"dubois"<dubois(at)bol(dot)com(dot)br> writes:
> I want to make a backup copy of a
> database...
> What I have to do?
pg_dumpall is the recommended answer.
> Do I have just to copy the directory
> at
> /var/lib/pgsql/base ?
This is NOT sufficient.
Copying the entire $PGDATA directory (not only the base/ subdirectory)
is sufficient, if and only if the database is completely idle while you
do it --- I'd recommend stopping the postmaster to be sure. Otherwise
you will get inconsistent files. In particular, you WILL have problems
if $PGDATA/pg_log is out of sync with any table data file.
regards, tom lane