by Alan Fernald

Created on: January 16, 2008   Last Updated: March 12, 2009

The best way to learn database management is to be database management.

Many entry-level PC technicians have asked over the years about how to further their careers in Information Technology (IT). The advice I always gave was to determine which area of IT they enjoyed the most and to become the resident expert on that specific system.

To those who wanted to work with databases, the way to success could be long but also very rewarding (both in happiness and financially). For those wishing to start a career in databases, the steps to success are straightforward but definitely not simple.

1. Learn and understand what a relational database is. The basic components of any database are the underlying data tables and especially the relationships between those tables. You must fully comprehend what a primary key is, a foreign key, and the impact that referential integrity and table constraints have on the stored data.

2. Learn and understand the concept of groups and roles in both your Windows environment and your database environment. Groups and roles are the basis of nearly all security in a database environment. As a database administrator, you are responsible for database security and must comprehend all aspects of that security.

3. Understand the importance of backups, and learn how to perform backups and just as important, how to successfully restore those backups. You must understand the importance of the transaction log, and how vital this is to maintaining the highest level of data integrity.

4. Understand your network protocols. Many of the problems that you will encounter throughout your career will be caused by network issues. Understanding how the different network protocols work will help you in troubleshooting and resolving those issues.

5. Learn the system databases. The server is configured and managed by the information stored in these databases. If you do not know what they are or where they are located, then you cannot manage the server.

6. Learn the use of command line tools such as BCP and oSQL. Command line may seem obsolete, but you must master these tools to master the database.

To follow these steps, there are three paths available:

The first path is a database administration course from a local college or university. These classes may last from four to twelve weeks, and will probably have a relatively high price. However, you will get professional instruction, guidance and this is the best route to success. If you believe that you cannot afford to

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