SQL Server for Network Administrators

By: Jeremy Kadlec   |   Updated: 2008-10-15   |   Comments   |   Related: More > Professional Development Career Planning

Problem

My job function is a Network Administrator, not a SQL Server DBA or Developer, but I work with SQL Server on a regular basis.  I could use some pointers to improve my skills.  What would be a good SQL Server primer for me?  What are some high level SQL Server topics that I should be aware of for my regular tasks?  Where can I get some additional information to brush up on my skills?

Solution

You are not alone, at some organizations Network Administrators either handle the DBA tasks they are capable of handling then work with external resources to fill-in the gaps or work with the DBA team on regular basis.  As such, below outlines some key SQL Server aspects for Network Administrators:

• SQL Server environment
  • Knowing the environment in and out like a DBA is probably not a reasonable expectation, but understanding the following items is probably a reasonable expectation:
    • Server name and instances
    • SQL Server priority level
    • Environment (i.e. production, reporting, QA, test, development, etc.)
    • SQL Server version
    • Windows version
    • Supported applications
    • IP address
    • Physical location (country, state, city, server room, rack, etc.)
    • Technical point of contact (DBA, developer, management, etc.)
    • Drive layout
    • Known issues
    • Upstream and downstream systems
    • User community location
    • Operating hours
• Troubleshooting
  • SQL Server version - One of the first items that should be known is the version of SQL Server when troubleshooting an issue.  More often than not you will be contacted about an issue and then you will need to begin researching the item.  Without the correct version, the resolution could be much different than actually needed.
    • Additional information
      • How to tell what SQL Server version you are running
  • SQL Server Logs - One of the first places to begin troubleshooting the issue is in the SQL Server logs.  The next place is in the Windows Application logs.  Once you have reviewed this information, check any predefined application logs and logs on the user's machine for insight.
    • Additional information
      • SQL Server 2005 Log File Viewer
  • Failures - Depending on the environment, you could have any number of failures related to SQL Server Agent Jobs, full TempDB database or logs, insufficient disk space, etc.
    • Additional information
      • Finding SQL Server Agent Job Failures
      • Troubleshooting Performance Problems in SQL Server 2005
      • Tempdb Configuration Best Practices in SQL Server
      • Script to determine free space to support shrinking SQL Server database files
      • Monitoring SQL Server database transaction log space
  • SQL Server Tools - Knowing what tools are at your disposal can just about make or break any issue.  Make sure you know the capabilities of Management Studio, SQL Server Profiler, Performance Monitor, third party tools, etc.
    • Additional information
      • Free SQL Server Troubleshooting Tool from Microsoft
  • Restart SQL Server - SQL Server can be restarted via the Services applet, Management Studio or via the command line.  Regardless of the technique, make sure dependent services are restarted as well.  As an example SQL Server Agent is dependent on SQL Server, so if you restart SQL Server be sure to restart SQL Server Agent.
• Daily tasks
  • Backups and restores - Are probably one of the core items that need to be verified on a daily basis.  With backups serving as first and last line of defense at some organizations, make sure you have them on a daily basis.
    • Additional information
      • Script to retrieve SQL Server database backup history; last week, most recent and no backups
      • SQL Server Backup History Analysis
      • Do you really know if your SQL Server database backups are successful?
      • SQL Server point in time recovery
      • Simple script to backup all SQL Server databases
  • Security - In many environments the Network Administrators have the keys to the kingdom.  So be sure you understand the responsibility with the privilege.  Be sure to secure the administrative passwords in an electronic or physical password safe.  Understand which users have access to the environments and backup directories.
    • Additional information
      • Category: Security
  • Service Packs - Staying on top of service packs can be difficult because they are coming out in every direction all of the time.  As such, setup and publish a schedule you can support to ensure the SQL Servers are patched to limit the vulnerabilities.
    • Additional information
      • Applying SQL Server Service Packs
      • Issue with SQL Server 2005 SP2
  • Disaster Recovery and High Availability - Keeping systems up and recovering as quickly as possible is easier said than done.  So be sure to have detailed documentation on the technology that you are using.  When a disaster strikes be ready to strike back and keep the business moving forward.
    • Additional information
      • Category: Database Mirroring
      • Category: Clustering
      • Category: Backup and Recovery
      • Category: Log Shipping
• Setting up a new SQL Server
  • When it comes to setting up a new SQL Server, be sure to understand the user needs (response time, storage growth, availability, reporting, etc.) over a predefined period of time before getting too far into the process.  In addition, establish a budget for both hardware and software then explain the value for each component so the business knows exactly what is being purchased. 
    • Additional information
      • Properly Sizing the SQL Server TempDB Database
      • Easing the Capacity Planning Burden
      • Hard Drive Configurations for SQL Server
      • Hardware 101 for SQL Server DBAs

Next Steps

• As a Network Administrator do not be intimidated by SQL Server but also know your limitations.  Many of the topics in this tip are just scratching the tip of the iceberg so if you are faced with a situation you are not comfortable with, do not afraid to consult with external resources.
• As you grow as a Network Administrator be sure to grow your skills by attending user group meetings, SQL Saturday's, web casts and SQL PASS as well as reading technical tips, articles, white papers, etc. on a regular basis. 
• Keep in mind that with each version of SQL Server a new set of opportunities exist to learn about the product and implement options to benefit the organization.
• Check out these related MSSQLTips:
  • SQL Server DBA Checklist
  • SQL Server Backup Checklist
  • SQL Server Index Checklist
  • SQL Server Index Maintenance Checklist
  • SQL Server Code Review Checklist
  • SQL Server Database Integrity Checks Checklist
  • Checklist to Re-Architect a SQL Server Database
  • SQL Server Product Selection Checklist
  • SQL Server DBA database management checklist

About the author

Jeremy Kadlec is a Co-Founder, Editor and Author at MSSQLTips.com with more than 300 contributions. He is also the CTO @ Edgewood Solutions and a six-time SQL Server MVP. Jeremy brings 20+ years of SQL Server DBA and Developer experience to the community after earning a bachelor's degree from SSU and master's from UMBC.

This author pledges the content of this article is based on professional experience and not AI generated.

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