Using psql to connect to PostgreSQL in SSL mode

I am trying to configure ssl certificate for PostgreSQL server. I have created a certificate file (server.crt) and key (server.key) in data directory and update the parameter SSL to "on" to enable secure connection.

I just want only the server to be authenticated with server certificates on the client side and don't require the authenticity of client at server side. I am using psql as a client to connect and execute the commands.

I am using PostgreSQL 8.4 and Linux. I tried with the below command to connect to server with SSL enabled

       psql "postgresql://localhost:2345/postgres?sslmode=require"

but I am getting

       psql: invalid connection option "postgresql://localhost:2345/postgres?sslmode"

What am doing wrong here? Is the way I am trying to connect to server with SSL mode enabled is correct? Is it fine to authenticate only server and not the client ?

Solution 1:

psql below 9.2 does not accept this URL-like syntax for options.

The use of SSL can be driven by the sslmode=value option on the command line or the PGSSLMODE environment variable, but the default being prefer, SSL connections will be tried first automatically without specifying anything.

Example with a conninfo string (updated for psql 8.4)

psql "sslmode=require host=localhost dbname=test"

Read the manual page for more options.

Solution 2:

psql --set=sslmode=require -h localhost -p 2345 -U thirunas \
-d postgres -f test_schema.ddl

Another Example for securely connecting to Azure's managed Postgres database:

psql --file=product_data.sql --host=hostname.postgres.database.azure.com --port=5432 \
--username=postgres@postgres-esprit --dbname=product_data \
--set=sslmode=verify-full --set=sslrootcert=/opt/ssl/BaltimoreCyberTrustRoot.crt.pem

Solution 3:

Found the following options useful to provide all the files for a self signed postgres instance

psql "host={hostname} sslmode=prefer sslrootcert={ca-cert.pem} sslcert={client-cert.pem} sslkey={client-key.pem} port={port} user={user} dbname={db}"

Solution 4:

On psql client v12, I could not find option in psql client to activate sslmode=verify-full.

I ended up using environment variables :

PGSSLMODE=verify-full PGSSLROOTCERT=server-ca.pem psql -h your_host -U your_user -W -d your_db