AUTH
Introduction and Use Case(s)
The AUTH
command in Redis is used to authenticate a client connection using a password. This is essential for securing Redis servers by ensuring that only clients with the correct credentials can interact with the database. Typical scenarios include setting up password-protected access to production Redis instances or implementing multi-user environments.
Syntax
AUTH [username] password
Parameter Explanations
- username: Optional. The username of the Redis user when using ACLs (Access Control Lists). If omitted, Redis uses the default user.
- password: Required. The password associated with the user or the default password if no username is provided.
Return Values
- OK: Authentication was successful.
- (error): Authentication failed due to incorrect password or other issues.
Examples:
OK
(error) ERR invalid password
Code Examples
dragonfly> AUTH mypassword
OK
dragonfly> AUTH wrongpassword
(error) ERR invalid password
dragonfly> AUTH defaultuser mypassword
OK
dragonfly> AUTH defaultuser wrongpassword
(error) ERR invalid password
Best Practices
- Always use strong, complex passwords to secure your Redis instances.
- Implement ACLs for more granular control over user permissions.
Common Mistakes
- Not changing the default password, which poses a significant security risk.
- Forgetting to use the correct format when ACLs are enabled, i.e., providing both username and password.
FAQs
What happens if I omit the username in the AUTH command?
If you omit the username, Redis will authenticate using the default user.
Can I change the password without restarting Redis?
Yes, you can update the password dynamically using the CONFIG SET
command or through ACLs.
Is it possible to disable authentication?
By not setting a requirepass
or configuring ACLs, Redis will not require authentication. However, this is not recommended for production environments.