Installing and Running PostgreSQL in the Cloud

Jul 21, 2021

Cirrus Data Solutions offers data migration services for customers seeking to move from on-premises installations to the cloud. In this blog, I will discuss migrating a PostgreSQL open-source database application’s block data to any cloud. Although PostgreSQL is open-source, some adjustments are needed to the installation procedure to run successfully in the cloud after the migration is complete. Cirrus Data’s customers use our web-based Cirrus Migrate Cloud software to migrate their data to any cloud. A few undocumented changes are needed to successfully configure, install, and run the application that I will detail in this blog. For this discussion, we will use a PostgreSQL database application running on a Linux server VM. The methodology described here can be used for any Linux OS, either physical or virtual.

A shortlist of hurdles that users need to get around are listed here:

Web GUI cannot access the patient visitor’s database
Docker-compose not downloading or starting both docker containers
Either container is not responding
Matching the container version to the host OS

Cirrus Data Solutions has developed a complete set of tools to allow any cloud admin to build their own Postgres database in any server/VM. All these tools are part of Cirrus Migrate Cloud installation on any cloud and any deployment. For a detailed procedure, users can contact Cirrus Data Solutions here and request the complete installation procedure document.

The procedure uses an open-source sample Docker container that can be downloaded from the Internet that includes all the tools necessary to build a Postgres database example. Cirrus Data has developed scripts that allow easy management of Postgres databases on-premises and in any cloud, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft’s Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), etc. The tools are packaged in a tarball and allow automatic installation and configuration of Postgres databases and are included in the Cirrus Data Cloud portfolio of products. The full operation procedure is also detailed in the easy-to-understand README document which is also included in the package and which can be accessed via the Deploy Cirrus Migrate Cloud portal.

Several steps require manual user intervention to use Cirrus Migrate Cloud and be successful. These manual steps are well documented in the README text file. After the application is installed and running on-premises, CMC web-based GUI is used to manage the application data migration to the cloud and restart the Postgres application in the cloud from the last on-premises “known good” state prior to migration being initiated.

Here are some additional resources that can help to install and run a Postgres application:

Ready to see Cirrus Cloud Migrate in action? You can activate a free 30-day trial here: https://action.cirrusdata.com/cloud-migration

About the Author:

Cirrus Data

Cirrus Data Solutions Inc. (CDS) is a leader in the block data mobility technology and services market for global enterprises. The company distributes its solutions through systems integrators, managed service providers, channel resellers, and partners, including HPE, IBM, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, AWS, Oracle Cloud, Hitachi, NetApp, Pure Storage, Infinidat, AEBS, AHEAD, CDW, ConvergeOne, Logicalis, SHI, Park Place, Presidio, ePlus, Insight, Computacenter, Sirius, WWT and many others. Cirrus works closely with Global Systems Integrators (GSIs), including Accenture, HCL, Kyndryl, TCS, Capgemini, and others. The company’s flagship data mobility-as-a-service offering, Cirrus Migrate Cloud, is available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace, and Oracle Cloud Marketplace. CDS is headquartered in Syosset, New York, with support centers in Dublin, Ireland, and Nanjing, China, with sales and support offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Denver, London, Melbourne, Munich, and Tampa. For more information, visit CDS online at www.cirrusdata.com.