Migrate PostgreSQL Database to another Server Toolkit

PostgreSQL migration is crucial when you need for either migrate Postgres database to another server or completely change a platform (e.g. migrate PostgreSQL to Microsoft SQL Server). Handy Backup software is both convenient and efficient Postgres migration tool!


Free Download

Version 8.4.6, built on April 25, 2023
116 MB

PostgreSQL Migration

How to Use Handy Backup as PostgreSQL Migration Toolkit?

The procedure of PostgreSQL migration to new server (presumably, using PostgreSQL as a destination DBMS) consists with two simple, completely automated steps:

  1. Backup PostgreSQL database to some place.
  2. Migrate PostgreSQL to another server using a copy of database from backup.

Here we put a short instruction describing programming the sequence for these actions in Handy Backup. Please read the appropriate sections of the User Manual for more detailed instructions about each step mentioned here.


Taking a PostgreSQL Backup

To create a PostgreSQL migration tool sequence, firstly make a PostgreSQL backup task. Note that you may need a data storage (such as an FTP server or an external USB drive) of an appropriate capacity to put your PostgreSQL backup data into (at least temporarily!).

  1. In Handy Backup, create a new backup task. Use either simple or advanced mode, as you wish.

Tip: In advanced mode, you will got a few extra steps and much more options for task setup. This can make a little distraction for unskilled users, but for well-developed backup strategies, it is very useful.

  1. Select PostgreSQL from the Database group on Step 2.
Select PostgreSQL from Databases
  1. If you still do not have a PostgreSQL configuration for migrating server, create a new.
  2. Click "Create a connection" and enter your PostgreSQL connection parameters in the dialog.
Select PostgreSQL data for Backup
  1. Now you have a configuration to back up PostgreSQL. Select it and choose migrating databases.
  2. Go to Step 3 and select storage where you will place your Postgres migration data.
  3. Proceed continuing creating a task with default parameters, according to your backup strategy. Here you can use such advanced parameters as differential and versioned backup on Step 4, scheduling and triggering a task on Step 6, and starting external software on Step 7.

Caveat: To take a snapshot for PostgreSQL migration, you must have a sufficient user privileges to use a PostgreSQL SELECT statement freely for creating a backup dump.

Using a Backup Dump to Migrate PostgreSQL to New Server

Next, you will need to create a new PostgreSQL restoration task to migrate Postgres database to another server. Please follow the instruction below:

  1. Create a new task and select restoration as a task type. Use advanced mode.
  2. On Step 2, select a backup location where you have saved your Postgres snapshot.
  3. Find a file backup.hbi, containing all data related to this particular backup. Click "Next".
Select PostgreSQL Restore Locations
  1. Click on the "Change Location" button. Select a new server to migrate PostgreSQL database.
  2. Click OK. Continue creating a task with default restoration parameters.

Note: Network solutions of Handy Backup (particularly the Server Network edition) can perform both backup and restore operations needed for PostgreSQL migration on remote machines in the local network! In addition, single-machine editions like Small Server can also access remote databases.

Implementing a PostgreSQL Migration Tool

Finally, you may migrate PostgreSQL to another server. To do it, start a backup task created in a previous instruction. After finishing this task, start a second part of the job – a restoration task. That is all! Your PostgreSQL migration will complete in fully automated mode!

An advice: Using the scheduling on the Step 6 of backup task (and the Step 4 or Step 5 of restore task), you can schedule your tasks to run automatically in an appropriate time (e.g. at evening after finishing workhours). This can save you some time and efforts, although may feel a bit uncontrollable (or no?).

Set PostgreSQL Mmigration Scheduling

How to Migrate PostgreSQL Database to New Server with Different DBMS?

Despite Handy Backup has no direct PostgreSQL migration tool for other database engines, you can always do a modest quantity of manual operations to migrate from PostgreSQL to MySQL or another DBMS architecture. The method of PostgreSQL migration has a base on native SQL dump format.

  • Handy Backup saves unencrypted, uncompressed PostgreSQL files as a sequence of SQL commands to re-create an original dataset when executing this sequence. You can always make necessary changes in this dump file to ensure PostgreSQL migration to new server DBMS.

Advantages of Handy Backup as PostgreSQL Migration Tool

Partial PostgreSQL Migration and Backup

Partial PostgreSQL Migration and Backup

With Handy Backup, you can take either full or differential backup for PostgreSQL migration, including an option of mixed full/differential backup in a cycled chain. It allows you saving much time and storage space during migrating routines.

Perfect Scheduler with Triggering by Events

Perfect Scheduler with Triggering by Events

Handy Backup allows not only performing PostgreSQL migration on a regular base, with a period between migration tasks starting from minutes to several months, but also triggering these tasks by some system event, such as logoff or inserting a task-related USB device into a server slot.

Free Download

Version 8.4.6, built on April 25, 2023
116 MB

Try how Handy Backup can automate moving a PostgreSQL database to another location or even to another DBMS (such as PostgreSQL to MySQL migration) by downloading and installing a freshest version of the program with all plug-ins available for a 30-day free trial!

Handy Backup compatibility was tested on PostgreSQL 15.1, 14.6, 13.9, 12.13 and 11.18.

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