Files
repmgr/FAQ.md
Ian Barwick 491309f4ba Write events of note to a log table
This makes keeping track of events such as failovers
much easier. Note that this is for convenience and is
not a foolproof auditing log.

Sample output:

repmgr_db=# SELECT * from repmgr_test.repl_events ;
 node_id |          event           | successful |        event_timestamp        |                         details
---------+--------------------------+------------+-------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------
       1 | master_register          | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:08.196636+09 |
       2 | standby_clone            | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:17.660768+09 | Backup method: pg_basebackup; --force: N
       2 | standby_register         | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:18.762222+09 |
       4 | witness_create           | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:22.072815+09 |
       3 | standby_clone            | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:23.524673+09 | Backup method: pg_basebackup; --force: N
       3 | standby_register         | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:24.620161+09 |
       2 | repmgrd_start            | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:29.639096+09 |
       3 | repmgrd_start            | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:29.641489+09 |
       4 | repmgrd_start            | t          | 2015-03-06 14:14:29.648002+09 |
       2 | standby_promote          | t          | 2015-03-06 14:15:01.956737+09 | Node 2 was successfully be promoted to master
       2 | repmgrd_failover_promote | t          | 2015-03-06 14:15:01.964771+09 | Node 2 promoted to master; old master 1 marked as failed
       3 | repmgrd_failover_follow  | t          | 2015-03-06 14:15:07.228493+09 | Node 3 now following new upstream node 2
(12 rows)
2015-03-06 14:35:41 +09:00

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3.4 KiB
Markdown

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about repmgr
=============================================
This FAQ applies to `repmgr` 3.0 and later.
General
-------
- What's the difference between the repmgr versions?
repmgr v3 builds on the improved replication facilities added
in PostgreSQL 9.3, as well as improved automated failover support
via `repmgrd`, and is not compatible with PostgreSQL 9.2 and earlier.
repmgr v2 supports PostgreSQL 9.0 onwards. While it is compatible
with PostgreSQL 9.3 and later, we recommend repmgr v3.
- What's the advantage of using replication slots?
Replication slots, introduced in PostgreSQL 9.4, ensure that the
master server will retain WAL files until they have been consumed
by all standby servers. This makes WAL file management much easier,
and if used `repmgr` will no longer insist on a fixed number (default: 5000)
of WAL files being preserved.
(However this does mean that if a standby is no longer connected to the
master, the master will retain WAL files indefinitely).
- What's the difference between the `repl_status` view and `repl_events`
table?
The `repl_status` view shows the latest node status as reported by
`repmgrd` and is useful for monitoring current lag.
`repl_events` is a record of significant events which have
taken place, such as a node being registered or a failover event.
`repmgr`
--------
- When should I use the --rsync-only option?
By default, `repmgr` uses `pg_basebackup` to clone a standby from
a master. However, `pg_basebackup` copies the entire data directory, which
can take some time depending on installation size. If you have an
existing but "stale" standby, `repmgr` can use `rsync` instead,
which means only changed or added files need to be copied.
- Can I register an existing master/standby?
Yes, this is no problem.
- How can a failed master be re-added as a standby?
- Is there an easy way to check my master server is correctly configured
for use with `repmgr`?
Yes - execute `repmgr` with the `--check-upstream-config` option, and it
will let you know which items in `postgresql.conf` need to be modified.
- Even though I specified custom `rsync` options, `rempgr` appends
the `--checksum` - why?
When syncing a stale data directory from an active server, it's
essential that `rsync` compares the content of files rather than
just timestamp and size, to ensure that all changed files are
copied and prevent corruption.
- How can I prevent `rempgr` from copying `postgresql.conf` and
`pg_hba.conf` from the PostgreSQL configuration directory in `/etc`?
Include the option `ignore_external_config_files=1` in `repmgr.conf`
- How can I prevent `rempgr` from copying local configuration files
in the data directory?
If you're updating an existing but stale data directory which
contains e.g. configuration files you don't want to be overwritten
with the same file from the master, specify the files in the
`rsync_options` configuration option, e.g.
rsync_options=--exclude=postgresql.local.conf
This option is only available when using the `--rsync-only` option.
`repmgrd`
---------
- Do I need a witness server?
Not necessarily. However if you have an uneven number of nodes spread
over more than one network segment, a witness server will enable
better handling of a 'split brain' situation by providing a "casting
vote" on the preferred network segment.