NetWorker: Removing Old PostgreSQL Versions From the NMC Server

• A security scanner identifies old versions of PostgreSQL installed on a NetWorker Management Console (NMC) server.

Linux: /opt/lgtonmc/postgres
Windows (Default): C:\Program Files\EMC NetWorker\Management\GST\postgres

• The older versions are found in the postgres folder, for example: 9.2, 11.21, 12. 18. 
• The NMC installation uses a postgres_latest symbolic link that maps to the latest version of PostgreSQL for the NetWorker version installed.
  Linux: ls -l /opt/lgtonmc | grep latest
   
  Windows (PowerShell): (Get-Item "C:\Program Files\EMC NetWorker\Management\GST\postgres_latest").Target

Older versions of PostgreSQL have been retained on NetWorker due to backward compatibility requirements.

If the database is actively maintained, it is migrated to the latest version of PostgreSQL included with the NetWorker software during upgrades. The old versions are left in tact in the event that the database is not actively being maintained and an upgrade is performed.
For fresh installations, the older versions are included for backwards compatibility but are not used. 

Once the NMC database is migrated to a newer release, it cannot be managed by the older postgres executables.

Code changes are expected in the NetWorker 19.15.0.0 release (tentative Q1 2027) that will automatically remove the older postgres versions if not needed.

Workaround:

The older PostgresSQL folders can be removed after validating the version of PostgreSQL used by the NMC:

1. Validate that the NMC is functional; for example, you are able to login and perform operations.
2. Perform a Server Protection -> NMC server backup. 
3. On the NMC server, Validate which PostgreSQL version is used by the active NMC database (nmcdb)

Linux: ps -ef | grep nmcdb
 

Windows:

1. Open Task Manager.
2. Click the Details tab.
3. Ensure that the Command Line column is selected and visible. 
4. Look for the postgres.exe that corresponds with the nmcdb path.
   

4.  After validating the version of PostgreSQL used, the older (unused) folders can be deleted. NetWorker is not using these directories so the services do not need to be stopped or restarted.

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