PG_DUMP backup

Dear all,

I have a server running 8.2.4 and has a database 170GB in size.
Currently I am backing it up using pg_dump and it takes around 28 hours, sadly.
I was asked to check and compare the newly created DUMP file to the live database and compare records.

I personally cannot see an easy or quick way of doing this, and even the point in doing so.
I am already restoring the full database to a separate server and no errors were reported.

How far can I trust pg_dump, can I trust a restore of the full DUMP to a separate server will be good enough?
The time it takes for me to:
1 - Backup it up
2 - Transfer the dump (12.7GB compressed) to the office across the internet
3 - Decompress the full dump locally which will be 105GB raw file
4 - Restore the full dump to a test server

It is easily a week to do all of that, when I have finished doing all of that if a problem has developed with my live
server,what good that test will be? How relevant that will be? How helpful? 

My question is:
1 - Is there a more efficient way of backing up such large database, using pg_dump or any other tool?
2 - Is there an easy way to compare the live database with the DUMP file just created?
3 - If I restore the database to a separate server, is there a point to do such a check, especially if it is going to
takesuck a long time to even start doing such a check? 

Idea:
Pg_dump to split the file into smaller usable chuncks, which could be restored one at time, is that possible?

PS I know about PITR but I can't implement it yet as I am still figuring out certain things with the restore process.

I would really appreciate helps, please?

Thank you very much in advance

Renato



Renato Oliveira
Systems Administrator
e-mail: renato.oliveira@grant.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1763 260811
Fax: +44 (0)1763 262410
http://www.grant.co.uk/

Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd

Company registered in England, registration number 658133

Registered office address:
29 Station Road,
Shepreth,
CAMBS SG8 6GB
UK








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