RE: New dba questions to the former dba?

Alex...  

I myself have just entered into the DBA realm for the first time. However, I inherited my position containing no documentation of the environment except what a couple of excellent contractors put together for me. Not a great situation to be in for a newbie.  

With all due respect to the previous DBA's, I would make sure of the following:  

• do you have all the documentation? I hate to be a skeptic but, there are some who hoard the extremely important stuff, documented (hopefully), but mostly in their head because they have done it a million times. Pick their brain and be the hero for the person who takes your position someday by documenting what you get out of them verbally.
• which instances are the corporations Achilles heel
• Who holds the licensees / when are they up for renewal
• how to's for what was done for each instance and more importantly why
• who are your greatest allies within your group/organization/field (this list server for sure)
• who do you support specifically. Know thy end user

I personally could go on and on due to my situation. Sounds like you picked the right job though. Congratulations!!!! To quote a previous mentor of mine "welcome to a little bit of stress"    

-----Original Message-----
From: Alex [mailto:stant_98_at_yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 8:45 PM To: oracle-l_at_freelists.org
Subject: New dba questions to the former dba?  

Hi all,  

I just got a new job as a production dba and have already had a chance to read up a bit of online docs and the documentation (mostly "how-to" guides, step-bystep instructions written by the former dba). I am planning to get some additional information from him in a few days and would like to come up with a list of questions for him as part of the knowledge transfer. So my question is what questions should I be asking the former DBA?  

Thanks much!                           

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