Re: Rant

I agree that the "glory" is in tuning, but I also think backup/recovery gets a sufficient amount of respect. It's nice now that advocating RMAN isn't considered snake-oil...

Where I get funny looks these days is when I discuss database security. I try to defuse the tension by quoting the old saw about "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you", but people still fidget and look away in pity as if I've lost my mind. I asked two audiences recently how many people utilize the SYSOPER role, and only one person in the second audience raised his hand. Similar effect if you ask about password management...

...I have to admit that some of the scarier folks are the ones who agree totally, though... :-)

• Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 8:28 PM

> mkb, you're right, the "glory" is in tuning nowadays, but i beg to
> differ, since if you can't/won't do recovery when the chips are down,
> then the point is moot.
>
> I specialize in backup/recovery but getting damagement to think its
> important today when the db is running fine, is tough. Its only when
> its time to do recovery does damagement all of a sudden think its
important.
>
> Joe
>
>
> mkb wrote:
>
> >Ok, I need to vent a little.
> >
> >Last week, I was asked to do some tech interviews over
> >the phones for a mid level DBA position. Someone with
> >about 2-3 years experience.
> >
> >I don't consider myself a real smart DBA, nor do I
> >think that I ask particularly tough questions. The
> >questions that I ask potential candidates are soley
> >based on what is on the resume. So I figure if
> >someone has, say, hot backups or SQL tuning on their
> >resumes, I'd expect them to be able to hold a fairly
> >intelligent conversation about these topics. No such
> >luck!
> >
> >What really frustrated me, and what I really want to
> >get out of my system, is that nobody that I talked to,
> >had a real good concept of hot backups. Forget about
> >recovery. I asked each and every candidate who
> >claimed to have done hot backups, just give me a high
> >level overview of how you do a hot backup. Don't care
> >about syntax, just give me the mechanics. The answers
> >I got were completely off base, baffling and
> >frustrating. Some of these folks claimed to have 5
> >years experience!!!
> >
> >'Well, we use scripts to do these, so I'm not sure how
> >these are done...' (But it says on your resume you've
> >done this???)
> >
> >'Oh, I take the tablespace offline, and copy the
> >datafile to tape...' (Unless I'm mistaken, that's not
> >how a hot backup is done, right?)
> >
> >'Well, I use the export utility, and as the backup
> >starts, it is written to the dump file.' (Huh? What?)
> >
> >'During this time, everything is written to the redo
> >logs and not to the tablespace...' (You've been
> >reading one of those books, haven't you?)
> >
> >I also asked them how they'd put a tablespace in
> >backup mode. Simple enough, right? Not one of them
> >got it right. Not even close. Didn't have clue as to
> >what I was talking about. Fair enough, you don't
> >know. Well how about a simple recovery scenario. I
> >asked every candidate how they would do an online
> >recover of a datafile while the database was still in
> >use. No ideas. Not even close.
> >
> >I dunno, perhaps I'm spoilt by being a member of this
> >list? Perhaps I expect every candidate to be as
> >knowledgeable as you guys? Perhaps I'm asking too
> >much?
> >
> >Rant over. Thanks for listening.
> >
> >mkb
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Do You Yahoo!?
> >Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
> >http://health.yahoo.com
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com
> --
> Author: Joe Testa
> INET: jtesta_at_dmc-it.com
>
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Author: Tim Gorman
  INET: Tim_at_SageLogix.com

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