Thread: configuring pg_hba.conf...
i'm an actual newbie when it comes to postgres. how do i set the pg_hba.conf for a password authentication? how do i set the ps_pwd and other needed configuration? and lastly, where can i find a detailed document on configuring postgres? thanks. samil buri.
Postgres GOD wrote:
>how do i set the pg_hba.conf for a password authentication? how do i set
>the ps_pwd and other needed configuration?
Here is a document I put together on the subject. (If anything in it has
become inaccurate, please let me know; I believe it is correct for 6.4.2.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
How to use clear or encrypted passwords for PostgreSQL access:
=============================================================
Use lines such as
local all password
host 192.137.23 255.255.255.0 crypt
in /etc/postgresql/pg_hba.conf; then you can use
CREATE USER user WITH PASSWORD password...
to create a new user with the specified password, or
ALTER USER user WITH PASSWORD password...
to change the password of an existing user. ANY USER with create-user
privilege can ALTER a password for any user, *INCLUDING* the postgres
super-user.
If connecting with psql, use the -u option; the user is prompted for username
and password. If you don't use -u, the connection fails.
If using your own program with libpq, it is up to you to collect the user name
and password from the user and send them to the backend with PQsetdbLogin().
Passwords are stored in pg_shadow in clear, but if `crypt' authentication is
specified, the frontend encrypts the password with a random salt and
the backend uses the same salt to encrypt the password in the database.
If the two encrypted passwords match, the user is allowed access. If the
authentication method is `password', the password is transmitted and
compared in clear.
If passwords are turned on, it becomes impossible to connect as
a user, if no password is defined for that user, neither can you use
\connect to change user within psql.
Problems with password authentication
=====================================
1. There is no easy and secure way to automate access when passwords are
in use. It would be good if the postgres super-user (as identified by
Unix on a Unix sockets connection) could bypass the authentication.
2. In general, passwords are insecure, because they are held in clear
in pg_shadow. Anyone with create-user privilege can not only alter but
also read them. They ought to be stored with one-way encryption, as
with the Unix password system.
3. The postgres super-user's password can be changed by anyone with
create-user privilege. It ought to be the case that people can
only change their own passwords and that only the super-user can change
other peoples' passwords.
4. If passwords are turned on, the -u option must be supplied to psql. If
it is not, psql merely says "Connection to database 'xxxx' failed.". A
more helpful error message would be desirable.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>and lastly, where can i find a detailed document on configuring postgres?
Have you read the Administrator's Guide? (doc/admin.ps.gz) There are also
extensive comments in pg_hba.conf.
Also: `man create_user' and `man alter_user'
--
Oliver Elphick Oliver.Elphick@lfix.co.uk
Isle of Wight http://www.lfix.co.uk/oliver
PGP key from public servers; key ID 32B8FAA1
========================================
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and
my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only,
have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight..."
Psalms 51:2-4
On Tue, 26 Jan 1999, Oliver Elphick wrote: > Postgres GOD wrote: > >how do i set the pg_hba.conf for a password authentication? how do i set > >the ps_pwd and other needed configuration? > > Here is a document I put together on the subject. (If anything in it has > become inaccurate, please let me know; I believe it is correct for 6.4.2.) > > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > How to use clear or encrypted passwords for PostgreSQL access: > ============================================================= > > Use lines such as > > local all password > host 192.137.23 255.255.255.0 crypt > > in /etc/postgresql/pg_hba.conf; then you can use > > CREATE USER user WITH PASSWORD password... > thanks for your help. i followed your instructions but can't still connect to my database. btw, i'm using 6.3.2 version. i copied exactly the two lines you've mentioned above in my pg_hba.conf and i even tried modifying using my server's ip but still user authentication failed. what should be the problem with this? samil buri. ----------- 'winning w/o fighting is best.' --suntzu.
Postgres GOD wrote: >> Use lines such as >> >> local all password >> host 192.137.23 255.255.255.0 crypt >> >> in /etc/postgresql/pg_hba.conf; then you can use >> >> CREATE USER user WITH PASSWORD password... >> > >thanks for your help. i followed your instructions but can't still connect >to my database. btw, i'm using 6.3.2 version. i copied exactly the two >lines you've mentioned above in my pg_hba.conf and i even tried modifying >using my server's ip but still user authentication failed. > >what should be the problem with this? Have you restarted the postmaster after editing pg_hba.conf? Have you created a password for yourself before trying to connect using password authentication? -- Oliver Elphick Oliver.Elphick@lfix.co.uk Isle of Wight http://www.lfix.co.uk/oliver PGP key from public servers; key ID 32B8FAA1 ======================================== "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight..." Psalms 51:2-4
"Oliver Elphick" wrote: > Postgres GOD wrote: > >> Use lines such as > >> > >> local all password > >> host 192.137.23 255.255.255.0 crypt > >> > >> in /etc/postgresql/pg_hba.conf; then you can use > >> > >> CREATE USER user WITH PASSWORD password... > >> > > > >thanks for your help. i followed your instructions but can't still connect > >to my database. btw, i'm using 6.3.2 version. i copied exactly the two > >lines you've mentioned above in my pg_hba.conf and i even tried modifying > >using my server's ip but still user authentication failed. > > > >what should be the problem with this? > > Have you restarted the postmaster after editing pg_hba.conf? > Have you created a password for yourself before trying to connect > using password authentication? That shouldn't be necessary. At least I havn't had to. Can you connect remotly without crypt? I would try the following. local all password host 127.0.0.1 255.255.255.0 password host 192.137.23 255.255.255.0 crypt and try to connect from your local machine but using localhost. psql -u -h localhost That exercises the network interface. if that works, Try host 127.0.0.1 255.255.255.0 crypt I've had the best luck with getting things working using the local clients first. Carl Carl zmola@campbellsci.com
i know this one is easy one to those postgres guru. how can i deal with this vacuum problem? NOTICE: CreatePortal: portal <vacuum> already exists ERROR: can't create lock file -- another vacuum cleaner running? thanks. samil. 'winning w/o fighting is best!'-suntzu.