Beginning Administration

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Beginning Administration

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

SSC Guru

Points: 738588
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June 11, 2004 at 10:23 am

#163892

The first in a series on basic administration of SQL Server servers and databases.
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones/beginningsqlserver2000administrationpart1.asp

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 36 total)

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MVDBA (Mike Vessey) SSC-Insane Points: 21797 More actions · Answer 1

if anyone has any requests for tutorials on specific matters, we are preparing some material for new SQL DBAs and Oracle DBAs making the transition.

we would be happy to post these here.

MVDBA

Bill Hazelwood SSC Veteran Points: 266 More actions · Answer 2

How about a Security overview and best practice (local logins vs. domain accounts).

How about day to day maintenance and backup plans. What are the necessary jobs that all DBA's should do daily, weekly, monthly.

Thank-you
Iceman
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message, however a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

MVDBA (Mike Vessey) SSC-Insane Points: 21797 More actions · Answer 3

i think we can manage that.

watch this space in the next few days.

MVDBA

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004514 More actions · Answer 4

Articles on managing a data warehouse would be greatly appreciated.

Specifically any differences between managing a data warehouse as opposed to managing an OLTP system

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
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

Frank Kalis SSC Guru Points: 111183 More actions · Answer 5

Michael,

have I missed something? Any news on this?

--
Frank Kalis
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Webmaster: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs
My blog: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs/frankkalis/[/url]

JGonzales SSC Rookie Points: 33 More actions · Answer 6

TTT

I have been "blessed" as my companies SQL dba and I need some good starting guides.

Scott lancaster SSC Enthusiast Points: 182 More actions · Answer 7

I would be interested in anything you guys can give me on managing all of the above..

Ill keep checking this space..

Scotty

Scott lancaster SSC Enthusiast Points: 182 More actions · Answer 8

I would be interested in anything you guys can give me on managing all of the above..

Ill keep checking this space..

Scotty

Courtney Rabuffo SSC Journeyman Points: 80 More actions · Answer 9

I would definitely be interested in getting some basic information on SQL admin duties. Specifically maintenance plans, security, & optimization.

ckentebe SSC Journeyman Points: 87 More actions · Answer 10

I am definitely interested in the Security and Administration duties of a MS2000 DBA.

Christopher B. Kentebe
B.S.E.E., O.C.P.
Microsoft SQL Server2000 DBA
Phone : (416) 338-1274
Fax : (416) 696-3765
Email: ckentebe@toronto.ca

LN-202212 SSChasing Mays Points: 645 More actions · Answer 11

This should help set something up. This article provides some structure. Hope it helps.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/maintain/sqlops4.mspx#ECAA

Phil Henry Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 558 More actions · Answer 12

Im administrator of an MIS that uses SQL 2000 - and while I can find my way around the db, create backups, use dts, and write Crystal Reports from the data - I find it difficult to understand how to create views ( so that my Crystal Report can report from the view rather than a group of tables.)

eg: I failed miserably at replication ( so I took my ball home and refused to play anymore!)

Im also at a total loss to understand 'joins' - the concept, how they work/how to use them etc etc

Any Steve Jones style prompt sheets would be greatfully appreciated

David Thayer SSChasing Mays Points: 622 More actions · Answer 13

The first thing a good dba should do, coming into an existing environment, is to put together a backup scheme. Typically, a full backup once a week, and transaction logs more often (depending on how your organization would view data loss in a DR scenario). Secondly, maintenance plans, DBCC checks, reindexing, etc. Some good ones to check out are DBCC CheckDB, DBCC Reindex, DBCC IndexDefrag, DBCC ShowContig. Some of these are very intrusive and should be done off-hours. Capacity planning is also important. Monitor your db sizes and keep tabs on it. Once you have all of these automated, then you can start getting your hands dirty with performance tuning at the query level, DTS, Replication.

Getting back to backups, be sure to test your backups on a regular basis.

David Thayer SSChasing Mays Points: 622 More actions · Answer 14

A DBA tale

Bob walked into his new office with overwhelming confidence as the exiting DBA finished packing his belongings. As Bob walked into the room, the DBA stopped a moment, walked to his desk, took out three envelopes and handed them to Bob.The exiting guy told Bob not to open them, as they would only be effective if they were opened at the right time. Bob asked when that would be, and the exiting DBA said that, when a situation came up where you don't know what to do, open #1 before you walk in to talk to the boss.

Bob got busy and got into the work, handled everything that came his way until one day, he was asked to get some data from a backup. Bob found out that his backups were failing. Bob remembered the envelopes, tore open #1 which contained a slip of paper which read "Blame it on the last DBA". Bob walked into the office wondering what to say and thought of how easily it could have been avoided. He checked the SQL Mail setup, even tested it! How was he to know that MIS would change something in the mail setup? Of course, to blame them would incur the wrath of the MIS department, and being a newbie, he didn't want to do that, so he blindly took the advice in the envelope. His boss agreed that it was the fault of the previous DBA, but told Bob that all SQL Server issues were his problem from now on. Bob learned from his mistake and set up SQL Mail to send him email upon success AND failure of any job. This way, if he didn't receive an email, he'd know there was a problem.

Two weeks went by, and Bob was a legend in his own mind. He loved the new backup strategy he'd implemented. It was so sleek and flexible, there was no way he'd lose data. Then, it was put to the test, and the recovery operation failed. He'd had successful emails regarding his backups and couldn't understand how this could happen. Was it the drive or the server??? He had no idea why he couldn't restore from his backups. Then he remembered the envelopes. Tearing open the second one, it said, simply "Blame the hardware." This was a great revelation to Bob. He'd never tested his recovery plan from start to finish, and never restored a backup in test before going live. Bob went to his boss and told him it was the hardware. The boss agreed, but pointed out that the company had just lost 48 hours worth of work. Bob left, with his tail between his legs. Bob learned that it's important to test your recovery plan.

He was just about to turn in his resignation when he realized he had another envelope. It couldn't possibly help him feel better about the hole he'd dug for himself, but what had he to lose? Bob opened the last envelope, read the note, and smiled. "Create 3 envelopes, label them #1, #2, #3, and create notes that say "Blame it on the last DBA", "Blame the hardware.", and in the third envelope place this note, and start looking for a new job. You're the only one to blame."