MCSA with no hardware knowledge???

Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a point where its time
to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to either start doing a lot
more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not to hip on
programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is. MCSA should be a
good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it realistic in this day
and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge. Do any companies
out there use people like these. I could do the "New to IT" track for MCSA
and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really interested to hear
from people in the field that may have encountered this scenario. In a
perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy. With the focus on
DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just cant write any more
code to enhance my DBA skills.
Thanks in advance.
Chris

chris

did you take server exams for MCDBA? If not you can learn server but in my
opinion certificate is worthless now so you may not need to take the exam.
DBAs are more valuable with server knowledge.

Do you know any language beside MS SQL and T_SQL? Most DBAs know at least
one language. How is your XML?





"chris" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a point where its time
> to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to either start doing a
lot
> more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not to hip on
> programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is. MCSA should be a
> good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it realistic in this day
> and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge. Do any companies
> out there use people like these. I could do the "New to IT" track for MCSA
> and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really interested to hear
> from people in the field that may have encountered this scenario. In a
> perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy. With the focus on
> DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just cant write any
more
> code to enhance my DBA skills.
> Thanks in advance.
> Chris
>
>

Flicker

Hello Chris,
According to what I've seen a Software Specialist or
System Administrator doesn't really need to know about
hardware to fullfill the requirements. For example in my
company (I work for a bank in the Dominican Republic)
there are different departments for Technical Support (OS
and Hardware Engeeners).

And I think most big and even medium companies are like
mine. So I you want to lear hardware of course will be a
plus but that shouldn't be what stops you from obtaining
your MCSA.

Like you I want to be a MCDBA. I recently got my first
Microsoft Certification (exam 70-228 DBA) but I will try
to become first MCSA. I think both combines perfectly to
expand our knowledge.

Wish you the best of luck in your goal!!!
Best Regards

_______________
Nelson Montes de Oca, MCP, A+


>-----Original Message-----
>Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a
point where its time
>to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to
either start doing a lot
>more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not
to hip on
>programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is.
MCSA should be a
>good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it
realistic in this day
>and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge.
Do any companies
>out there use people like these. I could do the "New to
IT" track for MCSA
>and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really
interested to hear
>from people in the field that may have encountered this
scenario. In a
>perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy.
With the focus on
>DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just
cant write any more
>code to enhance my DBA skills.
>Thanks in advance.
>Chris
>
>
>.
>

Nelson

> Do you know any language beside MS SQL and T_SQL?

Just TSQL. Thanks for your input. But do have any thoughts in regards to my
questions?


"Flicker" <> wrote in message
news:...
> did you take server exams for MCDBA? If not you can learn server but in
my
> opinion certificate is worthless now so you may not need to take the exam.
> DBAs are more valuable with server knowledge.
>
> Do you know any language beside MS SQL and T_SQL? Most DBAs know at least
> one language. How is your XML?
>
>
>
>
>
> "chris" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a point where its
time
> > to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to either start doing a
> lot
> > more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not to hip on
> > programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is. MCSA should be
a
> > good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it realistic in this
day
> > and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge. Do any
companies
> > out there use people like these. I could do the "New to IT" track for
MCSA
> > and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really interested to
hear
> > from people in the field that may have encountered this scenario. In a
> > perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy. With the focus
on
> > DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just cant write any
> more
> > code to enhance my DBA skills.
> > Thanks in advance.
> > Chris
> >
> >
>
>

chris

I'm DBA (not certified) and MCSE. Honestly I wanted to learn more with the
languges cauz it helps DBAs know what the programmers are doing to the
databases. I tried to learn VB and gave up after 2 weeks after realized
that I am not that type of a person sitting 8 hrs plus in front of the
monitor and just typing and typing. For your questions: go ahead with MCSA.
It is kind of a plan B in case ... we lost the job.

"chris" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> > Do you know any language beside MS SQL and T_SQL?
>
> Just TSQL. Thanks for your input. But do have any thoughts in regards to
my
> questions?
>
>
> "Flicker" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > did you take server exams for MCDBA? If not you can learn server but in
> my
> > opinion certificate is worthless now so you may not need to take the
exam.
> > DBAs are more valuable with server knowledge.
> >
> > Do you know any language beside MS SQL and T_SQL? Most DBAs know at
least
> > one language. How is your XML?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "chris" <> wrote in message
> > news:...
> > > Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a point where its
> time
> > > to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to either start doing
a
> > lot
> > > more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not to hip on
> > > programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is. MCSA should
be
> a
> > > good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it realistic in this
> day
> > > and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge. Do any
> companies
> > > out there use people like these. I could do the "New to IT" track for
> MCSA
> > > and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really interested to
> hear
> > > from people in the field that may have encountered this scenario. In a
> > > perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy. With the focus
> on
> > > DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just cant write any
> > more
> > > code to enhance my DBA skills.
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > > Chris
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

hardware knowledge is not really necessary in most shops anymore, in some
cases it is even discouraged. Hardware costs have fallen precipitately in
the last few years. All you really need to know is R & R (remove and
replace). Most companies either have on site maintenance contracts built
into the purchase, Swap out of defective units or they ship you the part and
you install it.

Smaller shops may still have a competent all around tech, but they are
getting harder to find. It's just a result of making computers/servers a
commodity. One of the current trends soon to be on the market is
"self-healing" systems. The spin is, they will be able to self diagnose and
either work around the problem using some software algo. or call the help
desk of the vendor and request either a service call, more detailed
diagnosing from a tech or declare themselves as defective and request a
replacement be delivered. The costs will, of course go up..but it's a lot
cheaper than having a person on duty all the time for the rare hardware
related problem. Some companies are on a 3 year replacement contract
anyway...their PC/Server platforms are replaced or upgraded every 3 years,
usually way before MTBF is reached.


"chris" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a point where its time
> to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to either start doing a
lot
> more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not to hip on
> programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is. MCSA should be a
> good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it realistic in this day
> and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge. Do any companies
> out there use people like these. I could do the "New to IT" track for MCSA
> and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really interested to hear
> from people in the field that may have encountered this scenario. In a
> perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy. With the focus on
> DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just cant write any
more
> code to enhance my DBA skills.
> Thanks in advance.
> Chris
>
>


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Zenner

It depends on what you mean by "hardware knowledge".

Knowing how to design electronic or computer circuitry would not likely be
useful in such a situation. However, knowing enough about hardware and the
OS to be able to determine a proper configuration for a database server
setup (based on database size, number of users, and usage patterns) would be
VERY useful. Also, being able to identify and correct OS and system
configuration issues, etc. would be good.

For a DBA to be an MCSA would probably not hurt. But you'll probably find
that the size of the company determines how much (or how little)
specialization is required or desirable in the job. In a large company,
they may not want the DBA to get too far outside of the database. In a
small company, there may not be a dedicated DBA, but possible a "server
administrator" that is responsible for all the server related tasks.

HTH,
Tore.

"chris" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Im a MCDBA. Ive got 2 1/2 years as a SQL DBA. Im at a point where its time
> to start expanding my knowledge. I figure I need to either start doing a
lot
> more SQL programming or start learning some OS stuff. Not to hip on
> programming any more than I need too. So, OS stuff it is. MCSA should be a
> good starting point. My question is(finally) , is it realistic in this day
> and age for an OS guy to not have any hardware knowledge. Do any companies
> out there use people like these. I could do the "New to IT" track for MCSA
> and that would help with the hardware dealio. Im really interested to hear
> from people in the field that may have encountered this scenario. In a
> perfect world, my dream job would be a SQL DBA/ OS guy. With the focus on
> DBA stuff. Im aware this may be pretty tough but I just cant write any
more
> code to enhance my DBA skills.
> Thanks in advance.
> Chris
>
>

Tore Bostrup