PostgreSQL Administration & Performance Tuning
Managing, Securing, and Optimizing PostgreSQL for High-Performance Systems
What's Included:
Key Highlights
- Deep dive into PostgreSQL internals and architecture
- Advanced indexing and query optimization techniques
- Memory and configuration tuning reference tables
- Backup, PITR, and recovery implementation strategies
- Streaming replication and high availability design
- Security hardening and access control best practices
- Scaling strategies for high-demand systems
- Appendices with cheat sheets and performance queries
Overview
Master PostgreSQL administration and performance tuning. Learn internals, indexing, query optimization, HA, backups, security hardening, and scaling for production systems.
The Problem
PostgreSQL is powerful — but defaults are not enough for production workloads. Many teams rely on standard configurations without understanding internal behavior, leading to performance degradation, replication instability, inefficient indexing, and avoidable outages.
Common challenges include:
- Slow queries with unclear execution plans
- Improper indexing strategies
- Memory misconfiguration
- Unreliable backups or incomplete recovery plans
- Replication lag and high availability risks
- Security misconfigurations
Without structured, deep PostgreSQL knowledge, troubleshooting becomes reactive and scaling becomes risky.
The Solution
PostgreSQL Administration & Performance Tuning provides a structured path from core engine understanding to advanced performance engineering and architectural thinking.
You will gain:
- Deep knowledge of PostgreSQL internals and storage
- Practical indexing and query optimization expertise
- Reliable backup and recovery strategies
- High availability and replication mastery
- Security hardening and role management skills
- Scaling strategies for growing systems
This book transforms PostgreSQL from a database you use into a system you fully understand and control.
About This Book
PostgreSQL Administration & Performance Tuning is a comprehensive, production-focused guide to managing, securing, and optimizing PostgreSQL for high-performance systems. Designed for database administrators, backend engineers, DevOps professionals, and architects, this book provides deep technical insight combined with real-world operational strategies.
PostgreSQL is one of the most advanced open-source relational database systems available today. But true reliability and performance do not come from defaults — they come from understanding the database engine at a deeper level. This book equips you with the knowledge to confidently operate PostgreSQL under real production pressure.
From Internals to Architecture
The journey begins with PostgreSQL internals: process architecture, shared memory, WAL (Write-Ahead Logging), and storage mechanics. Understanding how PostgreSQL works internally allows you to diagnose issues faster and tune systems more intelligently.
Production-Ready Administration
You will master installation, configuration, database and role management, logging, and monitoring. The book emphasizes observability and proactive stewardship — enabling you to detect bottlenecks before they escalate into outages.
Performance Tuning in Depth
Performance tuning is the heart of this book. You will learn:
- Index design fundamentals and advanced indexing strategies
- Query execution plan analysis (EXPLAIN, ANALYZE)
- Memory tuning and resource configuration
- Workload-based optimization strategies
- Real-world troubleshooting techniques
High Availability and Resilience
Operational excellence requires more than fast queries. You will build expertise in:
- Backup and recovery strategies (logical and physical)
- Point-in-time recovery (PITR)
- Streaming replication and failover
- High availability architectures
- Routine maintenance and lifecycle management
Security and Scaling
Security hardening, access control, encryption, and scaling strategies are covered in depth, ensuring your PostgreSQL systems are not only fast but secure and resilient. The final chapters elevate your thinking from database administrator to database architect — preparing you for strategic data infrastructure decisions.
This book is not just about PostgreSQL configuration. It is about building predictable, resilient, high-performance database systems you can trust in production.
Who Is This Book For?
- PostgreSQL Database Administrators (DBAs)
- Backend engineers working with PostgreSQL in production
- DevOps and SRE professionals managing database reliability
- Cloud architects designing data infrastructure
- Technical leaders evaluating PostgreSQL scalability
Who Is This Book NOT For?
- Absolute beginners with no SQL knowledge
- Readers looking for basic “Intro to SQL” tutorials
- Developers focused purely on ORM usage without interest in internals
- Those seeking non-relational (NoSQL-only) database content
Table of Contents
- Understanding PostgreSQL Internals
- Installation and Environment Setup
- Database and Role Management
- Configuration Management
- Monitoring Database Health
- Logging and Query Analysis
- Index Fundamentals
- Advanced Indexing Techniques
- Query Execution and Optimization
- Memory and Resource Tuning
- Backup and Recovery Strategies
- Replication and High Availability
- Securing PostgreSQL
- Routine Maintenance
- Scaling PostgreSQL
- From DBA to Database Architect
- Appendix: PostgreSQL Command Cheat Sheet
- Appendix: Common Performance Queries
- Appendix: Configuration Tuning Reference Table
- Appendix: Backup & Recovery Checklist
- Appendix: PostgreSQL Career Roadmap
Requirements
- Working knowledge of SQL
- Basic familiarity with relational database concepts
- Experience using PostgreSQL in development or production environments
- Access to a PostgreSQL instance for hands-on experimentation (recommended)
