• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Looks like I'm going to go the DBA route... where to start?

J

jread

Senior member
After lots of discussion on this forum as well as with other people, I've finally figured out my path in the IT world. I am not interested in desktop support, network administration or fulltime programming (though I enjoy doing programming here and there). I've learned a lot about Database Administration lately and have decided that it would be perfect for me. Now that I know I want to enter the DBA world, I really have to gain some idea of where to get started. I was hoping that someone on here could point me in the right direction for a newbie.

I've worked in the field of Geographic Information Systems for 8-years now and we are very database-driven. All of our map features are attached to a "geodatabase" that is powered by Oracle. I've lately become more interested in the technical side of the field, creating programs and scripts, messing with the databases, etc. I would like to go fully into database administration for the SDE:

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcsde/index.html

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/geodat...base/index.html


As for gaining experience in database administration, I'm hoping to get a Master's in CIS as well as some real-world experience. I may also go the certification route if that will be helpful.

The problem is that I have no idea where to even begin. I need to find a good way to introduce myself to databases in general, then I need to specialize in Oracle.

If anyone can give me some info to get started, I would truly appreciate it!

Thanks 🙂
 
so are you going to do windows db or unix db?

if you are going to be an oracle guy, i think you also need to be a unix guy

getting a box with a linux distro on it will let you learn/use mysql and postgres and the other nix type db's
 
Originally posted by: FoBoT
so are you going to do windows db or unix db?

if you are going to be an oracle guy, i think you also need to be a unix guy

getting a box with a linux distro on it will let you learn/use mysql and postgres and the other nix type db's
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it's unix but it could be windows. I don't know anything about unix or linux but I'm not opposed to installing it and digging in 🙂
 
the mysql documentation is quite good, good enough for me to understand it 😱

i have done a little bit with it in both linux and windows

you could setup 2 boxes (old/slow/small hard drives are ok) one with linux and install all the db stuff during configuration and the other with windows server 2003 and install mysql on it
 
There are both Unix and Windows Oracle builds. Depending on the size of your future organization, as a DBA, you may not have to have too much interaction with the OS, but Unix experience can never hurt. You can download Oracle for free for learning. I'd recommend some Oracle classes if you're going to pursue a CIS master's, but you're probably going to be taking undergrad classes to start...I'd imagine grad level Oracle classes are pretty focused/advanced. I took a bunch of Oracle classes in college (and I did GIS work for the USDA, funny), and I was sure it was what I wanted to do for a living, but fell into consulting/network admin position instead (my biggest DB projects are MSDE/ASP based LOL). Still enjoyed both my Oracle and GIS work, though.
 
Thanks for the replies so far 🙂

Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: loup garou
...I'd imagine grad level Oracle classes are pretty focused/advanced.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine there's no such thing as a graduate level oracle class.
Click to expand...

My graduate degree will not have Oracle-specific classes, but does have some general database classes. Some are in design while others deal extensively with data mining and data warehousing.

The local community college does offer some Oracle programming/admin. classes that I may take in the summer.

 
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: loup garou
...I'd imagine grad level Oracle classes are pretty focused/advanced.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine there's no such thing as a graduate level oracle class.
Click to expand...
I'd imagine you're wrong.

http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/grad/co...rogram=MSCIS&Department=CIS&Course=431
http://gsb.luc.edu/courses/academics_co...?searchtype=Program&detail=3&course=30
http://www.scis.nova.edu/~amons/Winter_06/MCIS_630/syllabus.html
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:chf...hool+courses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=39

That was just a quick Google search. I'm sure there are tons more classes in course catalog pdf's that aren't indexed.

Then again, I never went to Grad School, so maybe I'm missing some deeper meaning in your post...but I doubt it.
 
I'm with some of the other on this. Install linux/unix and oracle. First thing that you will need to learn are simple sql commands on the command line.

I'm curious if its possible to find dummy data that you could load into your database. I imagine that its much easier to learn to manage a database that actually has data in it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top