Pgpool-II 3.3 released

Finaly we released new major release: pgpool-II 3.3.

This version focuses on enhancing "watchdog" module of pgpool-II.  It is in chage of avoiding the single point of failure caused by pgpool-II itself. Because pgpool-II is a proxy program for PostgreSQL, dying of pgpool-II immediately causes a service down of entire database system. Traditionally we deal with the problem by using two pgpool-II instances and "pgpool-HA", a heart beat script. Watchdog is a replacement for pgpool-HA. Users do not need to install pgpool-HA anymore. Just install two (or more) pgpool-II instances and turn on watchdog. Watchdog appeared in pgpool-II 3.2 and now it is far enhanced in 3.3.

Enhancements for watchdog includes:

• New monitoring method of watchdog lifecheck using heartbeat signal
• Interlocking of failover/failback script
• Secure watchdog communication
• PCP command for retrieving the watchdog status

  Other enhancements in 3.3 include:

• import PostgreSQL 9.2 raw parser
• New pgpool_setup tool
• Support for using CREATE EXTENSION to install pgpool specific extensions
• regression test suit 
• new simple installer

Please visit  http://www.pgpool.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page#pgpool-II_3.3_and_pgpoolAdmin_3.3_officially_released_.282013.2F07 to find more info.