From: "Joel Fradkin" <jfradkin@wazagua.com>
To: "'Richard Huxton'" <dev@archonet.com>
Cc: <pgsql-sql@postgresql.org>
Subject: Re: postgres 8 data directory other then default?
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 14:02:47 -0500
Message-ID: <000901c5106c$47be3f90$797ba8c0@jfradkin>
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In-Reply-To: <420C7940.1090005@archonet.com>

Thank you for all the help.

I was able to get system up (8.0 RPMS, not a build of 8.0.1)

I installed to the normal /var/lib/pgsql/data directory.
I did an initdb on the pgdata drive initdb /pgdata/data
This created a data folder on that drive set.
I used the instructions below for linking my wal to /wal drive.

I edited the postgres.conf in /var/lib/pgsl/data to use the
data_directory=3D'pgdata/data'

I am hoping this means the log files and such are on /var/lib/pgsql/data =
and
that the actual data is on the pgdata/data and the wal is on the /wal.

I could confirm the /pgdata and /wal sytems were growing in size as I =
added
data to the database.

Everyone on this list has been so super helpful; I could never have =
figured
it out without all the guidance. I just wanted to thank everyone who =
jumped
in with help. Stuff is so hard when you're ignorant. I know my way =
around
the MSSQL world, and with the help here I feel I am getting started with
Postgres. Silly stupid stuff like environment variables etc when your =
new
take so long to figure out the right commands and where to put them, =
that's
why I really appreciated the step by step help.

I was thinking of documenting the whole process from install to finished
working project. You all think this be a good idea, just post it here?

Joel Fradkin
=20
Wazagua, Inc.
2520 Trailmate Dr
Sarasota, Florida 34243
Tel.  941-753-7111 ext 305
=20
jfradkin@wazagua.com
www.wazagua.com
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=20

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Huxton [mailto:dev@archonet.com]=20
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 4:22 AM
To: Joel Fradkin
Cc: pgsql-sql@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: [SQL] postgres 8 data directory other then default?

Joel Fradkin wrote:
> I am trying to use a different drive for the data.
>=20
> I have edited postgres.conf to point to the new location, but I get =
the
> error /pgdata/PG_VERSION is missing.
>=20
> Do I have to do a initdb?
>=20
> When I try an initdb it says it is not empty. (has lost and found =
folder
in
> it).

Create a sub-directory. Separate filesystems will have a lost+found=20
folder at the top-level, so you'll need to create a directory called=20
pgsql (or whatever).

> Fedora Core 3 linux.
>=20
> I was able to do an init db if I create a folder called data in the
pgdata,
> but I was not sure if it then would use that folder for all the files =
(I
> just want my data to be there).

Ah - there you go then. All files live there unless you use=20
tablespaces/symbolic links.

> I also want to move my wal files to the /wal drives once I get it to =
start
> using pgdata drive for data.
>=20
> I got some info on this
>=20
> 0) backup your data
> 1) stop postmaster and verify.
> 2) cd $PGDATA; mv pg_xlog original_pg_xlog; ln -s /wal pg_xlog; cp=20
> original_pg_xlog/* pg_xlog
> 3) start postmaster and confirm correct startup in log files.
>=20
> Will this work? I am guessing this info would be in the var/lib folder =
not
> the /pgdata folder?

Well, what you might want to do is:
1. Setup your .../pgsql/data folder on the WAL drive.
2. initb that location
3. Set up a tablespace for your data on the other drive(s)

You can then have a default location for your database, and even move a=20
single table over to its own drive(s) if that's what you need. Details=20
in the manuals (start at chapter 18, then check the details in the SQL=20
reference).

I'd test it with a sample database first, make sure you're practiced=20
with it. Oh - if you do filesystem backups when the database is stopped, =

make sure you remember to back up the alternate tablespace.

> Thanks in advance and sorry for asking so many dumb newb questions.
>=20
> Least this time the install of 8 went super smooth, just went to the
> postgres site and got the rpm's (Since I did not install 7 with the OS =
it
> asked for the fedora cd's a few times but all rpm's went ok).

Excellent.

> On the 8.1 files which are in tar files do I need to get those as well =
to
> get to 8.1 if so what is the procedure other then copying the files to =
my
> system (I have the .tar.bz)

It'll be 8.0.1 rather then 8.1 and they'll be source files. You unpack=20
them run configure and make and out pops a new version of PG. I'd=20
recommend sticking with the RPMs for the moment.

--
   Richard Huxton
   Archonet Ltd