What is better method to backup postgresql DB.

In response to Steeles <steeles@gmail.com>:

new to postgresql. need to backup postgresql DB, which way is better to
backup DB.

from training, I learned that we can backup the whole PGdata and other
directories to achieve backup goal, originally I was planned to schedule
jobs to use pgdump to backup all DBs.

so which way is better for backup or there is other way to backup PGDB.

Use pg_dump or pg_dumpall. If you're at the level that you have to ask
this question, then you'll have nothing but trouble getting reliable
backups by backing up directories.

Also, since you're new to PostgreSQL, I _HIGHLY_ recommend that you don't
assume that you're getting backups until you can demonstrate that you can
restore them.

--
Bill Moran
http://www.potentialtech.com
http://people.collaborativefusion.com/~wmoran/

In response to Steeles <steeles@gmail.com>:

new to postgresql. need to backup postgresql DB, which way is better to
backup DB.

from training, I learned that we can backup the whole PGdata and other
directories to achieve backup goal, originally I was planned to schedule
jobs to use pgdump to backup all DBs.

so which way is better for backup or there is other way to backup PGDB.

Use pg_dump or pg_dumpall. If you're at the level that you have to ask
this question, then you'll have nothing but trouble getting reliable
backups by backing up directories.

Also, since you're new to PostgreSQL, I _HIGHLY_ recommend that you don't
assume that you're getting backups until you can demonstrate that you can
restore them.

Good advise! For all my production systems I do a life backup/replication
using slony plus a nightly pg_dump which is then copied to a remote server.
That way, no matter what happens, I have a backup that's a maximum of 1 day
old (if I have to use the pg_dump) or a few seconds behind (if the replicated
database isn't hit - which sure is also remote and not in the same physical
location)

Whatever you use, always make sure you actually can restore the backup.

On Tue, 2010-10-26 at 14:27 -0400, Steeles wrote:

new to postgresl. need to backup postgresql DB, which way is better to
backup DB.

from training, I learned that we can backup the whole PGdata and other
direcotries to acheive backup goal, originally I was plainned to
schedule jobs to use pgdump to backup all DBs.

so which way is better for backup or there is other way to backup
PGDB.

Backup is explained in a detailed chapter in the new book:
PostgreSQL Administration Cookbook, available from the link below.

--
Simon Riggs http://www.2ndQuadrant.com/books/
PostgreSQL Development, 24x7 Support, Training and Services