Using psql to connect to PostgreSQL in SSL mode

Question

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 ?

Answer 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.