Installing & Setting Up PostgreSQL With PostGIS

Last updated January 26th, 2010 at 02:40pm

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the steps involved with installing PostgreSQL and PostGIS on your Windows based PC.  PostGIS is a requirement for the way GPSFileDepot creates Garmin compatible maps.

Instructions

This tutorial last updated for version 8.4.

PostgreSQL

1. Go the the PostgreSQL binary server.
2. Scroll down and find the largest number, click that one.
3. Click "win32"
4. Download postgresql-X.X.X-X.zip. Where the X are the most recent version information.  Make sure you are getting at least version 8.3+.
5. Select one of the mirrors and download via http or ftp.
6. Save the zip file.
7. Extract everything in the zip file to a folder.
8. Double click "postgresql-X.X.msi"
9. Select your language and hit start.
10. The normal settings should be good.  Make sure you will have the Application Stack Builder installed.  Also, it is good to make sure pgAdmin III is installed.
    
11. Make sure the "Install As Service" box is checked.
12. If a box pops up asking to create an account click Yes.
13. Leave the next page alone; just make sure the initialize database cluster box is checked and enter a password.
14. Click Next to leave procedural languages alone.
15. Check any other modules you may need but most likely the default (Adminpack.) is just fine.
16. Click Next to complete the installation.
17. Make sure the "Launch Stack Builder" box is unchecked and click finish.
18. Now we will make it so you can connect without a password (this is optional but makes life easier)
19. Stop the service from running: (start>all programs> postgresql X.X>Stop Service)
20. Open pg_hba.conf (start>all programs>postgresql X.X>Configurations Files>Edit pg_hba.conf
    Note: In v 8.4+ you have to access the pg_hba.conf by browsing to the PostgreSQL folder, then version number, then data and then open pg_hba.conf
21. Change the line reading:
    host    all         all         127.0.0.1/32          md5
    to
    host    all         all         127.0.0.1/32          trust
    If you use IPv6 change the next line below it as well.
22. Reload the configuration files (start>all programs>postgresql X.X>Reload configuration)
23. Start the service (start>all programs>postgresql X.X>Start Service)

PostGIS

1. Start the Application Stack Builder (in PostgreSQL's start menu)
2. Now that the Application Stack Builder has launched you can install PostGIS.
   Note: If it didn't launch go to Start>All Programs>PostgreSQL X.X and click Application Stack Builder.  This is also how you can update PostGIS when new versions are released.
3.  Select your local server:
   
4. Under "Spatial Extensions" check the most recent version of PostGIS:
   
5. Pick a server near you and click "Next"
6. Leave the download location alone and click "Next"
7. After the download finishes click next to start installing.
8. Make sure create spatial database is checked.
9. Leave the default options.  Make sure you enter your password if needed.

Now you should have a fully operational postgis database.

Creating More Databases

You may, at some point, need to create more postGIS databases.  In this case you need to create them with a template file.

1. Open pgAdmin III
2. Connect to your local server
3. Right click on databases and click "New Database..."
4. Enter a name for your new database
5. Select the username you've been using as the owner (default is "postgres")
6. For the template select "template_postgis"
   
7. Click okay.

A new database has now been created.  You have to use a template in order to have it be a spatial database.

If you have any questions about this tutorial please contact us or post in the forums.