Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Newsletter Hub
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
timer SALE ENDS IN
0 Days
:
00 Hours
:
00 Minutes
:
00 Seconds
PostgreSQL High Performance Cookbook
PostgreSQL High Performance Cookbook

PostgreSQL High Performance Cookbook: Mastering query optimization, database monitoring, and performance-tuning for PostgreSQL

Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Chauhan Profile Icon Dinesh Kumar
Arrow right icon
Mex$699.99 Mex$1000.99
eBook Mar 2017 360 pages 1st Edition
eBook
Mex$699.99 Mex$1000.99
Paperback
Mex$1251.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Chauhan Profile Icon Dinesh Kumar
Arrow right icon
Mex$699.99 Mex$1000.99
eBook Mar 2017 360 pages 1st Edition
eBook
Mex$699.99 Mex$1000.99
Paperback
Mex$1251.99
Subscription
Free Trial
eBook
Mex$699.99 Mex$1000.99
Paperback
Mex$1251.99
Subscription
Free Trial

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Billing Address

Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

PostgreSQL High Performance Cookbook

Chapter 2. Server Configuration and Control

In this chapter, we will cover the following:

  • Starting the database server manually
  • Stopping the server quickly
  • Stopping the server in an emergency
  • Reloading server configuration
  • Restarting the database server quickly
  • Tuning connection-related parameters
  • Tuning query-planning parameters
  • Tuning logging-related parameters

Introduction

This chapter basically deals with the server architecture and server control. Initially, we will discuss the different options available to start and stop the PostgreSQL server. As an administrator, one should be aware of the different methods available in order to use the appropriate option in emergency situations or during maintenance operations. We then move onto discussing different server parameters and the tuning aspects related to them. Some important server parameters that help improve the overall server throughput and performance are discussed here from an optimization perspective.

Starting the server manually

Normally, a PostgreSQL server will start automatically when the system boots up. If an automatic start is not enabled for a server, we would need to start the server manually. This may be required even for operational reasons.

Getting ready

Before we talk about how to start the database server, first we need to understand the difference between server and service. The term server refers to the database server and its processes, whereas the term service essentially indicates the operating system wrapper through which the server gets called.

How to do it...

On a majority of platforms, that is, Linux and Unix distributions, we can start the server using the pg_ctl command-line utility as shown here:

pg_ctl -D <location of data directory> start

Consider the following example:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data start

The -D switch of the pg_ctl command indicates the data directory of the PostgreSQL server. In the preceding command, the data directory is...

Stopping the server quickly

There are different modes available to stop the PostgreSQL server. Here we will talk about the mode in which we can stop the server quickly.

Getting ready

The pg_ctl command is used in combination with the stop option in order to stop the PostgreSQL server.

How to do it...

We can use the following command to stop the server quickly on Red Hat-based Linux distributions and other Unix-based systems:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data -m fast stop

Here, /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data is the location of the data directory.

How it works...

The -m fast option must be used in order to shut down as quickly as possible. In case of a normal shutdown, PostgreSQL will wait for all users to finish their transactions before halting and on a busy system this can sometimes take a very long time.

While initiating a fast stop with the -m fast option of the pg_ctl command, all the users will have their transactions aborted and all connections are disconnected. However, this is a clean shutdown...

Stopping the server in an emergency

In this recipe, we will show you the command that can be used to stop the server in an emergency situation.

How to do it...

We can use the following command to stop the PostgreSQL server in an emergency:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data stop -m immediate

Here, the data directory location is defined at /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data.

How it works...

The moment the immediate stop mode is used with the pg_ctl command, all the users have their transactions aborted and the existing connections are terminated. There is no system checkpoint either and the database basically requires crash recovery at the time of database restart.

In this shutdown mode, the PostgresSQL process will issue a direct SIGQUIT signal to each of the child processes, by including the backend processes such as bgwriter, autovacuum, and recovery processes. However, in smart shutdown mode, the PostgreSQL process will wait until these processes are terminated and then shut down the...

Reloading server configuration

In this recipe, we will talk about the command that can be used to reload the server configuration and its parameters.

Getting ready

If any of the server parameters come into effect after reloading the server configuration files, such as postgresql.conf, then we need to reload the server configuration using the reload option of the pg_ctl command.

How to do it...

We can use the following command to reload the server configuration on Red Hat-based Linux and Unix distributions:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data reload

You can also reload the configuration using the pg_reload_conf function while still being connected to PostgreSQL .The usage of the pg_reload_conf function is mentioned as follows:

postgres=# select pg_reload_conf();

How it works...

The reload mode of the pg_ctl command is used to send the postgres process a SIGHUP signal, which in turn causes it to reload its configuration files such as postgresql.conf and pg_hba.conf. The benefit...

Introduction


This chapter basically deals with the server architecture and server control. Initially, we will discuss the different options available to start and stop the PostgreSQL server. As an administrator, one should be aware of the different methods available in order to use the appropriate option in emergency situations or during maintenance operations. We then move onto discussing different server parameters and the tuning aspects related to them. Some important server parameters that help improve the overall server throughput and performance are discussed here from an optimization perspective.

Starting the server manually


Normally, a PostgreSQL server will start automatically when the system boots up. If an automatic start is not enabled for a server, we would need to start the server manually. This may be required even for operational reasons.

Getting ready

Before we talk about how to start the database server, first we need to understand the difference between server and service. The term server refers to the database server and its processes, whereas the term service essentially indicates the operating system wrapper through which the server gets called.

How to do it...

On a majority of platforms, that is, Linux and Unix distributions, we can start the server using the pg_ctl command-line utility as shown here:

pg_ctl -D <location of data directory> start

Consider the following example:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data start

The -D switch of the pg_ctl command indicates the data directory of the PostgreSQL server. In the preceding command, the data directory is defined at...

Stopping the server quickly


There are different modes available to stop the PostgreSQL server. Here we will talk about the mode in which we can stop the server quickly.

Getting ready

The pg_ctl command is used in combination with the stop option in order to stop the PostgreSQL server.

How to do it...

We can use the following command to stop the server quickly on Red Hat-based Linux distributions and other Unix-based systems:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data -m fast stop

Here, /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data is the location of the data directory.

How it works...

The -m fast option must be used in order to shut down as quickly as possible. In case of a normal shutdown, PostgreSQL will wait for all users to finish their transactions before halting and on a busy system this can sometimes take a very long time.

While initiating a fast stop with the -m fast option of the pg_ctl command, all the users will have their transactions aborted and all connections are disconnected. However, this is a clean shutdown...

Stopping the server in an emergency


In this recipe, we will show you the command that can be used to stop the server in an emergency situation.

How to do it...

We can use the following command to stop the PostgreSQL server in an emergency:

pg_ctl -D /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data stop -m immediate

Here, the data directory location is defined at /var/lib/pgsql/9.6/data.

How it works...

The moment the immediate stop mode is used with the pg_ctl command, all the users have their transactions aborted and the existing connections are terminated. There is no system checkpoint either and the database basically requires crash recovery at the time of database restart.

In this shutdown mode, the PostgresSQL process will issue a direct SIGQUIT signal to each of the child processes, by including the backend processes such as bgwriter, autovacuum, and recovery processes. However, in smart shutdown mode, the PostgreSQL process will wait until these processes are terminated and then shut down the postmaster process...

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon
Download code icon Download Code

Key benefits

  • Perform essential database tasks such as benchmarking the database and optimizing the server’s memory usage
  • Learn ways to improve query performance and optimize the PostgreSQL server
  • Explore a wide range of high availability and replication mechanisms to build robust, highly available, scalable, and fault-tolerant PostgreSQL databases

Description

PostgreSQL is one of the most powerful and easy to use database management systems. It has strong support from the community and is being actively developed with a new release every year. PostgreSQL supports the most advanced features included in SQL standards. It also provides NoSQL capabilities and very rich data types and extensions. All of this makes PostgreSQL a very attractive solution in software systems. If you run a database, you want it to perform well and you want to be able to secure it. As the world’s most advanced open source database, PostgreSQL has unique built-in ways to achieve these goals. This book will show you a multitude of ways to enhance your database’s performance and give you insights into measuring and optimizing a PostgreSQL database to achieve better performance. This book is your one-stop guide to elevate your PostgreSQL knowledge to the next level. First, you’ll get familiarized with essential developer/administrator concepts such as load balancing, connection pooling, and distributing connections to multiple nodes. Next, you will explore memory optimization techniques before exploring the security controls offered by PostgreSQL. Then, you will move on to the essential database/server monitoring and replication strategies with PostgreSQL. Finally, you will learn about query processing algorithms.

Who is this book for?

If you are a developer or administrator with limited PostgreSQL knowledge and want to develop your skills with this great open source database, then this book is ideal for you. Learning how to enhance the database performance is always an exciting topic to everyone, and this book will show you enough ways to enhance the database performance.

What you will learn

  • Build replication strategies for homogeneous and heterogeneous databases
  • Test and build a powerful machine with multiple bench marking techniques
  • Get to know a few SQL injection techniques
  • Find out how to manage the replication using multiple tools
  • Benchmark the database server using multiple strategies
  • Work with the query processing algorithms and their internal behaviors
  • Build a proper plan to upgrade or migrate to PostgreSQL from other databases
  • See the essential database load balancing techniques and the various partitioning approaches PostgreSQL provides
  • Learn memory optimization techniques and database server configurations

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Mar 29, 2017
Length: 360 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785287244
Vendor :
PostgreSQL Global Development Group
Category :
Tools :

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Billing Address

Product Details

Publication date : Mar 29, 2017
Length: 360 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785287244
Vendor :
PostgreSQL Global Development Group
Category :
Tools :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just Mex$85 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just Mex$85 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total Mex$ 3,857.97
PostgreSQL High Availability Cookbook
Mex$1251.99
PostgreSQL High Performance Cookbook
Mex$1251.99
PostgreSQL Administration Cookbook, 9.5/9.6 Edition
Mex$1353.99
Total Mex$ 3,857.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

12 Chapters
1. Database Benchmarking Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Server Configuration and Control Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Device Optimization Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Monitoring Server Performance Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Connection Pooling and Database Partitioning Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. High Availability and Replication Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Working with Third-Party Replication Management Utilities Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Database Monitoring and Performance Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Vacuum Internals Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Data Migration from Other Databases to PostgreSQL and Upgrading the PostgreSQL Cluster Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Query Optimization Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
12. Database Indexing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

How do I buy and download an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Where there is an eBook version of a title available, you can buy it from the book details for that title. Add either the standalone eBook or the eBook and print book bundle to your shopping cart. Your eBook will show in your cart as a product on its own. After completing checkout and payment in the normal way, you will receive your receipt on the screen containing a link to a personalised PDF download file. This link will remain active for 30 days. You can download backup copies of the file by logging in to your account at any time.

If you already have Adobe reader installed, then clicking on the link will download and open the PDF file directly. If you don't, then save the PDF file on your machine and download the Reader to view it.

Please Note: Packt eBooks are non-returnable and non-refundable.

Packt eBook and Licensing When you buy an eBook from Packt Publishing, completing your purchase means you accept the terms of our licence agreement. Please read the full text of the agreement. In it we have tried to balance the need for the ebook to be usable for you the reader with our needs to protect the rights of us as Publishers and of our authors. In summary, the agreement says:

  • You may make copies of your eBook for your own use onto any machine
  • You may not pass copies of the eBook on to anyone else
How can I make a purchase on your website? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

If you want to purchase a video course, eBook or Bundle (Print+eBook) please follow below steps:

  1. Register on our website using your email address and the password.
  2. Search for the title by name or ISBN using the search option.
  3. Select the title you want to purchase.
  4. Choose the format you wish to purchase the title in; if you order the Print Book, you get a free eBook copy of the same title. 
  5. Proceed with the checkout process (payment to be made using Credit Card, Debit Cart, or PayPal)
Where can I access support around an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • If you experience a problem with using or installing Adobe Reader, the contact Adobe directly.
  • To view the errata for the book, see www.packtpub.com/support and view the pages for the title you have.
  • To view your account details or to download a new copy of the book go to www.packtpub.com/account
  • To contact us directly if a problem is not resolved, use www.packtpub.com/contact-us
What eBook formats do Packt support? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Our eBooks are currently available in a variety of formats such as PDF and ePubs. In the future, this may well change with trends and development in technology, but please note that our PDFs are not Adobe eBook Reader format, which has greater restrictions on security.

You will need to use Adobe Reader v9 or later in order to read Packt's PDF eBooks.

What are the benefits of eBooks? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • You can get the information you need immediately
  • You can easily take them with you on a laptop
  • You can download them an unlimited number of times
  • You can print them out
  • They are copy-paste enabled
  • They are searchable
  • There is no password protection
  • They are lower price than print
  • They save resources and space
What is an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Packt eBooks are a complete electronic version of the print edition, available in PDF and ePub formats. Every piece of content down to the page numbering is the same. Because we save the costs of printing and shipping the book to you, we are able to offer eBooks at a lower cost than print editions.

When you have purchased an eBook, simply login to your account and click on the link in Your Download Area. We recommend you saving the file to your hard drive before opening it.

For optimal viewing of our eBooks, we recommend you download and install the free Adobe Reader version 9.