Re: How to start postresql db server as a administrator on windows platform?

You really need to run PostgreSQL as an unprivileged user.

The database server needs to serve as the *only* interface between processes accessing information stored by the server and that stored information. With the database user being an unprivileged process, you would be protected in case the database process attempted to execute a process it shouldn't, or overwrite files it shouldn't, which protects your host system. PostgreSQL should *not* be doing anything that requires permissions outside the scope of reading and writing its files, and as few users as possible (ie only administrators) should have access to read or write such files.

This is a fundamental security design common to many platforms and applications. Please see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_privilege

and to answer your actual question...

If you want to simply execute PostgreSQL at a command prompt check:

> pg_ctl.exe --help

You'll want to use the runas command to run the pg_ctl.exe under another (unprivileged!) user account:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/runas.mspx

Jason Minion
IT Developer
Sigler Printing & Publishing
413 Northwestern Ave
Ames, IA 50010
515-232-6997
jason(dot)minion(at)sigler(dot)com

-----Original Message-----
From: pgsql-admin-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org [mailto:pgsql-admin-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org]On Behalf Of Rich
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 11:32 PM
To: pgsql-admin(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: [ADMIN] How to start postresql db server as a administrator on windows platform?

Hi there..

First, I'm a begginer to PostgreSQL.
please, Don't fool me too much. ;-)

As you see the title of this post,
I'd like to know how to start postresql db server as a administrator of
MS-windows os. (I'm trying not to run as a service.)
Yes, I already know that according to the document, I have to be a unpriviliged user to run postresql db
server on it.
But, I have to run it as a administrator user.

Isn't there any way to do that?
If so, I can't help change DB system to a different kind of DBMS.

Please, let me know how.

Thank you very much in advance.

Best Regards.