Changing Postgres User Password

Last modified: 27 Dec 2007

WARNING: This documentation covers Parallels H-Sphere versions up to 3.1. For the latest up-to-date Parallels H-Sphere documentation, please proceed to the official Parallels site.

Changing the password for the postgres user (pgsql in FreeBSD) differs depending on the version of PostgreSQL installed. To check the version, type under root:

# psql --version

PostgreSQL 7.4.7 is used in the latest versions of H-Sphere for both the H-Sphere system database and user databases. However, earlier versions of H-Sphere use even Postgres 7.1.

For security reasons we recommend upgrading your PostgreSQL servers to:

• version 7.4.7 (for HS 2.4.1 Patch 2+)
• to version 7.3 (for earlier HS versions).

PostgreSQL 7.1

1. Log in:
   - as postgres in RedHat:
   # su - postgres
   - as pgsql in FreeBSD:
   # su - pgsql
   

2. Run:
   $ pg_passwd data/passwd
   Then, enter username (postgres or pgsql) and a new password when prompted.
   Usernames and passwords are stored in the data/passwd file of the postgres / pgsql user's home directory.

PostgreSQL 7.3 and up

The postgres/pgsql password is changed in the PostgreSQL service database. This is a more secure way than having the passwords stored in a file. Run under root:

In RedHat:

psql -d template1 -U postgres (enter the template1 service database)
alter user postgres with password 'postgres_password'; (run query to change the password)

psql -d template1 -U pgsql
alter user pgsql with password 'pgsql_password';

Restart Postgres to apply changes.