backend_xmin in pg_stat_replication

[Torsten Förtsch]

Hi,

if I understand it correctly, backend_xmin in pg_stat_replication is the
xmin that's reported back by hot_standby_feedback. Given there are no
long-running transactions on the replica, I presume that value should be
pretty close to the xmin field of any recent snapshots on the master. This
is true for all my databases but one:

select application_name,
       txid_snapshot_xmin(txid_current_snapshot()),
       backend_xmin::TEXT::BIGINT,

 txid_snapshot_xmin(txid_current_snapshot())-backend_xmin::TEXT::BIGINT
  from pg_stat_replication;

 application_name | txid_snapshot_xmin | backend_xmin |  ?column?
------------------+--------------------+--------------+------------
 xxxxxxxxxx       |         6957042833 |   2662075435 | 4294967398

Over time, that backend_xmin is slowly advancing.

If I call txid_current_snapshot() in a new session on the replica, I get
reasonable numbers but the backend_xmin in pg_stat_activity is equally off.

select backend_xmin, txid_current_snapshot()
  from pg_stat_activity
 where backend_xmin is not null;

 backend_xmin | txid_current_snapshot
--------------+------------------------
   2662207433 | 6957174729:6957174729:

Is that expected behavior? Or is there anything wrong?

All other backends are idle and all but one pretty fresh. One has been
running for about 2 months with short-lasting transactions every now and
again.

Thanks,
Torsten