It Disaster Response ― Lessons Learned in the Field

This book is an introductory guide to developing and—most importantly—testing an effective SQL server disaster response (DR) plan. It clarifies for the reader how to develop and test the hardware and software necessary to build a reliable DR plan. Too often companies purchase the components required for a plan, but then fail to properly develop and test it. When you don’t practice for disaster, you increase your chances of having one.

Disaster Response provides guidance on creating an actual plan to execute if a disaster occurs. It supplies solutions to handling disasters both large and small. The author will use real-world scenarios to illustrate the importance of DR planning.

In addition to a focus on SQL Server specifically, this book examines disasters in general—a compilation of lessons the author learned over the course of years reviewing plane crashes and his experiences as a cave rescuer and cave rescue instructor.

Although at first it may seem that none of these are really related, the truth is they all have elements in common. In each case, the unexpected has happened. Just as not all plane crashes are deadly, not all IT mishaps have terrible consequences. With the proper training and approach, many problems can either be avoided in the first place or better handled if they do arise.

The book contains practical guidance on:

• How to think about a disaster both before it happens and while it’s happening.
  
• How to get everyone on board when it comes to planning for and handling disasters.
  
• How to better deal with smaller, more manageable—and more frequently occurring—disasters.

What you’ll learn

• The difference between a DR solution and a DR plan.
  
• The definition of a disaster—it’s not always of the scale of a fire burning down the building.
  
• Several different SQL Server solutions to address various disasters.
  
• Suggestions on when to actually implement your DR plan.
  

Who This Book Is For

SQL professionals in charge of developing their company’s disaster recovery plan who also need to raise issues to the required C-level people to make sure they have a viable one.

Greg Moore has been both an independent consultant (Green Mountain Software) and a director and later VP of IT at several internet startups that had 24/7 requirements. In both roles, much of his focus has been as a DBA. However, he has experience with networking as well as recent experience with programming. His blend of hands-on technical skills combined with his management skills gives him a unique insight into disaster planning. He has helped clients through a disaster as well as helped develop and test disaster plans, as well as experiencing a few of his own.