Changing the PostgreSQL data directory

We use the default data folder when installing PostgreSQL on your server, which is /usr/local/pgsql/data. To change this folder, follow the instructions below.

1. Connect to your servers via SSH.

2. Stop the PostgreSQL service by issuing the following command:

$ (sudo -u postgres pg_ctl stop -D /usr/local/pgsql/data -m i -t 5 || true) && sudo stop postgresql 

1. Make sure that PostgreSQL is no longer running:

$ ps aux | grep pgsql

This command must not return any running PostgreSQL processes.

1. Make a new directory for your data:

$ mkdir /new/path/folder

1. Make sure that your new folder is only accessible by the PostgreSQL user:

$ chown postgres /new/path/folder
$ chmod 700 /new/path/folder

1. Move your data from the old folder to new one:

$ mv /usr/local/pgsql/data /new/path/folder

1. Create a symlink to your new folder from the old one:

$ ln -s /new/path/folder/data /usr/local/pgsql/data

1. Start the PostgreSQL service again:

$ sudo start postgresql

Your PostgreSQL service should now be working with new data folder.