Dear all, I have a server running 8.2.4 and has a database 170GB in size. Currently I am backing it up using pg_dump and it takes around 28 hours, sadly. I was asked to check and compare the newly created DUMP file to the live database and compare records. I personally cannot see an easy or quick way of doing this, and even the point in doing so. I am already restoring the full database to a separate server and no errors were reported. How far can I trust pg_dump, can I trust a restore of the full DUMP to a separate server will be good enough? The time it takes for me to: 1 - Backup it up 2 - Transfer the dump (12.7GB compressed) to the office across the internet 3 - Decompress the full dump locally which will be 105GB raw file 4 - Restore the full dump to a test server It is easily a week to do all of that, when I have finished doing all of that if a problem has developed with my live server, what good that test will be? How relevant that will be? How helpful? My question is: 1 - Is there a more efficient way of backing up such large database, using pg_dump or any other tool? 2 - Is there an easy way to compare the live database with the DUMP file just created? 3 - If I restore the database to a separate server, is there a point to do such a check, especially if it is going to take suck a long time to even start doing such a check? Idea: Pg_dump to split the file into smaller usable chuncks, which could be restored one at time, is that possible? PS I know about PITR but I can't implement it yet as I am still figuring out certain things with the restore process. I would really appreciate helps, please? Thank you very much in advance Renato Renato Oliveira Systems Administrator e-mail: renato.oliveira@xxxxxxxxxxx Tel: +44 (0)1763 260811 Fax: +44 (0)1763 262410 http://www.grant.co.uk/ Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd Company registered in England, registration number 658133 Registered office address: 29 Station Road, Shepreth, CAMBS SG8 6GB UK P Please consider the environment before printing this email CONFIDENTIALITY: The information in this e-mail and any attachments is confidential. It is intended only for the named recipients(s). If you are not the named recipient please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to another person or take copies. VIRUSES: The contents of this e-mail or attachment(s) may contain viruses which could damage your own computer system. Whilst Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise this risk, we cannot accept liability for any damage which you sustain as a result of software viruses. You should therefore carry out your own virus checks before opening the attachment(s). OpenXML: For information about the OpenXML file format in use within Grant Instruments please visit our http://www.grant.co.uk/Support/openxml.html -- Sent via pgsql-admin mailing list (pgsql-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) To make changes to your subscription: http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-admin
