RE: ASP DBAs

  • From: "Mohan, Ross" <RMohan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 22:53:41 -0400

Dennis, 
 
thanks for thoughtful and thought-provoking reply. 
 
I guess there is more volatility ( new apps, upgrades, migrations, new
customers, etc) and 
less volatility (tighter standards maintenance, more teamwork, fewer "just
this once" databases, fixes, etc)
 
I'd imagine ASP DBAs need more/better in the way of monitoring and
alerting.....and going out
on a limb, i'd imagine they are *more* likely to do SA and DBA work -- can't
back this up by
experience as I have none, but my gut tells me that. 
 
My concern is that life as an ASP DBA would be a hamster wheel tedium of
upgrades, patches and answering the same question for seventy different
clients...and that it would be harder to fix problems
because of the isolated/distributed nature of the clients, and the fact that
they'd be more likely to
be using canned crApplications. 
 
 
-----Original Message----- 
From: DENNIS WILLIAMS [mailto:DWILLIAMS@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Fri 7/9/2004 8:58 PM 
To: 'oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx' 
Cc: 
Subject: RE: ASP DBAs



Ross 
   I'm hardly an expert, but based on my limited exposure to ASP DBAs, I'll 
give my opinions and that may provoke some more expert opinion. 
   I think the major differences at an ASP (and this may depend on the 
specific ASP) is that you may be more visible. If the ASP is hosting 
specific applications then you need to be expert in how those applications 
interact with the database. Presumably handling a variety of versions of the

application, migrating customers between versions, etc. If the ASP is 
offering the database as a product, then you will be more visible to the 
customers. 
   In theory you are supporting many databases. So creating standards so all

the databases look alike could be key. Or obeying the standards of a large 
team. Most of us support many databases, but my assumption is that at an ASP

the situation would be more volatile, bringing up new customers, moving 
customers from one server to another, etc. 
   To me the key issue is that the customer needs to have clearly 
communicated what you are and what you aren't doing. Most of the unhappiness

results when the customer thinks you are taking care of all issues and your 
understanding is that you are taking care of a limited amount. 
   Monitoring is a big deal at least being able to tell a good story for 
potential customers. 
   Enjoy working weird hours and weekends. 

Dennis Williams 
DBA 
Lifetouch, Inc. 
dwilliams@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
I said it "looked" clear - Riddick 


-----Original Message----- 
From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
]On Behalf Of Mohan, Ross 
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 10:19 AM 
To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Subject: RE: ASP DBAs 


LoL...nice.... 
Yes, Application Service Provider. I was trying to be hip and fit in with 
the in-crowd 
by using acronyms and got myself into a RAC of trouble. I guess I'll just 
have to get 
into my yoga pose and hum "OEMMMM" until things get better. 
But...on topic...i am trying to find out more about the life of a hardcore 
ASP DBA. 



-----Original Message----- 
From: DENNIS WILLIAMS [mailto:DWILLIAMS@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:DWILLIAMS@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ] 
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 10:30 PM 
To: 'oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx' 
Subject: RE: ASP DBAs 


Ross 
   Usually they change the "P" to a second "S" when they refer to me as 
"that DBA". I'm just guessing here, ASP = Application Service Provider? 

Dennis Williams 
DBA 
Lifetouch, Inc. 
dwilliams@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
I said it "looked" clear - Riddick 


-----Original Message----- 
From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ]On 
Behalf Of Mohan, Ross 
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 4:56 PM 
To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Subject: ASP DBAs 


Before I begin a painful archive search, does anyone 
recall there being a long and/or fruitful discussion 
of the who/what/when/where/how/why's of being an ASP DBA? Thanks 


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