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Thoughts and experiences of a DBA working with SQL Server and MySQL

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SQL Server 2012 certification

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sql server 2012 certificationSo SQL Server 2012 has gone RTM and I am considering studying for a SQL Server 2012 certification.

At the time of writing this post, the exams are not yet available but are due in June 2012 with the beta exams happening in March 2012.

For this release, in order to attain a SQL Server 2012 certification you must pass five exams but if you are already SQL Server 2008 MCITP certified, then you need take only three to upgrade.

The information on the Microsoft site seems to indicate that the new qualifications will not be called MCITP. It refers to them as “Professional Level Certifications” There are two categories “Data Platform” and “Business Intelligence” of which three of the exams are the same, with the last two making the difference.

So somewhat different to the previous version whereby, you could go down three different paths to become either a MCITP Database Administrator, Database Developer or a Business Intelligence Developer for SQL Server 2008 and each one had only two exams to pass.

The lists are as follows.

“Data Platform”

  • Exam 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
  • Exam 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Exam 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
  • Exam 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012

“Business Intelligence”

  • Exam 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
  • Exam 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Exam 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Exam 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

If you want an outline of what you will be expected to study for each exam, then you can view the Microsoft site and click into each exam for a breakdown. The link is here – SQL Server 2012 certification

My first thought when I read this and compared it with the SQL Server 2008 certification exams was why so many when you consider that in order to be qualified in SQL 2008, you had to pass one exam to get accredited with an MCTS and one more for the MCITP qualification. There are now five exams for one qualification.

When you consider that the options have been reduced in terms of what you can qualify as, then the number of exams involved seems logical because there is more cross over with the new qualifications compared with the old ones.

Of course this does mean that if you going for a SQL Server 2012 certification and you are not already certified, then you have a lot of work to do to get there.

For those upgrading the path is a little easier but the others will have to sit the five exams. At the time of writing this post I could not find anywhere which mentioned what you achieve after passing an exam. With the MCITP program, you attained an MCTS, a great incentive to sit an exam knowing that you had a chance of coming away with something at the end. Hopefully this will be the case with the SQL Server 2012 certification program.

If you want to go for both the Data Platform and Business Intelligence certs then it looks like you will have to sit all seven exams.

The professional level certs will also require re-certification every three years.

SQL Server 2012 certification benefits

  • Helps to make your CV stand out from the rest and could help get you an interview.
  • Demonstrates that you have spent time studying the product in depth.
  • Helps prove you are an expert in the field, although I would always say that there is no substitute for experience.
  • It’s a great way to learn about the features of the product.
  • Can help towards a promotion or get you more leverage for that pay increase you are after.

What costs are involved?

There will be a wealth of books available and Microsoft amongst others will usually supply dedicated reference material for at least some of the exams which you can purchase.

For each exam you sit, there will be a fee. Exams can be booked through Prometric and you can get an up to date price list from them on their site.

Consider using Books Online because it is a comprehensive reference tool and should provide a wealth of material which will be of use and could save you buying books.

Try and convince your employer to help contribute towards the costs illustrating the benefits that a SQL Server 2012 certification can bring to the business.

How I would study for SQL Server 2012 certification

I can’t tell you what method works best as I simply don’t know. Everyone is different and if you have studied for a sql server certification in the past, you will probably already have a method and routine which works.

This may sound obvious but organization will be key. I have to come up with a plan and stick to it. My life outside of work needs to have more structure if I am to achieve my goals and be ready to sit the exams.

Inside of work I like to be organized. Outside of work, I am more relaxed about things and I tend to “go with the flow”. I’ve got to change that. I want to draw up a schedule whereby each week, I have a plan to follow. I’m going to have to treat this as a project, break it down into chunks of study and tick them off when I have completed them.

As with any project, goal posts may have to be moved to accommodate change. I might have a week when I have had to work more hours in the office to get things done. This will set me back but I have to ensure that I get those study hours in somewhere else in order to catch-up. So sacrifices may have to be made.

There will be many other DBA’s out there who have already studied for a MCTS or MCITP. They may have their own blogs or they may contribute to discussions on forums. I will look for any advice that they can provide.

At the time of writing this post, the books which are due to be released on the exams are not yet available. However it doesn’t stop me from learning about the product. I am using the SQL Server 2012 RC0 download but SQL Server RTM is also now available to download on a 6 month evaluation if you wanted to use that.

I highly recommend that you create yourself a virtual environment in which to play in. Windows 2008 R2 is also available on a evaluation basis so if you have the capacity, set up some virtual machines, install one of the SQL Server versions I have mentioned and start learning using the Microsoft exam outlines and SQL Server 2012 Books Online to support your training.

For virtual clients, I use VirtualBox from Oracle and below are the links for Windows 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012 RTM

SQL Server 2012 RTM Evaluation

Windows 2008 R2 Evaluation

And finally…

I’m still undecided. I am definitely tempted to sit the SQL Server 2012 certification exams. I know they will be of great benefit in my career and the feeling of achievement in becoming a recognized SQL Server professional will I am sure be a great one.

Update…

You can read more on this topic in this post

Keeping fit could improve your performance as a DBA

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superman dbaIt is not uncommon for a DBA to work long hours.

In addition to the 9-5 standard, there will requirements to stay later after work to meet deadlines or because there is a problem with a production server that requires your attention. 50-60 hour weeks can become the norm and there may also be an on-call system in place which you may be part of.

There is a lot of pressure on you and sometimes you or your fellow workers might think you are Superman 🙂

Exercise is important

Now I’m no health expert. I am no fitness expert either and do I keep fit? Well I try but I certainly don’t do as much exercise as I should. In the summer time, I am probably fitter than at any other time in the year because I am playing cricket every week. I try to ensure that I exercise in the gym during the week and practice my game in the cricket nets.

I do this because I am competitive. I like to do well for my team and it gives me a personal buzz if I leave the pitch knowing that I have performed well. I attribute my success to years of hard work in practice and my performance has generally been better when I have trained in the gym both leading up to the start of the season and during it.

runningIt’s a “no brainer” really. I am fitter so my capacity to do more on the pitch is greater. My mind is focused on the game for longer periods and my body does not give way to fatigue during the game. I am more alert, feel stronger and my performances with the bat usually reflect how good my fitness levels are. I am reaping the benefits of my hard work.

So you can see where I am going with this right?

This is not new advice. Keeping fit is good for you and in my opinion, you can be a better DBA if you are fit. Obviously there is more to it than just keeping fit, you have to have the skills and also the drive to be a good DBA.

Since I have started training for the coming cricket season, I am already feeling more alert and generally happier. My life feels less stressful although it has not changed at all in any other way. I am still very busy at work but perhaps I am working more productively because I am fitter.

I am also trying less to work later unnecessarily and instead, I go to the gym on those days. Consider if those things you want to get done before you go home can wait until tomorrow and perhaps if you really cannot afford the time to exercise, then you need to hire more help. You are not Superman and shouldn’t push your body for too long because you will burn out.

My mother always said “eat your greens”

fruit and vegI’ve got an incredibly sweet tooth and I am putting in lots of effort at the moment to eat better by cutting out sugary things. Again, this is not new advice but you won’t get fit just by exercising, you need to eat well too.

Reduce your intake of all things not good for you. So alcohol, smoking, caffeine, fatty and sugary foods, and instead eat and drink more healthy. Eat less red meat. Eat more fruit and vegetables, white meat, fish, drink more water. You get the idea.

Ensure that you learn new things – keep your brain fit and active.

Keeping your brain active and ensuring that you learn about new topics is important. Database server products are forever evolving and keeping current can be difficult due to time.

It’s important to learn as much as you can about the products that you are using. You might come across a problem which can be solved quickly because you have read an article on that topic. Take time to read forums and newsletters. Make it part of your routine. Even if you read one article a day, imagine how many new things you would have learnt by the end of the year!

Ask your manager about training courses and certification to supplement your development.

And finally, ensure that you rest up

sleeping dogYou’re working hard and exercising but its important to rest and unwind.

The demands placed on you as a DBA both mentally and physically are different than playing cricket but are in no way lesser and in many ways are far greater because of the responsibilities placed on you.

There is a lot of pressure on the DBA to keep that server running like clock-work and to meet deadlines so do whatever you can to ensure that you are as fit and healthy as you can be.

You may become a better DBA as a result.

 

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