S2: Database server starting

Example Postgres Log Output:

LOG: redirecting log output to logging collector process
LOG: ending log output to stderr
...
LOG: database system was shut down at 2017-05-03 23:23:37 UTC
LOG: MultiXact member wraparound protections are now enabled
LOG: database system is ready to accept connections

On a standby server you will see:

LOG: database system was shut down in recovery at 2017-05-05 20:17:07 UTC
LOG: entering standby mode
LOG: database system is ready to accept read only connections

Explanation:

This log event groups together all messages that occur on a regular Postgres server start.

Normally you don't need to pay attention to this event, as log lines relating to an irregular restart, e.g. due to a crash, are instead classified as S3 - Server Start (Recovering).

The database system was shut down at [ timestamp ] line indicates when the Postgres control file was last updated, commonly this matches the time of the last checkpoint performed on the database. That same timestamp can also be accessed using the pg_controldata helper program (field pg_control last modified:) whilst the database is shut down.

Also note that whilst Postgres is starting up no connections are accepted, the startup finishes with the message database system is ready to accept connections to indicate that connections are accepted.

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