Thread: BUG #1013: Authentication doesn't work

The following bug has been logged online:

Bug reference:      1013
Logged by:          Keith Hankin
Email address:      keith105@yahoo.com
PostgreSQL version: 7.4
Operating system:   Fedora Linux
Description:        Authentication doesn't work
Details:

When I start up psql, if I am not not logged in as the owner of the database, I get the following error message, even
ifI type the correct password: 

psql: FATAL:  IDENT authentication failed for user "keith"

However, when I start up psql logged in as the owner of the database, I get a proper login regardless of whether I type
theproper password or not. 

"PostgreSQL Bugs List" <pgsql-bugs@postgresql.org> writes:
> When I start up psql, if I am not not logged in as the owner of the database, I get the following error message, even
ifI type the correct password: 
> psql: FATAL:  IDENT authentication failed for user "keith"

This is not a bug: it's the way it's supposed to work.

If you want to use passwords for authentication, you need to select a
password-based method in pg_hba.conf.  Not IDENT.

Read the administrator's guide for more detail:
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/7.4/static/client-authentication.html

            regards, tom lane