How do you use pg_stat_io in PostgreSQL 16 for troubleshooting performance?

To use pg_stat_io in PostgreSQL 16 for troubleshooting performance, follow these steps:

1. Enable track_io_timing: For detailed I/O timing information, make sure the track_io_timing setting is enabled in your PostgreSQL configuration.

2. Analyze I/O Metrics: Use pg_stat_io to analyze I/O metrics like read and write operations, the time spent in these operations, and buffer usage. This helps identify if performance issues are I/O related.

3. Identify Heavy Operations: Look for tables or indexes with high read or write operations. This could indicate inefficient queries or the need for better indexing.

4. Check Buffer Usage: High buffer evictions or low hit rates might signal insufficient memory allocation or poorly optimized queries.

5. Monitor Over Time: Regularly monitor pg_stat_io to understand I/O patterns and identify potential bottlenecks.

By analyzing these metrics, you can pinpoint areas causing performance degradation and make informed decisions to optimize your PostgreSQL database.

Extra reading:

• https://minervadb.xyz/blog/

• https://minervadb.xyz/how-rdba-works/

• https://dev.to/shiviyer/how-does-the-wrong-checkpointing-configuration-in-postgresql-affect-the-performance-31d8

• https://minervadb.xyz/cloud-dba-services/

• https://minervadb.xyz/creating-high-availability-with-postgresql-14-stream-replication-a-step-by-step-guide/