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Database

Everything our consultants learn while running databases for customers: Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB and Delphix. Expect hands-on posts about installation, day-to-day administration, backup and recovery, performance tuning, replication and upgrades.

FreeBSD basics – 5 – Providing services using Jails

This post builds on top of the previous post in which we’ve created a simple thin Jail. The goal of this post is, to put a bit of automation around this and to provide a simple PostgreSQL as a service platform. We want to do this by creating one PostgreSQL instance per Jail (without any restrictions on resource usage for… 

Convert Single Instance database to RAC on an ODA

In this article, I will show you how to convert a SI (Single Instance) database to a RAC database on an ODA using rconfig. Of course this is only possible with the ODA 2-HA model as it comes with a 2 nodes cluster. There is no way to do RAC database on the ODA light model. I will also ensure… 

DPR and Dbvisit Standby on ODA

Introduction Since patch version 19.21 (current one is 19.25), Oracle Database Appliance (ODA) X7, X8 and X9 will require the use of Data Preserving Reprovisioning (DPR) to apply the patch coming from 19.20 and previous releases. Unlike traditional patching, DPR erases the system disks but keeps data on ASM/ACFS disks. Data means databases, ACFS volumes, DB homes, DB Systems and… 

PostgreSQL: Maybe we should give ZFS a chance (2) – testing

In the last post we’ve set the baseline for comparing ext4 to zfs when it comes to PostgreSQL. We’ve ended with two PostgreSQL clusters, one running on the ext4 file system while the other is running on top of the ZFS file system. In this post we’ll look at how they compare when it comes to performance and the data… 

New SQL Server Management Studio Version 21 – First Test

Last week, at the Pass Data Summit, they announce the new version of SQL Server Management Studio: SSMS 21 You can find the preview in here. It’s a good opportunity to test this new version before installing it by customers… After downloading the file vs_SSMS.exe (4,3 MB), start the file to doanload and install it. For the installation, you have… 

Postgresql Security with Builtin Roles and functions.

Introduction As PostgreSQL continues to gain traction in enterprise-grade applications, I am increasingly tasked and asked about implementing robust security policies. And, as most current DBA positions are multi-systems nowadays, I wanted to make a quick summary on roles and how they can be leveraged to implement those policies. For those accustomed to managing accounts through Active Directory Security Groups… 

PostgreSQL: Maybe we should give ZFS a chance (1) – baseline

Recently I’ve switched my PostgreSQL playground from Linux to FreeBSD. Not because I don’t like Linux anymore, just because I like trying out other operating systems and see what works the same and what is different. When you install FreeBSD and stick to the defaults, you’ll get a ZFS root filesystem and usually I don’t create separate partitions/mounts in my… 

PostgreSQL: Delaying authentication to debug a process

While investigating a customer issue (details here) one of the replies suggested to use pre_auth_delay to add a delay before a session is authenticated. Even if this was not useful for the actual issue, this can be very useful for other scenarios, and this is the reason for this short blog post. Let’s assume you know that some of your… 

PostgreSQL Conference Europe 2024 – Last day

As I reflect on my last day at PGConf.EU 2024 in the beautiful city of Athens, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and excitement. The conference was a melting pot of innovation, knowledge sharing, and community spirit, all centered around PostgreSQL—a project that continues to inspire and evolve. Here are few of the talks I attended :…