Who wants to be a DBA? Quick rules of thumb

WHO WANTS TO BE A DBA?Ensure Better Outcomes using these

Quick Rules of Thumb for the Accidental DBA

Kevin Kline• Technical Evangelist, SQL Sentry• SQL Server MVP since 2003• Twitter, FB, LI: @KEKline• Blog: http://blogs.sqlsentry.com/kevinkline

YOUR CO-HOST• Richard Douglas

• Sales Engineer at SQL Sentry

• Blogs:

• http://blogs.sqlsentry.com/author/RichardDouglas

• http://SQL.RichardDouglas.co.uk

• Twitter: @SQLRich

• Email: [email protected]

• Slides:http://www.Slideshare.net/SQLRich

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LLCCommunity:

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• Introductions• Practical Rules of Thumb Which Improve Outcomes

for DBAsoDocumentation | Testing | Scope | Savvy | Risk | Service | Automation |

Sharing | Lifetime learning

• Q&A

Previous webinar slides and video at http://blogs.sqlsentry.com/kevinkline/webinar-who-wants-to-be-a-dba/

AGENDA

• Well, more like general guidelines…

• Help you become well-rounded, respected, and professional.

• Experience and circumstance may supersede these rules of thumb.

THE RULES

• Insurance• For thoroughness’ sake

Note-taking

as:• Manuals• Scripts• White papers• Et al

Hoarding is Good:

GET OUT YOUR PEN

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Reuse

scripts and methodologies

developed by the best in the business.

Document processes. Build

checklists.

Be a clutch player. • Run frequent drills• Don’t panic!

LUCK FAVORS THE PREPARED

Maintain your focus across diverse technical and

functional areas

Control scope:

Remember the purpose for each task and how it effects

the business (FOREST)

Focus on effectively performing the steps to

achieve your specific goal (TREES)

Use the best technique or feature for the job (WEEDS) But remember “the perfect is

the enemy of the good”

FOREST, TREES, AND WEEDS

Technology is only part of your job.

Technology is only there to make the business successful.

Business requirements dictate which technology to use and how to apply it. Avoid technology fads.Talk to the users and get to know their needs. They are your true customer.

Learn the natural ebb and flow of the business cycles.

KNOW YOUR BUSINESS

Risks! Choose less risky options wherever possible – HA/DR strategies, technology choices,

Analyze, test, and then apply.

Everything you roll out might have to be rolled back. Plan for that worst-case scenario.

Tests! Prepares you to react rapidly and effectively to problem situations.

Sets the limits of the system.

Identifies areas to keep an eye on.

MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE

Do NOT infer service quality by how often the

phone rings.

Build strong quantitative performance metrics so you know, beyond any doubt, how the system

is performing.

QUANTITATIVE SERVICE METRICS

Frees time for more enjoyable tasks

Works whether you’re present or not

Reduces errors

Saves time

AUTOMATION

• Sometimes leads to delegation. • Encourages reciprocation.

Practice In-person sharing

• You hired me … but get my network for free.• I don’t know every answer. But we might know every answer.

Get active in the local/online community.

• FAST - Twitter? #sqlhelp #sqlpass #sqlserver• HIGH QUALITY – http://dba.stackexchange.com

Interactions

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

New releases: both full versions and service packs

More than just databases: XML & JSON, cloud, storage technology, BI, virtualization

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

SUMMARYDocumentation – get out the pen!Testing – luck favors the preparedScope – forest, trees, and weedsSavvy – more than tech, know your businessRisk – measure twice, cut onceService – quality comes from quantitative

measurementsAutomation – not just for lazy DBAsShare – professionalism in actionLifetime learning – continuing educationMore info?

QUESTIONS

Kevin [email protected]

Twitter, FB, LI: @KEKline

Blog: http://blogs.sqlsentry.com/kevinkline

Slides: http://www.Slideshare.net/KKline84

Richard [email protected]

Twitter: @SQLRich

Blog: http://blogs.sqlsentry.com/author/RichardDouglas

Slides:http://www.Slideshare.net/SQLRich