PostgreSQL 9.0 High Performance

If you’re an intermediate to advanced database administrator, this book is the shortcut to optimizing and troubleshooting your PostgreSQL database. With a balanced mix of theory and practice, it will quickly hone your expertise.

Key Features
Learn the right techniques to obtain optimal PostgreSQL database performance, from initial design to routine maintenanceDiscover the techniques used to scale successful database installationsAvoid the common pitfalls that can slow your system downFilled with advice about what you should be doing; how to build experimental databases to explore performance topics, and then move what you've learned into a production database environmentCovers versions 8.1 through 9.0
Book Description
PostgreSQL database servers have a common set of problems they encounter as their usage gets heavier and requirements more demanding. You could spend years discovering solutions to them all, step by step as you encounter them. Or you can just look in here.All successful database applications are destined to eventually run into issues scaling up their performance. Peek into the future of your PostgreSQL database's problems today. Know the warning signs to look for, and how to avoid the most common issues before they even happen.Surprisingly, most PostgreSQL database applications evolve in the same way: Choose the right hardware. Tune the operating system and server memory use. Optimize queries against the database, with the right indexes. Monitor every layer, from hardware to queries, using some tools that are inside PostgreSQL and others that are external.

Using monitoring insight, continuously rework the design and configuration. On reaching the limits of a single server, break things up; connection pooling, caching, partitioning, and replication can all help handle increasing database workloads.

The path to a high performance database system isn't always easy. But it doesn't have to be mysterious with the right guide.
What you will learn
Learn best practices culled from years of work scaling PostgreSQL installations to handle demanding applicationsUncover what makes hardware good or bad for high-performance database applicationsInvestigate making informed speed and reliability trade-offsTweak your operating system for best database performanceBenchmark your whole system from hardware to applicationLearn how the server parameters that impact performance work using real examplesUnderstand how the query optimizer makes its decisions, and what to do when it makes the wrong onesMonitor what happens on your server, both in and outside of the databaseFind the best add-on tools that extend the core PostgreSQL databaseDiscover how to architect replicated systems using the latest features added to PostgreSQL 9.0
Who this book is for
This book is aimed at intermediate to advanced database administrators using or planning to use PostgreSQL. Portions will also interest systems administrators looking to build or monitor a PostgreSQL installation, as well as developers interested in advanced database internals that impact application design.