Hello and welcome!

I am Vyas Kondreddi – the DBA behind dutyDBA.com

dutyDBA.com is a website created by a database professional, for database professionals, with the goal of sharing practical SQL Server knowledge from real-world scenarios. I built this site to help bridge the gap between official documentation and day-to-day DBA reality.

I take pride in the work I do and the code I write. I value quality over quantity and clarity over noise. I won’t publish content just to create another post – every article is written to add real value and provide my own practical perspective.

This site is for IT professionals that are responsible for keeping databases happy, healthy, and running smoothly.

A little bit about me and my journey with SQL Server!

My first experience with databases dates back to the mid-1990s, when I was learning about computers and tools like dBASE III Plus and FoxPro were the buzzwords of the time. I began my IT career in the late 1990s as a Visual Basic Support Engineer, and soon after, I joined Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) in Las Colinas, Texas as an SQL Server Support Engineer. SQL Server 6.5 was the first version of SQL Server I worked with. It was an incredible opportunity at such an early stage of my career and gave me a strong foundation in SQL Server.

At Microsoft, I had the privilege of working under the guidance of distinguished SQL Server CPR engineers such as Bob Dorr and Bob Ward. Their knowledge, troubleshooting approach, and passion for solving complex problems had a lasting impact on how I work with SQL Server today. Those early years taught me how to think like a troubleshooter and focus on practical, reliable solutions – skills that continue to influence the content I share on this site.

Using the skills gained at Microsoft, I transitioned my career from technical support to database administration. I moved to the UK in the early 2000s. By mid-2000s I started contracting as a DBA/database specialist in London’s financial sector.

My previous SQL Server website

Whilst building my career in the database space, I ran a website in my spare time, on a free hosting platform named Tripod by Lycos. It was a simple website hand-coded in HTML – but it grew into a surprisingly popular SQL Server resource and helped me build a name within the database community. For my service to the SQL Server community, I was recognised by Microsoft as an MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for the years 2002 to 2006 – something I’m very proud of.

What happened to that old Tripod website and why this new website now?

Well, after having our first child in 2007, I realised there’s more to life than spending all my free time building an SQL Server website! Then a second child came along, life got busier – the website was gradually neglected and eventually disappeared. Even today, many of the scripts and tools I shared there are still being used, and I continue to see references to that site around the internet.

You might be wondering, why am I starting this new website now? Well, my kids have grown up and are getting ready to leave home for university. With the prospect of more free time on my hands, I decided to have another go at creating an SQL Server website all over again. My passion for SQL Server and database technologies is still very much alive – and I’m excited to see where this journey leads!

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. If you’d like to get in touch, collaborate, or suggest topics you’d like to see covered, please visit the Contact page – I’d love to hear from you.