Does PostgreSQL support multi-instancing?

In response to "Bill" <postgresql@dbginc.com>:

Is is possible to have two different versions of PostgreSQL running on
the same computer at the same time?

Yes, we have one server here that's doing it. It's neither easy nor
difficult to set up ... it's somewhere in between ...

--
Bill Moran
Collaborative Fusion Inc.

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On Nov 8, 2006, at 2:58 PM, Bill wrote:

Is is possible to have two different versions of PostgreSQL running on
the same computer at the same time?

Yes. Works just fine. You might end up with some fun with
applications finding the client libraries (generally better
to let them all find the new libraries, even when you're
expecting them to talk to the older server, I think) but
apart from that running different versions on different
ports seems to just work.

If you use some sort of binary package to install, rather
than installing from source all bets are off, and it likely
won't work, but that's just a packaging limitation.

Cheers,
Steve

Bill wrote:

Is is possible to have two different versions of PostgreSQL running on
the same computer at the same time?

It's easy to have two *instances* of postgresql running - they just need
to have their own data directories and be configured to not conflict
with each other (ie. listen on different ports).

Having two purely separate versions should be doable but more tricky as
you will have to build them in such a way each will see its own version
of certain libraries. Perhaps using static linking would deal with this
issue - I'll let someone else chime in on that. You will still, of
course, need to use different ports and data directories.

You could, if you prefer, set up multiple virtual servers on the same
computer and run each copy of PG on its own virtual server.

Cheers,
Steve

After a long battle with technology, "Bill" <postgresql@dbginc.com>, an earthling, wrote:

Is is possible to have two different versions of PostgreSQL running on
the same computer at the same time?

Certainly.

You need separate binaries, separate data directories, separate port
configuration.

If you're up to compiling PostgreSQL from source, it's quite
straightforward to do this. If not, you may find this sort of thing
somewhat more challenging...
--
"cbbrowne","@","gmail.com"
http://linuxdatabases.info/info/nonrdbms.html
Rules of the Evil Overlord #121. "If I come into possession of an
artifact which can only be used by the pure of heart, I will not
attempt to use it regardless." <http://www.eviloverlord.com/&gt;