Don Parris <parrisdc@gmail.com> writes: > When I try a simple psql -U postgres -W - just to initiate the psql > session, I get: > psql: FATAL: Peer authentication failed for user "postgres"
> It's like my regular user cannot connect as the postgres user.
You're right, it can't, if you've selected peer authentication in pg_hba.conf. You'd need to use some other auth method, perhaps password-based auth, if you want this to work. Read up on auth methods in the fine manual.
> However, this works (with me just typing my password for sudo): > donp@wiesbaden:~$ sudo -u postgres psql -U postgres > [sudo] password for donp:
Sure, because then psql is launched as the postgres OS user, and peer auth will let that user connect as the postgres DB user.
regards, tom lane
Ahhhh... now I understand. Thanks Tom! That should really help! I'll check that out.