Thread: migration from PointBase to PostgreSQL

1. get an ascii dump of the source database.

2. check if for consistency if you're ambitious or suspicion by nature
(or you've been through this a number of times before and discovered
that this is _always_ necessary)

3. create the target database/schema

4. convert source data to target as per differences in the two schema

5. resolve all the inconsistencies you missed in the first pass

6. load the tables of the target via COPY, starting with those that have
no foreign keep dependencies, followed by their dependents.

7. resolve all the inconsistencies you missed in the second pass

repeat 6 and 7 'til the cows come home



On 10/07/2010 10:35 AM, Frank Zhao wrote:
> We are supposed to migrate PointBase to PostgreSQL.
>
> Do you have any advice on how we should approach this, and how to do
> estimation on the workload?
>
> The current PointBase is running on Hub and Spoke by using UniSync for
> backup and restore purposes. Is there any similar technology of UniSync
> in PostgreSQL.
>
>
> I am new to both PostgreSQL and PointBase.
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Frank
>
> **************** CAUTION - Disclaimer *****************
> This e-mail contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely
> for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, please
> notify the sender by e-mail and delete the original message. Further, you are not
> to copy, disclose, or distribute this e-mail or its contents to any other person and
> any such actions are unlawful. This e-mail may contain viruses. Infosys has taken
> every reasonable precaution to minimize this risk, but is not liable for any damage
> you may sustain as a result of any virus in this e-mail. You should carry out your
> own virus checks before opening the e-mail or attachment. Infosys reserves the
> right to monitor and review the content of all messages sent to or from this e-mail
> address. Messages sent to or from this e-mail address may be stored on the
> Infosys e-mail system.
> ***INFOSYS******** End of Disclaimer ********INFOSYS***
>

On 8/10/2010 12:35 AM, Frank Zhao wrote:
> We are supposed to migrate PointBase to PostgreSQL.
>
> Do you have any advice on how we should approach this, and how to do
> estimation on the workload?
>
> The current PointBase is running on Hub and Spoke by using UniSync for
> backup and restore purposes. Is there any similar technology of UniSync
> in PostgreSQL.

As you haven't told anybody what UniSync *is* or provided suitable
links, I'm going to guess it's some kind of replication system. If it
isn't, please provide a description or direct links to useful info so
nobody has to try to hunt around on Google.

If you need replication, you have options including:

- Slony, Bucardo, etc
- Built-in 9.0 master-slave replication

See:

http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Replication,_Clustering,_and_Connection_Pooling

> I am new to both PostgreSQL and PointBase.

Wow, what a fun task to drop on someone new to _both_ platforms. I don't
envy you.

Consider hiring someone with experience in database
migration/conversion. It'll probably save you money and time in the long
run. See: http://www.postgresql.org/support/professional_support . It's
worth taking note of which of the companies listed there regularly have
people showing up on the mailing lists (using the archives), rather
doing incident support but not participating in the community.

--
Craig Ringer

Tech-related writing at http://soapyfrogs.blogspot.com/