Azure Database for PostgreSQL

Configure passwordless authentication with Microsoft Entra ID for existing Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server. This skill focuses on setting up Entra ID authentication, managing user access, and migrating from password-based authentication.

Primary use cases:

• Migrating existing PostgreSQL databases from password to Entra ID authentication

• Setting up developer access with Azure identities

• Configuring managed identity access for Azure-hosted applications

• Managing group-based access control and permissions

MCP Tools (Preferred)

When Azure MCP is enabled, use these tools for PostgreSQL operations:

• azure__postgres with command postgres_server_list

• List PostgreSQL servers

• azure__postgres with command postgres_database_list

• List databases on a server

• azure__postgres with command postgres_database_query

• Execute SQL queries

• azure__postgres with command postgres_server_param_get

• Get server parameters

• azure__postgres with command postgres_server_param_set

• Set server parameters

CLI Commands (Fallback)

az postgres flexible-server list --output table az postgres flexible-server db list --server-name SERVER -g RG az postgres flexible-server show --name SERVER -g RG az postgres flexible-server create --name SERVER -g RG --location REGION --admin-user ADMIN --version 16

Quick Reference

Property Value

CLI prefix az postgres flexible-server

MCP tools azure__postgres

Best for Relational data, PostgreSQL compatibility, PostGIS

Engine versions PostgreSQL 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (recommended)

Working with Existing PostgreSQL Servers

This skill primarily focuses on configuring authentication for existing PostgreSQL servers. If you need to reference or create servers, use MCP tools or CLI commands, and provide Azure Portal links for easy access.

Portal Link Format:

https://portal.azure.com/#@{tenant-domain}/resource/subscriptions/{subscription-id}/resourceGroups/{resource-group}/providers/Microsoft.DBforPostgreSQL/flexibleServers/{server-name}/overview

Example portal link:

View in Azure Portal: https://portal.azure.com/#resource/subscriptions/abc123.../resourceGroups/myrg/providers/Microsoft.DBforPostgreSQL/flexibleServers/myserver/overview

Microsoft Entra ID Authentication (Critical)

⚠️ ALWAYS use passwordless authentication with Entra ID for production workloads.

Complete Setup Guide

→ Microsoft Entra ID Authentication Setup Guide

This guide covers:

• Enabling Entra ID authentication on PostgreSQL servers

• Creating PostgreSQL roles mapped to Azure identities

• Granting database permissions

• Connecting with access tokens instead of passwords

Quick Setup Patterns

Use these patterns based on your scenario:

Scenario Guide Link Use When

Developer Access Pattern 1 Grant developers access with their Azure identity

App Authentication Pattern 2 Passwordless access for Azure-hosted apps (Container Apps, App Service, Functions)

Team Access Pattern 3 Manage permissions via Azure AD groups

Connection Issues Troubleshooting Diagnose authentication and connection failures

Migration Pattern 5 Transition from password to Entra ID authentication

Service Tiers

Tier vCores Memory Use Case

Burstable 1-20 0.5-4 GB/vCore Dev/test, low traffic

General Purpose 2-64 4 GB/vCore Most production workloads

Memory Optimized 2-64 8 GB/vCore High-memory workloads

Start with Burstable for dev/test, scale up as needed.

Common Issues

Issue Cause Solution

role does not exist

Role not created in database Run pgaadauth_create_principal

• see guide

password authentication failed

Token expired (5-60 min validity) Get fresh token: az account get-access-token --resource-type oss-rdbms

permission denied

Role lacks permissions Run GRANT statements - see templates

Connection timeout Firewall blocking access Add firewall rule: az postgres flexible-server firewall-rule create

Guest user login fails Wrong UPN format Use full UPN with #EXT# tag from Azure AD

SDK Quick References

• PostgreSQL Client: TypeScript

• Azure Identity: Python | TypeScript

• PostgreSQL Mgmt: .NET

References

• Microsoft Entra ID Authentication Setup - Complete passwordless authentication guide

• SQL Functions - Entra ID role management functions

• Permission Templates - Common permission patterns

• Troubleshooting - Connection and auth issues