yes, you can connect to the backend database (PostgreSQL). Most of us use pgAdmin III as the tool of choice. As to connection settings, you will need to do a bit of homework. 

Start the CSSA PVS. 

Login as: root / password (I'm too lazy to type sudo for everything)

Once it's started, I usually stop Tomcat and PostgreSQL; although it really isn't necessary. 

Now, using an editor of your choice:

1) Confirm Connection Settings.

If necessary, make edits to  /etc/postgresql/9.1/main/postgresql.conf  so there is an entry for:

listen_addresses = '*'

2) Confirm Client Authentication settings

If necessary, make edits to /etc/postgresql/9.1/main/pg_hba.conf so there is an entry for:

host all all 0.0.0/0 trust

Now, if you stopped Tomcat and PostgreSQL, restart PostgreSQL, then Tomcat - in that order. Or, you can just simply bounce the PVS; PostgreSQL and Tomcat will start automatically when you do this.

Finally, add a connection in pgAdmin III.

Name = anything you want it to be. I usually use name the connection after the vm: SSA on 7.1.6

Host = IP Address of your CSSA PVS

Port = 5432 (default setting)

Maintenance DB = postgres

Username = prpc

Password = password

eddie