Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - CData MCP Server for PostgreSQL

Q: What is the CData MCP Server for PostgreSQL? A: The CData MCP Server for PostgreSQL is a tool that allows Large Language Models (LLMs) like Claude Desktop to query live data from PostgreSQL databases. It uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to expose the data in a way that LLMs can understand and interact with using natural language.

Q: Is this MCP Server read-only? A: Yes, this specific version of the MCP Server is read-only. For full read/write capabilities, CData offers a free (beta) version available at https://www.cdata.com/solutions/mcp.

Q: What is MCP? A: MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It is an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to LLMs, enabling them to understand and interact with data sources and tools.

Q: What is the CData JDBC Driver for PostgreSQL? A: The CData JDBC Driver for PostgreSQL connects to PostgreSQL databases and exposes them as relational SQL models. The MCP Server wraps this driver to make PostgreSQL data accessible through the MCP interface.

Q: How do I set up the CData MCP Server for PostgreSQL? A: The setup guide involves cloning the repository, building the server with Maven, downloading and licensing the CData JDBC Driver for PostgreSQL, configuring the connection string, and creating a .prp file with the connection properties.

Q: How do I configure Claude Desktop to use the MCP Server? A: You need to create or modify the claude_desktop_config.json file to add the new MCP server, specifying the path to the Java executable, the MCP server JAR file, and the PostgreSQL connection properties file (.prp).

Q: What is a .prp file? A: A .prp file is a properties file that contains the configuration settings for the JDBC connection, such as the prefix, server name, driver path, driver class, JDBC URL, and tables.

Q: What are the available tools in the MCP Server? A: The available tools include {servername}_get_tables (retrieves a list of tables), {servername}_get_columns (retrieves a list of columns for a table), and {servername}_run_query (executes a SQL SELECT query).

Q: What are some example queries I can use with the MCP Server? A: Examples include: “What is the correlation between my closed won opportunities and the account industry?”, “How many open tickets do I have in the SUPPORT project?”, and “Can you tell me what calendar events I have today?”

Q: What do I do if I cannot see my CData MCP Server in Claude Desktop? A: Make sure you have fully quit Claude Desktop (using Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on Mac) and restarted it.

Q: What if Claude Desktop is unable to retrieve data? A: Verify that you have configured your connection properly. Use the Connection String builder to create the connection string and copy it into the property (.prp) file.

Q: Where can I get help if I’m having trouble connecting to my data source? A: Contact the CData Support Team at https://www.cdata.com/support/submit.aspx.

Q: Where can I get help with the MCP server or provide feedback? A: Join the CData Community at https://community.cdata.com.

Q: What license is this MCP server released under? A: This MCP server is licensed under the MIT License. You are free to use, modify, and distribute the software, subject to the terms and conditions of the MIT License. See the LICENSE file in the project repository for more details.

Q: Can I use this MCP server with other AI clients besides Claude Desktop? A: While the setup guide focuses on Claude Desktop, the MCP server can be used with any AI client that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and can communicate via stdio.

Q: I’m getting an error related to the JDBC driver. How do I fix it? A: Ensure that you have correctly licensed the CData JDBC Driver for PostgreSQL and that the path to the driver in the .prp file is correct.