Sean - This is something my manager toys with. I have mixed feelings about
adding a second DBA. On one hand there is the hope that a second person can
help out. On the other hand, it probably isn't double the productivity, and
you may end up doing more manager-like tasks.
My boss keeps nudging me to try out GUI tools, feeling that they
will make the sole DBA more productive. However, after trying several, I
find that they are probably great for novices or when you have to do a lot
of the same task, but don't necessarily save you as much time as you would
expect. Often you are trapped by what the designer of the tool thought you
would be doing. Or it takes awhile for the tool vendor to incorporate new
Oracle features. For example, tools to rebuild tablespaces were selling
well, but now with Oracle Uniform extents and autoextend, defrag tasks are
largely eliminated. And of course there is the overhead of selecting,
purchasing, installing, training, upgrading, fixing the tool.
If anyone has found a GUI tool that has really made a portion of
their job smoother, I would be very much interested in hearing about it.
Especially if you were experienced at the task before purchasing the tool.
If you are worried about criticism for promoting a tool, email me privately.
We have periodically used consultant DBAs, and often this has worked
out well. However, you must spend time interviewing and qualifying their
skills. They need to spend time becoming familiar with your organization and
databases. Then the next time that person may not be available, so you must
start fresh again.
Dennis Williams
DBA
Lifetouch, Inc.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 11:30 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
I've been presented with an opportunity to justify requirements for a 2nd
DBA at our site. As I see it there are an number of paths this presents:
1 - Justify and get a 2nd DBA.
Pro's: Gives me more time to get involved in other projects as a senior DBA.
Holidays and attendance at courses and seminars etc. easier to take
2 - Outsource this role and activate it when required and justify putting
money into investing in software and/or hardware to allow a single DBA
function to required levels.
Pros: New tools etc. to learn and broader experience gained. More
bargaining power if required.
I'd like to hear your feedback on which path you'd be inclined to take and
why?. Also if going it alone what you'd look for software in hardware and
other areas. Currently 6 NT servers, 10 databases and expanding...
Sean :)
Rookie Data Base Administrator
Oracle 7.3.3, 8.0.5, 8.1.7 - NT, W2K
[0%] OCP Oracle8i DBA
[0%] OCP Oracle9i DBA
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