Re: Backup docs

Magnus Hagander <magnus(at)hagander(dot)net> writes:
> - The procedure for making a base backup is relatively simple:
> + The easiest way to perform a base backup is to use the
> + <xref linkend="app-pgbasebackup"> tool. It can create
> + a base backup either as regular files or as a tar archive. If more
> + flexibility than <xref linkend="app-pgbasebackup"> can provide is
> + required, you can also make a base backup using the low level API
> + (see <xref linkend="backup-lowlevel-base-backup">).
> + </para>

Good start.

> + <para>
> + It is not necessary to be concerned about the amount of time it takes
> + to make a base backup. However, if you normally run the

Why not?

> + file, and can ordinarily be ignored.) Once you have safely archived
> + the file system backup and the WAL segment files used during the
> + backup (as specified in the backup history file), all archived WAL
> + segments with names numerically less are no longer needed to recover
> + the file system backup and can be deleted. However, you should
> + consider keeping several backup sets to be absolutely certain that
> + you can recover your data.
> + </para>

You're frighting off users when not detailing, I think. How to be
certain I can recover my data, is there a way that I can't when a backup
has been successfully made? How can I check?

Also I don't see mention of basebackup+wal files all in one with the -x
option, which I though would have to be addressed here?

Regards,
--
Dimitri Fontaine
http://2ndQuadrant.fr PostgreSQL : Expertise, Formation et Support