documentation

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documentation

sqlfriend

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February 26, 2011 at 3:55 pm

#145085

As a new dba to a new working place, what information or documentation I should ask from former DBA?
Thanks

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magasvs SSCertifiable Points: 7660 More actions · Answer 1

Here is what I document:

1) SQL Server inventory (servers, versions, editions, service accounts, SQL Sever services on each server, number and name of named instances)

2) Hardware configuration (RAID levels, where data files, log files, indexes, tempdb files are located)

3) Network settings (IP addresses, ports used by instances, network protocols enabled)

4) SQL Server configuration (collation, memory settings, default data/log/backup files location, database mail configuration, log files retention)

5) Security (SQL Server Authentication, members of any server roles, all passwords for SQL Logins including "sa" password if SQL Authentication is enabled, security audit mode, login creation procedures, logins owners)

6) Backups (databases recovery mode, backups location, schedules, backups retention, tape backups policies, backups testing/verification documents)

7) SQL Server Agent (jobs list, description, alerts)

8) List of TOP 10 (or more) critical databases

9) List of common databases issues

10) Disaster recovery documentation or Restore procedures (some databases/applications could have different backup/restore strategies)

11) Last of Applications that use databases with Application Support contact

12) Vendors contacts (you can ask an Application Support person if there is one)

13) Application owner from business side

14) SLAs (if exist)

15) Licensing information

You can also ask if there are any data growth trends reports, performance monitoring documents and baselines, what DBA tools used in organization.

magasvs SSCertifiable Points: 7660 More actions · Answer 2

Something else important that you should request - installation media for all versions of SQL Server installed in company.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003875 More actions · Answer 3

magasvs (2/28/2011)
Something else important that you should request - installation media for all versions of SQL Server installed in company.

And proof of licensing.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

magasvs SSCertifiable Points: 7660 More actions · Answer 4

Jeff Moden (2/28/2011)
magasvs (2/28/2011)
Something else important that you should request - installation media for all versions of SQL Server installed in company.
And proof of licensing.

Yes.

In some cases it would be probably not a DBA, but Team lead or Manager. Some organizations have even separate team that responsible for all the licensing. Make sure you find the person(s) who can provide licensing information for you.