[dba-SQLServer]MCDBA

I hear you.  I am not certified... heck the only degree I have is an AA in
Liberal Arts...my major was going to be in Architecture, but I found
computers that much more "fun", I guess I'm a different type of architect
now ;o).  My work did send me to a Horizon's SqlServer Admin Class that only
took 1 week.  While I've been tinkering with SQL for a year now, and
learning many things form going online to great sites like
SqlServerCentral.com or even SWYNK.com there are certain experiences that
even in a classroom environment you just won't learn.  The other truth about
SQLServer or any large DBMS is that you really don't want a *poser* working
on them... in larger environments the newer dba's (JRdba's) usually get
teamed up with a SR dba and must follow in his direction, but could you
imagine what would happen on a new hire that passed the Interview and knew
very little of SQL Server and ended up wiping out a production DB! (not that
I'm naming my dba from where I work at };o) heh heh heh).  Because they are
*Mission Critical* DB's I think most companies want to make sure they get
the most they can for their dollar w/ next to 0 risk.

-Francisco
http://rcm.netfirms.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John W. Colby" <jcolby at colbyconsulting.com>
To: <dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 9:43 AM
Subject: RE: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA


: I hear what you are saying, but what that implies is that the tests don't
: measure what a person knows.
:
: If a person knows enough to pass the test, whether or not he took a class,
: then he knows as much as the person who took the class and got the same
: score (more or less).
:
: Or the tests suck and can't measure what they are supposed to so we will
: force everybody to take a class since that's the only way to ensure they
: know the stuff.  In which case, why the test?
:
: John W. Colby
: Colby Consulting
: www.ColbyConsulting.com
:
: -----Original Message-----
: From: dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com
: [mailto:dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Francisco
: H Tapia
: Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 12:37 PM
: To: dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com
: Subject: Re: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA
:
:
: FWIW, IMNSHO SQL Server is leaps and bounds over typical Access Database
: administration.  There are DBA's I email with that can script out
procedures
: to take care of a full restore plans in case of a catastrophe.  So besides
: server A going down or HDD 3 of the Log Raid, is down, They often manage a
: Farm of SQL Servers that take care of mountains of data.  It's one thing
to
: know "how" to do something and I have great respect for these DBA's as
they
: always seem to have a minute or two to answer any of my "dumb" questions
: :oD.  I belive the same thing holds true for System Admins... We have a
: "good" System Admin here at my current job, but he is by no means GREAT...
: there are many mistakes he makes and many more things he doesn't know.  If
: for example he were a certified CISCO engineer, perhaps he'd be able to
have
: a better idea of subnetting our entire large collision domain network.
This
: is true for our own in-house Sql Server DBA,  poor guy tries his damndest,
: but still comes up short on many DBA specific duties... he is not too
: familiar for example with SQL backup and restore process... or even SQL
: Server Agent Alerts... ouch!... I am a Programmer/Developer by title, but
I
: dabble in everything, from software to hardware.
:
: -Francisco
: http://rcm.netfirms.com
: ----- Original Message -----
: From: "John W. Colby" <jcolby at colbyconsulting.com>
: To: <dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com>
: Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 9:07 AM
: Subject: RE: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA
:
:
: : Steve,
: :
: : Whine away, I feel the same way.  No, actually knowing how to DO
something
: : is not enough!
: :
: : What a crock.
: : John W. Colby
: : Colby Consulting
: : www.ColbyConsulting.com
: :
: :   -----Original Message-----
: :   From: dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com
: : [mailto:dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Steven W.
: : Erbach
: :   Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:56 AM
: :   To: dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com
: :   Subject: Re: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA
: :
: :
: :   Allan,
: :
: :   I can appreciate the structured learning bit. I was wondering because
I
: : had a conversation with a good friend who, in the past, always kept up
the
: : certifications that he had. He seems to be despairing of the cost and
: : bother. Unless one is focused very clearly on one skill these days,
: : certification can become very expensive very quickly. Some--Cisco, for
: : example--require re-certification every two years. I just wonder what
that
: : buys you once you get it. Continued advancement? Better-paying jobs?
: :
: :   I looked up MCDBA certification classes in my area and found some
being
: : offered by another old friend of mine in the Chicago area. The
: certification
: : tests apparently cannot be taken unless one also takes the courses. I
: found
: : that a bit of a put-off.
: :
: :   I was also curious that, on the Microsoft site, the MCDBA is geared
for
: : those with big company experience and big servers and big databases.
: Somehow
: : I doubt that these required courses offer anything in the way of
: simulation
: : of huge databases or multiple platform connections...or do they?
: :
: :   I've worked with PCs since 1982 and on mainframes for a bit before
that,
: : back to 1975. It seems demeaning somehow that I cannot take a
: certification
: : test without going through an approved set of courses for which I pay a
: : large sum of money. I'm perfectly capable of learning SQL Server--or
: : anything else, for that matter--just fine on my own or in connection
with
: my
: : client experiences. I guess I'm whining about having to take those
: courses.
: : If I do and if I get an MCDBA, what does it mean?
: :
: :   Regards,
: :
: :   Steve Erbach