NetBox requires a PostgreSQL database to store data. MySQL is not supported, as NetBox leverage's PostgreSQL's built-in [network address types](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/datatype-net-types.html).

# Installation

**Debian/Ubuntu**

```shell
# apt-get install -y postgresql libpq-dev python-psycopg2
```

**CentOS/RHEL**

```shell
# yum install -y postgresql postgresql-server postgresql-devel python-psycopg2
# postgresql-setup initdb
```

If using CentOS, modify the PostgreSQL configuration to accept password-based authentication by replacing `ident` with `md5` for all host entries within `/var/lib/pgsql/data/pg_hba.conf`. For example:

```text
host    all             all             127.0.0.1/32            md5
host    all             all             ::1/128                 md5
```

Then, start the service:

```shell
# systemctl start postgresql
```

# Database Creation

At a minimum, we need to create a database for NetBox and assign it a username and password for authentication. This is done with the following commands.

!!! danger
    DO NOT USE THE PASSWORD FROM THE EXAMPLE.

```shell
# sudo -u postgres psql
psql (9.3.13)
Type "help" for help.

postgres=# CREATE DATABASE netbox;
CREATE DATABASE
postgres=# CREATE USER netbox WITH PASSWORD 'J5brHrAXFLQSif0K';
CREATE ROLE
postgres=# GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE netbox TO netbox;
GRANT
postgres=# \q
```

You can verify that authentication works issuing the following command and providing the configured password:

```shell
# psql -U netbox -h localhost -W
```

If successful, you will enter a `postgres` prompt. Type `\q` to exit.