Why pg_dump Fails for Multi-Gigabyte Databases
Traditional logical backups via pg_dump require locking tables, consume massive CPU cycles, and cannot deliver Point-In-Time Recovery (PITR). If a database corrupts at 4:30 PM, restoring a midnight pg_dump destroys 16 hours of production customer transactions. WAL-G—the modern successor to WAL-E—provides continuous Write-Ahead Log (WAL) archiving to AWS S3 with LZ4/ZSTD compression, enabling recovery to the exact second before a disaster occurred.
Written by Saizul Amin for database administrators and cloud DevOps architects.
WAL-G Architecture: Continuous Archiving to S3
# /etc/wal-g/wal-g.env
WALG_S3_PREFIX=s3://my-enterprise-backups/postgres-prod
AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=AKIAEXAMPLEKEY
AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=exampleSecretKey123
AWS_REGION=us-east-1
WALG_COMPRESSION_METHOD=zstd
Automated Weekly Full Backup and Retention Cron
# /etc/cron.d/postgres-backup
# Full base backup every Sunday at 02:00 UTC
0 2 * * 0 postgres env $(cat /etc/wal-g/wal-g.env | xargs) wal-g backup-push /var/lib/postgresql/16/main
# Retain 4 full backups and purge older snapshots
0 4 * * 0 postgres env $(cat /etc/wal-g/wal-g.env | xargs) wal-g delete retain FULL 4 --confirm
Saizul Amin is a digital growth strategist and SEO consultant specialising in search engine optimisation, web development, AI-powered automation, and online income systems. With 8 years of hands-on experience helping businesses and individual creators grow their online presence, Saizul combines technical expertise with practical, results-driven strategy.
Experience & Background
Saizul started his digital career in 2017, initially working with Bioscope Limited to build and optimise websites for organic search traffic. Over the years, he has worked across industries including DGHS, NAVANA, UNICampus, UNIPathways, UniqueMark, developing a deep understanding of what it takes to rank, convert, and grow sustainably online.
His work spans the full digital stack — from technical SEO audits and content strategy to WordPress development, marketing automation, and AI tool integration for small businesses and startups.
What He Covers on This Blog
Every article on SaizulAmin.com is written from direct experience. Saizul does not publish theoretical content — every guide, tool recommendation, and strategy shared here has been tested and applied in real projects. Topics include:
- Search engine optimisation (on-page, technical, and content SEO)
- Digital marketing strategy and growth systems
- AI tools and automation for business productivity
- Web development, WordPress, and website building
- Making money online through freelancing and affiliate marketing
Why Trust This Content
All recommendations on this site reflect tools and strategies Saizul actively uses or has personally evaluated. Where affiliate relationships exist, they are clearly disclosed. Content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current best practices and algorithm changes.