PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL Server Backup

When the Zmanda Client for Windows is configured and licensed for PostgreSQL backup, the ZMC allows you to select a PostgreSQL server to back up. When a PostgreSQL server is backed up, all databases are included in the backup, which can be either full (using pg_dump) or incremental (which depends on Posgres write-ahead logs, referred to as WALs).

Requirements for PostgreSQL Server Backup and Restore

These instructions assume you have already installed and licensed the Amanda Enterprise server and the PostgreSQL server being backed up. There are a number of additional requirements:

• Make sure that your versions of Postgres conform to the tested platforms listed on the Zmanda Network Supported Platforms page.

• The amanda-client.conf file on the server must be manually edited to include the following lines:

property "PG_DATA" "Path_to_PSQL_Data_Dir"
property "PG_ARCHIVE_DIR" "Path_to_PSQL_Archive_Dir"
property "PG_HOST" "localhost_or_path_to_socket_file"
property "PG_TMP" "Path_to_temp_dir"
property "PSQL" "Path_to_PSQL_Binary"

Path_to_PSQL_Data_Dir

The path to the PostgreSQL data directory.

Path_to_PSQL_Archive_Dir

The path to the PostgreSQL archive directory (where the WAL files are stored). 

localhost_or_path_to_socket_file

Specify localhost or the path to the socket file for ssh communications with the server. Entries beginning with / are interpreted as a socket file path (just specify the path, for example, /tmp, not /tmp/.s.PGSQL.5432.

Path_to_temp_dir

Temporary directory. Must have enough capacity to temporarily store the backup data for a full backup of the PostgreSQL server. Defaults to /tmp.

Path_to_PSQL_Binary

The path to the PostgreSQL psql binary executable file.

For further details on application properties, see amanda-client.conf(5). For specific details on PostgreSQL agent properties, see ampgsql(8).

Configuring PostgreSQL Server Backups from the ZMC Backup What Page

Create a dedicated backup set for each PostreSQL server you intend to back up. On the Backup What page you are prompted to select what type of object you want to back up. Choose PostgreSQL, and the following options are displayed:

Host Name

The name of the machine running the PostgreSQL server you intend to back up.

Data Directory

The path to the PostgreSQL data directory.

Encryption and Compression

Set these options as desired. They are described in more detail here. 

Advanced Options - Estimate 

Because PostgreSQL itself provides no completely reliable method of predicting backup size from the client, you can choose to have the Amanda server calculate the size (Usually Accurate) or, if databases being backed up do not change in size that much from backup to backup, just use the average size calculated from previous backups. In most cases, the default of Usually Accurate is appropriate.

After you have set the options, click the Add button to add the PostgreSQL server to the backup set. Click Apply Plan to Server to commit the changes; you can then configure the backup set just as you would any other by setting the options on Backup Where, Backup How, and Backup When, etc.

Configuring PostgreSQL Server Restores from the ZMC Restore What Page

Make sure that PostgreSQL is installed in the same location as when the backup was run. The databases and logs file locations should also match the original configuration. When you have selected the disk list entry that includes the Postgres server for restore, the Restore What page displays the following options: 

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Select all the appropriate options and Restore->What page.

Troubleshooting

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