Thread: install new version of Redhat without deleting /var/lib/pgsql ? Is it enough ?

Hello erverybody,
I need to install a new version of Redhat on my server.
On the distro, pgsql data are in : /var/lib/pgsql (which is mounted on
its own partition).
Can I "just" install the new version of Redhat, reinstall the same
version of Postgresql (7.4.8) ?
I'll do a pgdump all just in case

Thanks !

On Wed, 2005-10-19 at 10:47, FM wrote:
> Hello erverybody,
> I need to install a new version of Redhat on my server.
> On the distro, pgsql data are in : /var/lib/pgsql (which is mounted on
> its own partition).
> Can I "just" install the new version of Redhat, reinstall the same
> version of Postgresql (7.4.8) ?
> I'll do a pgdump all just in case

It might work, but there are no guarantees.  The two versions basically
need to have been compiled with a few different settings the same, or
the new version won't be able to run on the old versions data
directory.  Worth a try though.  As long as you have that pg_dump
sitting around.

The new version will update your postgresql packages. It shouldn't wipe your data files, since /etc/init.d/postgresql
scriptchecks if there are data in the specified directory. Then you must erase those postgresql (rpm -qa|grep postgres
willlist packages installed), and install yours. 

But, if new subversion is the same (example 7._4_.8 and 7._4_.9 but it's and unchecked and probably not real example),
thescript could run and the engine will run (it won't delete your files). 

I would perform a backup anyway.

-----Mensaje original-----
De: pgsql-admin-owner@postgresql.org
[mailto:pgsql-admin-owner@postgresql.org]En nombre de FM
Enviado el: miércoles, 19 de octubre de 2005 12:47
Para: Mailing List Postgres-Admin
Asunto: [ADMIN] install new version of Redhat without deleting
/var/lib/pgsql ? Is it enough ?


Hello erverybody,
I need to install a new version of Redhat on my server.
On the distro, pgsql data are in : /var/lib/pgsql (which is mounted on
its own partition).
Can I "just" install the new version of Redhat, reinstall the same
version of Postgresql (7.4.8) ?
I'll do a pgdump all just in case

Thanks !

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I'm usung postgresql.org RPMS so the RPMS will be exactly the same.
Of course I'll do my pgdump before my try.

Thank to you all !

Scott Marlowe wrote:
> On Wed, 2005-10-19 at 10:47, FM wrote:
>
>>Hello erverybody,
>>I need to install a new version of Redhat on my server.
>>On the distro, pgsql data are in : /var/lib/pgsql (which is mounted on
>>its own partition).
>>Can I "just" install the new version of Redhat, reinstall the same
>>version of Postgresql (7.4.8) ?
>>I'll do a pgdump all just in case
>
>
> It might work, but there are no guarantees.  The two versions basically
> need to have been compiled with a few different settings the same, or
> the new version won't be able to run on the old versions data
> directory.  Worth a try though.  As long as you have that pg_dump
> sitting around.
>
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