PostgreSQL Disaster Recovery: Key Strategies to Protect Your Data

Disaster recovery (DR) in PostgreSQL is a business-critical necessity, not just a technical requirement. From unexpected hardware failures to accidental data deletions, a robust DR plan ensures minimal downtime and faster recovery.

Why It Matters:

• Safeguards data integrity and ensures business continuity.

• Meets compliance standards.

• Protects against data loss due to system or human errors.

Key Components of a Solid PostgreSQL DR Plan:

1. Backups
   Full, incremental, and differential backups using tools like pgbackrest, Barman, and pg_basebackup. Backups are your primary safety net for data recovery.

2. WAL & PITR
   PostgreSQL’s Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) enables Point-in-Time Recovery, allowing restoration to a precise moment before failure.

3. Replication & Delayed Replica
   Replication ensures high availability, while delayed replicas help recover from human errors like accidental drops.

4. Monitoring
   Tools like pgwatch2 provide real-time insights to catch issues early.

5. Understand RPO & RTO
   Define how much data loss (RPO) and downtime (RTO) your business can tolerate.

6. Testing & Documentation
   Regularly test recovery procedures and maintain clear documentation to act swiftly during real incidents.

Backup Methods You Should Know:

• Physical Backups: Ideal for full database restoration.

• Logical Backups: Flexible and portable, great for migrations and selective restores.

• PITR Support: Combines base backups with WAL for precise recovery.

From replication to point-in-time recovery and monitoring tools, each piece plays a role in disaster preparedness. But how do you implement these effectively?

Read the Full Guide on Mydbops to learn how to design a resilient DR plan for PostgreSQL and choose the right tools for your business.