Install PostgreSQL on Windows server as Veeam Database Engine

Starting from Veeam Backup & Replication v12, the PostgreSQL database can be used instead of Microsoft SQL Server. It will interest you to know that, this default installation comes with PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL runs on all major operating systems, including Linux, UNIX (AIX, BSD, HP-UX, macOS, Solaris), and Windows. In this article, you will learn how to Install PostgreSQL on a Windows server as a Veeam Database Engine. Please see How to install PostgreSQL on Ubuntu, How to install Mattermost on Ubuntu and Debian, and how to upgrade Veeam Backup and Replication v11 to v12.1.

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system with active development that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance. Since it is an object-oriented database that is fully ACID-compliant and highly extensible. It enables the community to add new features and capabilities as workload demands evolve.

This choice allows Veeam to leverage a powerful and proven database solution for managing its backup and recovery data.

Also, see Docker Engine Installation on Ubuntu, how to Set up Veeam Backup for Microsoft Azure, and How to Install and Upgrade Docker Engine From Binaries.

Why did Veeam Switch to Postgre as the Default Database Engine?

This decision to switch to PostgreSQL was made due to the limitation associated with Microsft SQL Express edition in terms of scaling (eg max 10 GB Database size). See the System requirements

PostgreSQL does not have these limitations and it does not require an expensive license either. Additionally, the default installation will automatically tune the database for Veeam Backup & Replication.

PostgreSQL Platform Support

At the time of writing this article, the following versions are supported on Windows Platforms.

Download and Install PostgreSQL

The installer includes the PostgreSQL server, pgAdmin; a graphical tool for managing and developing your databases, and StackBuilder; a package manager that can be used to download and install additional PostgreSQL tools and drivers.

Stackbuilder includes management, integration, migration, replication, geospatial, connectors and other tools. Here is how to Configure NIC Teaming on Windows Server.

Download PostgreSQL for Windows

Please download PostgreSQL. The installer is designed to be a straightforward, fast way to get up and running with PostgreSQL on Windows. As you can see below, the installer has been downloaded.

Install PostgreSQL

Double-click on the installer file. This will launch the installation wizard will guide you through the set up steps. On the Setup PostgreSQL window, click on Next.

On the installation directory, I am fine with the default. Click Next to continue.

On the select components windows, I am fine with all components. I will, therefore, click next to continue.

- The PostgreSQL Server installs the PostgreSQL database server
- pgAdmin 4 installs the PostgreSQL database GUI management tool.
- The Command Line Tools: These tools allow you to interact with the PostgreSQL database server using the command-line interface. 
- Stack Builder provides a GUI that allows you to download and install drivers that work with PostgreSQL.

Select the database directory to store the data or accept the default folder. Click the Next button to go to the next step

Next, you will be required to enter the password for the database superuser (postgres)

Note: PostgreSQL runs as a service in the background under a service account named postgres. If you already created a service account with the name postgres, you need to provide the password of that account in the following window.

Specify PostgreSQL Port Number

Enter a port number on which the PostgreSQL database server will listen. The default port of PostgreSQL is 5432. You need to make sure that no other applications are using this port.

Choose the default locale used by the PostgreSQL database. I am fine with the default. If you leave it as the default locale, PostgreSQL will use the operating system locale. After that click the Next button

The setup wizard will show the pre-installation summary information of PostgreSQL. You need to review it and click the Next button if everything is correct. Otherwise, you need to click the Back button to change the configuration accordingly.

On the ready to install PostgreSQL on your computer. Click the Next button to begin installing PostgreSQL.

Note that the installation will take a few minutes to complete. Sit back and relax!

As you can see below, the installation has started.

Click the Finish button to complete the PostgreSQL installation.

Since we selected to include the Stack Builder components. You will be prompted with this window. Follow through with the prompt as these steps are not relevant to the post.

Verify PostgreSQL installation

There are several ways to verify the PostgreSQL installation. You can try to connect to the PostgreSQL database server from any client application e.g.,  psql and pgAdmin as shown below.

Connect to PostgreSQL database server using pgAdmin. Please enter your password to connect

Create a local user in PostgreSQL

In this section, I will create a local user in PostgreSQL named “veeam” with Superuser permissions so that it can create a Veeam database and perform all necessary processes during the migration process.

Enter the name

On the Definition page, enter the password. On the privilege tab, assign the following permission.

In the next guide, I will show you how to migrate the Veeam Backup & Replication Configuration Database to PostgreSQL.

FAQs

I hope you found this guide useful on how to Install PostgreSQL on a Windows server as a Veeam Database Engine. Please feel free to leave a comment below.