PostgreSQL Authentication Settings Query for Admins

calendar Aug 27, 2025 / · 3 min read · postgresql database authentication security sql scripts database management postgres configuration pg_settings  ·
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PostgreSQL Authentication Settings Query for Admins

Managing PostgreSQL at scale requires both fine-grained control and visibility into configuration parameters. One valuable system catalog, pg_settings, provides administrators direct insight into runtime parameters, defaults, and constraints that govern PostgreSQL’s behavior.

In this guide, we’ll explore a practical SQL query for extracting authentication-related configuration settings in PostgreSQL. This is especially useful for database administrators (DBAs) focused on optimizing security, troubleshooting, and compliance.

SQL Code Example: Query Authentication Settings

 1SELECT
 2    name,
 3    setting,
 4    -- category,
 5    vartype,
 6    short_desc,
 7    -- enumvals,
 8    source,
 9    min_val,
10    max_val,
11    boot_val,
12    reset_val,
13    -- not available on PostgreSQL < 9.5
14    pending_restart
15FROM
16    pg_settings
17WHERE
18    -- Connections and Authentication / Authentication
19    category ILIKE '% / Authentication%';

Breakdown of the Query

  • SELECT Clause
    • name → The parameter name (e.g., password_encryption, ssl).
    • setting → The current active value of the parameter.
    • vartype → The variable type (e.g., string, integer, boolean).
    • short_desc → A description of the parameter's purpose.
    • source → Shows where the value was set: configuration file, default, or command-line.
    • min_val & max_val → The allowed value ranges.
    • boot_val → The initial default value when PostgreSQL starts.
    • reset_val → The value that would be restored if changes are reverted.
    • pending_restart → Indicates if the setting requires a server restart to take effect.
  • FROM Clause
    • Data comes from pg_settings, a system view exposing runtime parameters.
  • WHERE Clause
    • Filters results only to those in the Connections and Authentication category, helping administrators narrow down to security-focused parameters.

Key Insights for Database Administrators

  1. Focused Security Audit: Instead of combing through all PostgreSQL parameters, this query highlights only authentication-related ones.
  2. Change Awareness: pending_restart flags parameters requiring action before adjustments take effect.
  3. Source Tracking: The source column reveals whether settings are applied from config files (postgresql.conf), environment variables, or overridden at runtime.
  4. Performance & Security Balance: By reviewing ranges (min_val, max_val) and defaults (boot_val), DBAs can maintain both compliance and performance standards.
  5. Version-Specific Behavior: Note that some fields (like pending_restart) may not be available in PostgreSQL versions prior to 9.5.

Practical Use Cases

  • Security Compliance Audits: Quickly check if password_encryption or ssl meet organization standards.
  • Troubleshooting Authentication: Validate if your settings align with intended authentication methods.
  • Performance Tuning: Inspect limits like max_connections in relation to authentication.
  • Configuration Validation: Cross-check database parameters with deployment scripts or IaC (Infrastructure as Code).

Conclusion

By leveraging the pg_settings view and filtering for authentication-specific configurations, PostgreSQL database administrators gain deeper visibility into security-critical parameters. This simple yet effective query is ideal for audit readiness, security hardening, and operational troubleshooting.

Use this as a quick script in DBA routines or automation workflows to streamline database management tasks.

References

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