Re: Pg_hba and dynamic dns

You may want to consider using another server to access your database(s) which is publically accessable and keep your databse server access restricted. It would require controlling access with a middle layer such as Apache/ColdFusion, Apache/PHP or Apache/Perl but your database would probably be more secure and your mobile users would only need an SSL web browser.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bernie LaSalle
GCRC Informatics Core Director
University of Utah
50 North Medical Drive Rm 4R210 SOM
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
(801) 581-3670

>>> Randall Perry <rgp(at)systame(dot)com> 05/09/03 07:51AM >>>
Ok, those are valid points.

What I'm trying to do is get access to the db for clients who are on the
road using connections with dynamic IPs, from a PC running an MS Access db
app. Dynamic DNS would have been an easy solution.

Any ideas how to achieve this in other ways?

> On Thu, May 08, 2003 at 06:40:14PM -0400, Randall Perry wrote:
>> I've discovered I can use URLs for an IP address in pg_hba.conf, and
>> everything works ok if the host can be resolved.
>>
>> If it can't be resolved I get the error:
>> psql: FATAL: Missing or erroneous pg_hba.conf file, see postmaster log for
>> details
>>
>> And then all tcp/ip is denied.
>>
>> That sucks -- means I can't use dynamic DNS. Anyone else think tcp/ip access
>> shouldn't break if a URL can't be resolved?
>
> IMHO support for fqdn should be removed.
>
> 1. FQDN's are mostly resolved when the configuration is being loaded.
> So that data isn't going to change when the program is running or
> would you like to do a dns query for every connection you get?
>
> 2. How are you going to handle forward and reversed dns? Think about
> multiple A-records, fake or no reversed DNS, etc.
>
> 3. If fqdn is being checked when the db gets a connection people can
> break in when you only check reversed dns.
>
> 4. Who is going to ensure me that dns isn't compromised somewhere down
> the line?
>
> This are just a few things, but I'm wondering.

--
Randall Perry
sysTame

Xserve Web Hosting/Co-location
Website Development/Promotion
Mac Consulting/Sales

http://www.systame.com/

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