why.