DBA FAQ

General

How do I request a database account or access to a database?
If you are not the administrative/business owner of the database:
  • The administrative or business owner of the database would have to provide authorization before the account would be granted. Please contact the administration/business owner for the database and ask that they request the account on your behalf.

If you are the administration/business owner of the database:

Do I need a UBC IT Virtual Systems Service subscription before I may engage UBC IT database Administration to provide support or assistance?
Yes, in almost all cases, subscribing to UBC IT VSS is a requirement before engaging UBC IT Database Administration. For other situations, it is possible that an exception may be made, however there may be additional support costs or limits on the type and quality of support available.
Is there an option for after hours support?
For Oracle Enterprise systems there is an option for after hours support.

For MySQL and SQL Server, afterhours support is best-effort only.

How would I get centralized monitoring setup for my database? What are some options available for this purpose?
There are several different tools available for this purpose. If you'd like more information on how to proceed, please complete the Database Service Request web form indicating your interest in centralized monitoring for your database.
How do I request support from Database Administration?
Please complete the Database Service Request web form, indicating the details of your request, including contact information.
I want to discuss the various options, an idea, or services available from Database Administration, how would do I do so?
Please complete the Database Service Request web form , indicating that you'd like to request a consultation. Please include the details of the area that you'd like to discuss and include contact information.

How do I contact Database Administration for afterhours support?
Please contact the IT Service Centre, providing your contactin info and indicating the reason for your request.

Oracle

Do I need to purchase an Oracle License for Oracle Enterprise?
UBC IT has a campus license for a limited set of Oracle products, including Oracle Enterprise. For more information on the licensed Oracle products, please see the UBC Software Licensing website.
How do I get a Customer Support Identifier from Oracle?
You'll need to request this via the ITSC Webform. Please see the UBC Software Licensing website.
Where can I find UBC specific network configuration files?
Oracle network configurations files for Oracle client installations can be copied from \\teamshare.ead.ubc.ca\team\slms\desktopapps\Oracle\config. An EAD account is required. Typically copy sqlnet.ora, ldap.ora and in some cases tnsnames.ora to your local <oracle_home>\network\admin folder.

MySQL

Do I need to purchase a MySQL License for Oracle MySQL Enterprise?
UBC IT has a campus license for a limited set of Oracle products, including Oracle MySQL Enterprise. Please see the Oracle software licensing page for more information on the licensed Oracle products.
How do I obtain the community version of MySQL?
This can be obtained from the MySQL website. Please note that this is not the same as Oracle's MySQL Enterprise Edition for which we have a campus license.

SQL Server

Do I need to purchase a SQL Server License from Microsoft?
Yes, you need to purchase a license from Microsoft in order to use SQL Server (2008/2012). UBC, in some cases, has preferential pricing for Microsoft products. Please refer to the Server Operating Systems and Applications page for more information.