Re: upgrading postgresql

2 bits of wisdom:

1. As mentioned below, always try this upgrade on a test/ offline/
sandbox/ development/ testing /etc server first

> -- Clean out the $PGDATA directory (keep a copy of your pg_hba.conf and
> postgresql.conf for reference)

2. A simple 'mv data/ data73/' after pg shutdown keeps your 7.3 DB around
incase something goes terribly wrong (i have had some dumps that would
*not* re-import themselves due to illegal characters). If you need to get
back online asap, just slip the 7.3 rpms back in, and 'mv data73 data'

> I'd recommend a test run of the major upgrade procedures you're planning
> on doing on a backup machine in case you run into some problems. Use of
> a replication engine, like Slony as well as pgpool can allow you to
> seamlessly upgrade your installation while it stays online. I'd
> practice this too on a backup system before going after the live
> servers.

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[ >X< Christian Fowler | spider AT viovio.com
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