Although I understand the answer to this question varies greatly, is there a "rule of thumb" for calculating DBA staffing based on SQL Server databases or servers?

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2003

Answers

Everett,

In my experience, two DBAs is the effective minimum. A second DBA assures better coverage, and often can offer a second opinion before hitting the Delete button.

Often, if a shop has more than about 100 developers, I will see three DBAs.

Naturally, each database will have a DBO, but (generally) the DBAs are the only ones with the sa password.

The number of databases or servers doesn't seem to have much to do with the number of DBAs.

YMMV,

Eric

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2003