> On Dec 6, 2013, at 11:07, Craig James <cjames@emolecules.com> wrote: > > After I rsync the postgres data directory, do I need the WAL files from the source (they're on a separate disk, not part of the postgres data directory)? Can/should I erase the WAL directory of the destination?
Yes, you need the WAL files.
Now I have two directly conflicting answers. You say the WAL files are needed even though the DB is shut off, and Payal Singh says I don't need the WAL files (but I don't think he cc'd the mailing list).
Why are the WAL files necessary if the DB is shut off? Why can't they just be erased?
It's a gigabyte of copying that I was hoping to avoid.