Re: safe to clear pg_xlog archive status directory?

Rather than manually syncing the master to the slave, it would be better to use pg_basebackup (http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/app-pgbasebackup.html). This will copy the running master to the slave, and assuming the recovery.conf is in place on the slave, it can be restarted into recovery mode almost immediately.

From: pgsql-admin-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org [mailto:pgsql-admin-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org] On Behalf Of Burgholzer, Robert (DEQ)
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 10:49 AM
To: pgsql-admin(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: [ADMIN] safe to clear pg_xlog archive status directory?

I am working through getting a warm standby up and running. I have fumbled a bit, including having a non responsive standby node for a hile, which led (I think) to a big pile of "ready" files in the "pg_xlog/archive_status" directory. My thought is that I need to start fresh, so here is the process that I envision (someone please let me know if I am making mental errors):

#1 - turn off archiving on the master, restart
#2 - shut down postgresql on the replicant
#3 - clear the pg_xlog/archive_status/ dir, with an "rm pg_xlog/archive_status/*" command
#4 - perform a fresh rsync backup of my master to my replicant
#5 - bring my replicant back up into standby mode
#6 - re-enable archiving on the master and restart the postmaster

Thanks in advance,
r.b.

Robert Burgholzer
Surface Water Modeler
Virginia DEQ Office of Surface and Ground Water Supply
804-869-3066