> Alex Pilosov wrote:
> >
> > > http://networkdna.com/database/index.html mentions that PostgreSQL is
> > > capable of "Online backup". What does that exactly mean?
> >
> > It means Postgres can do a reliable backup (a consistent snapshot) of a
> > database without shutting down the database.
>
> Hmmm. My backup procedure, based on earlier discussions in this group,
> involves blocking all write-access during a pg_dump. That is effectively
> shutting down the database from my perspective. Is there a quicker way
> to take a consistent snapshot while still allowing writes?
With 6.5 and 7.0, pg_dump grabs a consistent snapshot of the database at
the time it starts, and dumps that. No reason to shut out users.
--
Bruce Momjian | http://www.op.net/~candle
pgman@candle.pha.pa.us | (610) 853-3000
+ If your life is a hard drive, | 830 Blythe Avenue
+ Christ can be your backup. | Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026