Please start any new threads on our new
site at https://forums.sqlteam.com. We've got lots of great SQL Server
experts to answer whatever question you can come up with.
| Author |
Topic |
|
trusoul
Starting Member
3 Posts |
 Posted - 2009-01-22 : 08:45:06
|
| Hi, Looking for some guidance, i have been working in IT Support Wintel for a few years. I have recently been made redundant, so i have really been rethinking what i want to do. Yes you guessed its SQL DBA :D. Feel i need to specialize in a field to really make some progression.Iv taken the first steps reading Wrox Beginners guide to Sql 2005 dba. Just started to watch CBT Nuggets series for SQL and i have a Vmware session of SQL Ent edition set up.My question is, in terms of certification whats the do and donts ?. Iv been briefly advised to start with a MCT SQL 2005 ?.My goal is to gasp a semi-good understanding of MS SQL before i start looking for JR SQL DBA Jobs. Thank you for your time, any advice would be very helpful.G |
|
|
harsh_athalye
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
5581 Posts |
Posted - 2009-01-22 : 08:50:51
|
| 1. Please go through a good database modelling book along with SQL server book (this is the area most of the people choose to ignore)2. Do as much hands-on exercises as possible3. MCTS will be good starting point for the certification path4. Contribute and read regularly on SQL forums such as this. You will gain amazing lot of knowledge.Harsh AthalyeIndia."The IMPOSSIBLE is often UNTRIED" |
 |
|
|
trusoul
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 2009-01-22 : 09:11:34
|
| Harsh thank you for your reply. In terms of a Database Modelling Book, can you please recommend one that you may have used previously?. I have spent alot of time reading topics on this forum, its one of the key reasons why i choice to pursue the path of SQL DBA. I found myself spending hours reading topics.G |
|
|
|
harsh_athalye
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
5581 Posts |
Posted - 2009-01-22 : 09:20:05
|
| Generally, you have to decide which books suits your taste. For me, it is Fundamentals of Database Systems by Navathe. Another good read is Database design for mere mortals.Harsh AthalyeIndia."The IMPOSSIBLE is often UNTRIED" |
|
|
|
robvolk
Most Valuable Yak
15732 Posts |
Posted - 2009-01-22 : 13:33:13
|
| Addison Wesley and Apress have some too:http://www.amazon.com/Developers-Guide-Data-Modeling-Server/dp/0321497643/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232649117&sr=8-1http://www.apress.com/book/view/9781590594636http://www.apress.com/book/view/1590597451The last one is a little scary if you haven't worked with databases on a theoretical level, but it's fairly gentle and more approachable that most others I've read (especially Chris Date's books).One thing I found helpful when I started doing strict DBA stuff was learning the basics of administration, like backups, index maintenance, SQL Agent job creation and monitoring. It's less glamorous than design but if you master that stuff quickly it will serve you very well. Nothing is more aggravating than dealing with disaster recovery if you've never backed up or restored a database. It also gives you a great opportunity to develop automated processes and reports. |
|
|
|
trusoul
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 2009-01-22 : 14:31:03
|
| Harsh and Robvolk. Thank you for your help. Guess its time for me to really knuckle down and get on with it. Thanks again. |
|
|
|
robvolk
Most Valuable Yak
15732 Posts |
Posted - 2009-01-22 : 17:15:15
|
| Another thing you might want to spend time with is Powershell. It can wait, but if you learn that you will save yourself A LOT of time. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baby Steps for a Novice. SQL DBA