How toBecome anExceptional DBABy Brad McGehee

ISBN: 978-1-906434-05-2Shelving: Database/SQL Server

www.simpletalkpublishing.com

In association with

The Brad McGehee Series

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How to Become an Exceptional DBA

by Brad McGehee

First published 2008 by Simple-Talk Publishing

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CONTENTS Contents............................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 9

What this Book Covers ....................................................................................................... 10 Your Feedback ...................................................................................................................... 11

Chapter 1: Why Should I Become an Exceptional DBA? ....................................................... 12 What is an Exceptional DBA? ........................................................................................... 12 Why Bother? ......................................................................................................................... 13

Direct Personal Benefits ................................................................................................ 13 Benefits on the Job ......................................................................................................... 14 Benefits to your Organization ...................................................................................... 14

Summary: The Road to Becoming an Exceptional DBA.............................................. 14 Chapter 2: Characteristics of the Exceptional DBA................................................................ 15

Enjoys Technology .............................................................................................................. 15 Enjoys Challenge.................................................................................................................. 15 Enjoys Problem Solving...................................................................................................... 16 Good with Details................................................................................................................ 16 Embraces Change ................................................................................................................ 17 Enjoys Learning ................................................................................................................... 17 Accepts Responsibility ........................................................................................................ 17 Maintains Professionalism .................................................................................................. 18 Trustworthy........................................................................................................................... 18 Dependable ........................................................................................................................... 19 Can Work Well Independently or in a Team.................................................................... 19 Manages Time Well.............................................................................................................. 19 Can Communicate Effectively, Both Orally and Verbally ............................................. 20 Listens Well ........................................................................................................................... 20 Realistic .................................................................................................................................. 21 Flexible................................................................................................................................... 22 Patient .................................................................................................................................... 22 Enthusiastic........................................................................................................................... 22 Self-Confident....................................................................................................................... 23 Summary: Assess your Strengths and Weaknesses ......................................................... 23

Chapter3: Specialize (You Can't Do It All) ................................................................................ 24 What Exactly is a DBA?...................................................................................................... 24 An A-to-Z of Typical DBA Tasks .................................................................................... 24

Archiving Data ................................................................................................................ 24

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Attending Meetings ........................................................................................................ 25 Auditing ............................................................................................................................ 25 Application Integration.................................................................................................. 25 Backup and Recovery..................................................................................................... 25 Business Intelligence/Data Warehousing ................................................................... 25 Capacity Planning ........................................................................................................... 25 Database Application Development............................................................................ 25 Data Modeling and Database Design.......................................................................... 25 Developing and Maintaining Best Practices ............................................................... 26 High Availability.............................................................................................................. 26 Installing, Configuring, and Upgrading SQL Server Software ................................ 26 Installing and Configuring Hardware .......................................................................... 26 Load Balancing................................................................................................................ 26 Maintaining Documentation ......................................................................................... 26 Managing People............................................................................................................. 26 Managing SQL Server-based Applications ................................................................. 26 Managing Test Environments....................................................................................... 26 Monitoring ....................................................................................................................... 27 Needs/Requirements Analysis...................................................................................... 27 Performance Tuning....................................................................................................... 27 Project Management....................................................................................................... 27 Protector of the Data..................................................................................................... 27 Report Writing................................................................................................................. 27 Running Jobs ................................................................................................................... 27 Security ............................................................................................................................. 27 Scripting............................................................................................................................ 27 SSIS/ETL ........................................................................................................................ 28 Testing .............................................................................................................................. 28 Training Users ................................................................................................................. 28 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................. 28 Working with Teammates .............................................................................................. 28

Choosing a Specialty ............................................................................................................ 28 DBA System Administrator .......................................................................................... 28 DBA Database Designer ............................................................................................... 29 DBA Developer .............................................................................................................. 29 DBA High Availability Specialist.................................................................................. 29 DBA Business Intelligence Specialist .......................................................................... 29 DBA Report Writer ........................................................................................................ 29

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Summary: Specialize but be Adaptable............................................................................. 29 Chapter 4: Hone Your Skill Set.................................................................................................... 30

Where Does Formal Education Fit In?............................................................................ 30 Higher Education ........................................................................................................... 30 Employer Expectations ................................................................................................. 31 Switching Careers............................................................................................................ 31

Getting Experience.............................................................................................................. 32 Mastering DBA Technical Skills ........................................................................................ 32

Specialized Database Skills ............................................................................................ 33 Hardware.......................................................................................................................... 33 Operating System............................................................................................................ 33 Productivity Tools........................................................................................................... 33 SQL Server Best Practices............................................................................................. 33

How to Obtain DBA Technical Skills............................................................................... 34 Formal Classroom Training .......................................................................................... 34 Seminars and Workshops .............................................................................................. 34 Conferences ..................................................................................................................... 34 On-line Training.............................................................................................................. 34 Self-Study Booking Learning ........................................................................................ 34 Magazines and other Publications................................................................................ 35 Websites, Blogs, News, RSS Feeds ............................................................................... 35 On the Job Training Opportunities ............................................................................. 35

Mastering DBA Soft Skills.................................................................................................. 35 People Skills ..................................................................................................................... 35 Teamwork Skills .............................................................................................................. 35 Personal Time Management Skills ............................................................................... 36 Project Management....................................................................................................... 36 Leadership Skills ............................................................................................................. 36 Writing Skills.................................................................................................................... 37 Speaking Skills ................................................................................................................. 37 Knowledge of Legal Responsibilities .......................................................................... 37

Summary: Starting Honing Your Skills Today (and don't stop) ................................... 38 Chapter 5: Is Professional Certification Necessary?................................................................. 39

SQL Server Certification .................................................................................................... 39 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist.................................................................. 39 Microsoft Certified IT Professional............................................................................. 40 Other Certifications of Interest to DBAs .................................................................. 41

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Benefits of Certification ..................................................................................................... 41 Helps to Focus Your Training Efforts ........................................................................ 42 Broadens your Knowledge ............................................................................................ 42 Distinguishes You from Other DBAs ......................................................................... 42 Some Companies Require Certification ...................................................................... 42 Company Recognition and Rewards............................................................................ 42 Peer Recognition ............................................................................................................. 42 Can become a Microsoft Certified Trainer................................................................. 42 Potential College Credit ................................................................................................. 42 Microsoft Specific Benefits ........................................................................................... 42

Should I Get Certified as a DBA?..................................................................................... 43 Who Should Seriously Consider Becoming a Certified DBA?................................ 43 Who Should Consider Becoming a Certified DBA?................................................. 43 Who Might Not Want to Consider Certification? ..................................................... 43 Are There Any Downsides to Certification?.............................................................. 44 How to Get Your Employer to Help Pay for Your Certification ........................... 44

Summary: There is little Downside to Certification....................................................... 44 Chapter 6: Participate in the SQL Server Community............................................................. 46

Benefits of Sharing Your SQL Server Knowledge......................................................... 46 Increase Your Depth of Knowledge........................................................................... 46 Make New Contacts ....................................................................................................... 46 Increase Your Experience and Further Develop Exceptional DBA Traits ........... 47 It's Fun to Help Others ................................................................................................. 47 Become a SQL Server MVP ......................................................................................... 47

How Can I Contribute to the SQL Server Community?............................................... 48 Participate in Forums and News Groups ................................................................... 48 Write and Share Scripts.................................................................................................. 49 Join and Participate in a Local User's Group ............................................................. 49 Join and Participate in SQLPass or INETA at the National Level......................... 50 Speak at SQL Server Community Events................................................................... 50 Write a Blog ..................................................................................................................... 51 Write Articles................................................................................................................... 52 Write or Co-Write a Book ............................................................................................. 52 Start a Website ................................................................................................................. 53 Mentor a Novice DBA................................................................................................... 54

Summary: Participate in the SQL Server Community Today ....................................... 54 Chapter 7: Manage Your Career, Don't Let It Manage You ................................................... 55

Define a Career Path............................................................................................................ 55

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Do you want to be a Competent or an Exceptional DBA? ..................................... 55 What DBA specialty do you want to focus on?......................................................... 55 Do you want to travel, or stay put? .............................................................................. 55 What size of a company do you want to work for?.................................................. 56 What kind of organization do you want to work for?.............................................. 56 What level of (seniority) do you want to attain?........................................................ 56 Where do you want to work?........................................................................................ 56 How much do you want to be paid?............................................................................ 56 When do you want to retire?......................................................................................... 56 Do you want to be your own boss? ............................................................................. 56 Do you have ambitions to become a SQL Server industry expert? ....................... 57

Create a Plan and Set Goals ............................................................................................... 57 Goals should be Short-Term ........................................................................................ 57 Goals should be Specific ............................................................................................... 57 Goals should be Realistic and Attainable.................................................................... 57 Goals can be Small or Large ......................................................................................... 57 Examples of Goals......................................................................................................... 57

Establish New Goals on a Yearly Basis ............................................................................ 58 Take Action to Attain Your Goals .................................................................................... 58 Revaluate Goals and Long-Term Career Plans as Needed............................................ 58 Summary: It Takes a Conscious Decision on Your Part................................................ 59

Chapter 8: Manage your Brand within your Organization ...................................................... 60 Developing Your Brand ...................................................................................................... 60

Focus on Business Goals............................................................................................... 60 Be a Leader, Take the Initiative .................................................................................... 61 Volunteer for Hard or Undesirable Tasks................................................................... 62 Have a "Get It Done" Attitude .................................................................................... 62 Don't Spread Blame ....................................................................................................... 62 Accept Responsibility..................................................................................................... 63 Don't Abuse your Power ............................................................................................... 63 Help Others Be Successful............................................................................................ 63 Avoid Office Politics ...................................................................................................... 64 Downplay the Geek Factor ........................................................................................... 64 Use Correct E-Mail Etiquette ....................................................................................... 64 Participate in Meetings................................................................................................... 65 Make Presentations......................................................................................................... 65 Take Advantage of Learning Opportunities .............................................................. 65

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Use Technology to make you More Productive ........................................................ 65 Be Internationally/Culturally Sensitive ....................................................................... 65

Summary: You Can't Be All Things to All People.......................................................... 66 Chapter 9: Manage your Online Brand....................................................................................... 67

What does it mean to Manage your Online Brand? ....................................................... 67 Step 1: Discovering your Online Brand ........................................................................... 68 Step 2: Managing your Online Brand................................................................................ 68 Step 3: Expanding your Online Brand ............................................................................. 69

Websites............................................................................................................................ 69 Blogs ................................................................................................................................. 69 Forum Presence .............................................................................................................. 69 Social Networking Presence.......................................................................................... 69 Online Resumes .............................................................................................................. 69

Summary: Start Managing your Online Brand Today .................................................... 69 Chapter 10: Best Practices for Becoming an Exceptional DBA............................................. 71

Best Practices ........................................................................................................................ 71 Character Traits .................................................................................................................... 71 Hard Skills ............................................................................................................................. 72 Soft Skills ............................................................................................................................... 72 Branding ................................................................................................................................ 73 Career Management............................................................................................................. 74 Summary: The GOYA Principle........................................................................................ 74