March 30, 2017 at 9:56 am
Just hired for a DBA position with no experience. The company is going to send me to a SQL class to get me started, but not sure what the best class to take is.
I have been hired to create a database that pulls data from existing databases automatically. I need to understand how to create the database and jobs to automatically pull this information. We are using MSSQL 2008. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks jmobley
March 30, 2017 at 10:27 am
1) Get a good book on SQL Server Administration. I've found that those including Brian Knight or Kalen Delaney are reliable. If you read it and study it, the book will be vastly more helpful over the long term than any class(es).
2) If SSIS is used/available in your shop,and you're not familiar with it, learn it. A book is good, but in this case some good existing packages should be enough to get you started there.
3) Will you be responsible for backup and/or recovery? If so, familiarize yourself with the current backup / disk ( / tape?) infrastructure at your site.
SQL DBA,SQL Server MVP(07, 08, 09) A socialist is someone who will give you the shirt off *someone else's* back.
March 30, 2017 at 11:26 am
Thank you for the input. I will look into those authors. Also the SSIS sounds interesting, I'll consult Google U for more info on it, thank you. Since the company is offering to send me to class I'd hate to turn it down. Any suggestions on a good 5 day crash course?
March 30, 2017 at 11:34 am
I also recommend the book method (my books will step you through how to perform various topics and you can look them up on amazon). I also recommend getting a developer edition of SQL Server.
If you really must spend time in training, then training by Kalen is good. You can also go to a SQLSkills Immersion training. You can also hire my firm to do the training.
I do not recommend any of the boot camp types of training venues.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
March 30, 2017 at 11:40 am
I'll do some checks for admin classes for you also. But go ahead and get the book first. You'll get more out of a good class that way, as you'll be far better prepared going in. And if it's the typical paint-by-numbers class of "do step1, then step2, then ..." then it won't be useful in that specific class, but you'll still know far more than you did when you started anyway.
SQL DBA,SQL Server MVP(07, 08, 09) A socialist is someone who will give you the shirt off *someone else's* back.
March 30, 2017 at 11:44 am
Thank you, I'll look for the books on Amazon later tonight.
March 30, 2017 at 12:44 pm
james.mobley - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:56 AMJust hired for a DBA position with no experience............ I have been hired to create a database that pulls data from existing databases automatically.
is this an intern position?
________________________________________________________________
you can lead a user to data....but you cannot make them think
and remember....every day is a school day
March 31, 2017 at 2:11 am
Piling on with the suggestion on books. I helped co-author a book on basic SQL Server administration. There is a 2008 version, but the 2012 version will serve you well. I'd get that since your organization will likely be moving off of 2008 soon-ish anyway (it's ending it's support cycle). I'd also suggest getting your T-SQL skills built. Itzik Ben-Gan has the best resource for that.
Another tool to learning SQL Server is to start blogging. When you figure something out, write it down. It acts to organize your thoughts and helps to reinforce the learning. It's also a handy reference when you need to look over where to go next. Further, it becomes a resource you can point to during job interviews. Just don't publish stuff about the organization.
You're on one of the handiest learning tools already, SQL Server Central. Take a look to the left near the top of the page. The Stairways series are written specifically as a tool for people getting started. There is a series on SSIS that will prove immediately helpful. There's also a couple on T-SQL which will be handy.
Come back here for questions on specifics as needed. People are always, as you can see, willing to help. For very fast, and very short, answers to questions, you can use the #sqlhelp hash tag on twitter.
I'd also suggest you take a look at the virtual groups from PASS. They're free classes, usually monthly. Also, check out to see if you have a local PASS group that meets in person. That's free training plus networking. There's also SQLSaturday events that may be coming up in your area.
After all that, you're looking at paid training. There are some good choices here, but we'd need to get more specific on what you're looking for.
"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
March 31, 2017 at 2:40 am
If you go to the Brent Ozar blog, on the right-hand side you can sign up for a 6-month DBA training plan, which I think is a weekly email (or you can get it all at once and work through it). The blog is really good anyway
https://www.brentozar.com/blog/
There's also a free online training course here called How to Think Like the SQL Server Engine: https://learnfrom.brentozar.com/product/how-to-think-like-the-engine-an-introduction-to-sql-server-internals/ It might be a little advanced right now, but see what you think.
March 31, 2017 at 5:01 am
Thank you for all the suggestions, I will start diving in today. This isn't an intern position, the previous DBA lost his security clearance. They hired me knowing I didn't have any exp. with SQL, but I did have a clearance and am willing to learn something new. After the "Snowden Event" it's faster to learn software rather than wait to have an experienced DBA get a clearance. I guess someone's lose is my gain with something I've been interested in but haven't had a chance to explore. Now I've been thrown in the pool, and need to learn to at least tread the SQL waters ASAP.
Thanks For All the Suggestions
March 31, 2017 at 5:29 am
One more book suggestion,and it's a free one if you download it: Troubleshooting for the Accidental DBA
Pretty sure that'll help considering your position.
"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
March 31, 2017 at 11:33 am
Grant Fritchey - Friday, March 31, 2017 5:29 AMOne more book suggestion,and it's a free one if you download it: Troubleshooting for the Accidental DBA
Pretty sure that'll help considering your position.
+10
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
April 3, 2017 at 4:49 am
Great! Thank you for all the reply's. Looks like I have quite a bit of reading to do.
April 3, 2017 at 8:39 am
james.mobley - Friday, March 31, 2017 5:01 AMThank you for all the suggestions, I will start diving in today. This isn't an intern position, the previous DBA lost his security clearance. They hired me knowing I didn't have any exp. with SQL, but I did have a clearance and am willing to learn something new. After the "Snowden Event" it's faster to learn software rather than wait to have an experienced DBA get a clearance. I guess someone's lose is my gain with something I've been interested in but haven't had a chance to explore. Now I've been thrown in the pool, and need to learn to at least tread the SQL waters ASAP.Thanks For All the Suggestions
Yowch!
With absolutely no reflection on you, James, it sounds like the company has made some really serious mistakes. The first is that someone has to do something wrong for someone to lose a security clearance. Either the company didn't do the right paper work or the DBA did something really bad. If the former, then the company is a whole lot on the neglectful side. Watch your butt.
They're also incorrect about it being faster for a newbie to come up to speed than it is to hire an experienced DBA and do the necessary background investigation, etc, etc, to get the proper clearance. That only takes weeks where it may take months for a newbie to be able to "operate safely" (especially in a secure environment) and longer than that to be able to solve the eventual problems that will occur. My hat is off to you for rising to the challenge. Can you do it? Considering the tone of dedication you seem to have, I'm thinking that you certainly can. As a bit of a sidebar, this is a huge opportunity for you. These types of "accidental DBA" opportunities just don't grow on trees.
On that note, the recommendation on the book about being an accidental DBA is a great start, especially in this case. The #1 priorities should be being able to do a restore (of course, that includes backups but backups alone are not enough... you must be able to do restores and should test that on a regular basis) and system/user security.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
April 3, 2017 at 9:36 am
Yes, it is going to be very challenging. That's why I have been so thankful for all the suggestions that I have received here. It wasn't the companies fault that the DBA lost his clearance, he did something that all cleared individuals know not to do. As far as time to get a clearance, it's currently taking a little over a year. It's not the normal stuff that everyone and their brother has in the US. Luckily the DBA was doing a very good job; everything has backups, and all is in running smoothly. I knew the guy, he is a great guy. Just made a bad decision. Again, thank you for all the recommendations, sounds like I'm going to need them.
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