pgBackRest is a PostgreSQL-aware backup and restore tool for replacing error-prone manual backups with scheduled, monitored operations. It supports complex schedules, multiple servers and locations, retention policies, varied transfer methods, and parallelization. section 9.3
A tempting practice is to back up database servers manually. That approach does not scale and leaves failures undiscovered. Configure pgBackRest or comparable dedicated software for automation, maintain a redundant copy in another location, and use continuous WAL archiving when point-in-time recovery is required. section 9.3 section 9.7
A safer backup architecture
Install pgBackRest and configure its backup schedule and repositories instead of asking operators to perform frequent backups across dozens or hundreds of servers. Pair scheduled backups with continuous WAL archiving for PITR, retain a copy in a second location, and perform a full restore test rather than trusting successful backup commands alone. section 9.3 section 9.7
Figure 9.2 A sample PostgreSQL backup setup with a dedicated Barman server and geographical redundancy showing the possible transfer paths
Use the backup-architecture diagram to compare dedicated backup-server placement, geographical redundancy, and possible transfer paths. section 9.3
