LEARN. PRACTICE. GROW.Concept and mechanism
In the PostgreSQL 18 examples, continuous-archive recovery combines a physical backup and an applicable WAL sequence. A missing required segment can prevent reaching the target even when newer segments exist. A filename does not replace its content. pg_dump produces a logical backup and cannot serve as the physical base for this replay. Also separate data and configuration: manual edits to postgresql.conf, pg_hba.conf, and pg_ident.conf are not recovered through WAL. The plan must protect and restore these state sources through the appropriate mechanism, validating compatibility and authorization. Technically starting a restore does not establish that the service will have required configuration.
Guided application
Measure the recoverable point through evidence. During low traffic, a WAL segment may not yet be complete or archived. Scheduler frequency does not prove recent data reached the destination. archive_timeout can force segment switching but does not guarantee successful transport or storage. Observe continuity, delays, and results. pg_verifybackup helps detect manifest, file, and WAL problems within its scope, but does not replace a test restore or server behavior and data validation. In a fictional exercise, record the requested target, point actually reached, and operations confirming the outcome. A discovered gap should create an owned action without declaring success merely because the job turned green.
Physical backup plus continuous WAL: later files do not resolve a required gap.
Common pitfalls
Logical dump as physical base; WAL as all configuration; frequent job as RPO compliance; checksum as functional testing.
Related topics: Objectives and dependencies · Strategies and data protection · Recovery-site readiness and configuration
Demonstrate that data and configuration together can reach the declared point.
Reference: PostgreSQL18 continuous archiving and PITR · DR recovery 2026-09; PostgreSQL 18, etcd 3.6 and selected AWS/Azure behavior