EPIC Goal

Upgrade the integrated database (deployed by Operator and Helm Chart) to PostgreSQL 16, as there is no Red Hat supported container image available for PostgreSQL 17 and no plans for any (will go straight to 18).

Ensure the Operator and Helm Chart deploy PostgreSQL 16 by default for integrated database scenarios.

Validate migration paths and ensure all features work correctly with PostgreSQL 16.

Background/Feature Origin

While RHIDP-6593 adds support for PostgreSQL 17 as an external database, the integrated database deployment (used in local/development scenarios via Operator and Helm Chart and in a portion of the E2e tests) needs to be upgraded to PostgreSQL 16. This is because no Red Hat supported PostgreSQL 17 container image is available, but PostgreSQL 16 is the latest version with official Red Hat container images, and we want to avoid using too old version.

Why is this important?

Keeps the integrated database deployment up-to-date with modern PostgreSQL features

Ensures consistency between supported external database versions and integrated options

• Leverages the newest Red Hat supported container images for better security and support
• Aligns with upstream Backstage's supported PostgreSQL version range (13-17)
• Provides developers with a more recent PostgreSQL version for local development

User Scenarios

• Developers using local RHDH deployments get PostgreSQL 16 by default
• Operator-based deployments automatically use PostgreSQL 16 for integrated database
• Helm chart deployments use PostgreSQL 16 for integrated database scenarios
• Existing deployments can upgrade from current PostgreSQL version to 16

Dependencies (internal and external)

• Red Hat PostgreSQL 16 container image availability
• Operator configuration updates
• Helm chart configuration updates
• Migration path from current integrated PostgreSQL version to 16

Acceptance Criteria

Release Enablement/Demo - Provide necessary release enablement details and documents

DEV - Operator configuration updated to deploy PostgreSQL 16

DEV - Helm chart configuration updated to deploy PostgreSQL 16

QE - Tests use PostgreSQL 16 for the integrated database

DOC - Upstream documentation merged

DOC - Release notes mention PostgreSQL 16 upgrade for integrated database