To run a database on a different machine than the webserver requires changes to the database configuration file and access control file, and to the OpenACS service's configuration file.
Edit the database configuration file, which in a Reference install is located at /usr/local/pgsql/data/postgresql.conf and change
#tcpip_socket = false
to
tcpip_socket = true
Change the access control file for the database to permit specific remote clients to access. Access can be controlled ... (add notes from forum post)
Change the OpenACS service's configuration file to point to the remote database. Edit /var/lib/aolserver/$OPENACS_SERVICE_NAME/etc/config.tcl and change
to