PostgreSQL Database backup (linux)

Anon

Currently we are utilizing Novell to backup our Access/Visual Dbase databases, but we are in the process of developing applications that will be using Postgres as the DB server, and will have to use Linux to support our backups as opposed to Novell, due to compatibility issues. Unfortunately we can not place our data into production until we have a facility that will allow us to backup our tables that are stored in Postgres. How can we backup our data utilizing Postgres and Linux? Furthermore, we do not have a driver that will allow Postgres to recognize our existing tape drives. Please help!!!!!!

Anon

Can't do anything about the driver and tape drive problem
("That's a hardware issue," said the programmer) but
as far as backing up PostgreSQL data you can either
use pg_dump to dump the data from an individual database,
or pg_dumpall which does the same for all databases.
Either way, you get a file that can then be backup up
using tar or any other method you like.

Anon

Hey Shonda,

First off, I like that name.

Now let's get too business. I agree with Kirk as far as doing pgdump or something along those lines.

Now on the driver issue for your tape drive, there should be a package in any Linux distribution worth it's salt called "Taper". It should to the best of my knowledge provide a method of working with your tape drive provided it's a supported model.

Here are some links to it....

http://www.e-survey.net.au/taper/
You can also search for it at freshmeat.net if for some reason the above fails to work.

Let me know of that helps you.

Later on,
Terrence

Anon

Hey Shonda,

er.... ooopps! I forgot that you will also need something like ftape or zftape if you are using a drive that connects through the floppy controller. Let me know what kind of drive you have.

Later on,
Terrence

Anon

Hi Terrence, thanks for the compliment, I like your name as well. My mother did not have a name for me, so the nurse named me about 5 minutes before checkout... lol...

Also, thank you for the information, I will definitely check into "Taper" as well as generating a pgdump. I will be sure to get back with you as far as the type of drive that we have. While working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) I have noticed bits and pieces of miscellaneous hardware/software. We are running both Linux and Novell. However, it has been discovered (on a dusty shelf) that we also have the NT Terminal. We have discussed replacing Linux with NT so that we may run Postgres off of the NT platform.

Thank you,
Shonda

Anon

Thanks for the information Kirk... I appreciate it....shonda

Anon

Law enforcement eh? Before rediscovering my love of computing (cheese), I worked for the dept of Corrections in California for almost eight years

But that was then and this is now.

So you guys are thinking about NT? That's not my first choice. I didn't even know they made a Postgress variant for NT. One things is for sure. It will be easier to deal with the hardware (tape drive) from NT. However, you may wish to consider what you priorities are. A stable platform, or ease of use? Also, to help admin the Postgress db, there is a program called phpPgAdmin that enables db administration (for a good deal of things at least) through your browser. It can be found here.

http://www.phpwizard.net/projects/phpPgAdmin/

Hope that helps,
Terrence