How to Connect to the MySQL Database Remotely
Allowing remote MySQL connections is often done to enable a program on your personal computer to access a database on the server.
For some suggested programs and more details, please see:
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Configuration Settings
Use the following configuration settings for connecting to your database:
Host name = Use the server IP address or server name
Database name = Use the first 8 characters of your cpanelUsername_databaseName
Example:
cPanel username: snappygator
Database name: exampledatabase
Output:
snappyga_exampledatabase
Database username = Use the first 8 characters of your cpanelUsername__databaseUsername
Example:
cPanel username: snappygator
Database username: exampledbuser
Output:
snappyga_exampledbuser
Database password = The password you entered for that database user
MySQL Connection Port = 3306
TCP or UDP, either is fine.
To learn more about adding a connection string to your Perl or PHP code using these configuration settings, please see the following article:
Enable Your Computer as an Access Host
By default, all IPs are blocked and must be added to an access list in order to access the server. So, before connecting to MySQL from another computer, the connecting computer must be enabled as an Access Host.
To know what your current local IP address is, please visit hostgator.com/ip.
Dynamic IP Addresses
Having a dynamic IP address means that the connecting IP address can change periodically, depending on the Internet Service Provider (ISP). You must update the connecting IP in Remote MySQL every time it changes.
Linux
How to Add an Access Host
To enable your computer as an Access Host:
- Log into cPanel.
- Under the Databases section, click Remote MySQL®.
- Enter the connecting IP address then click Add / Add Host.
How to Remove an Access Host
To remove a host from accessing databases on your server:
- Click the Remote MySQL® icon under the cPanel’s Databases section.
- Locate the IP address you wish to remove.
- Click the Delete icon on the right-hand side of the selected IP address.
Plesk
If you have Windows hosting, you will need to whitelist your IP. Please follow the instructions in the following articles:
Accessing Your Databases
After whitelisting your local IP, you should be able to make the proper remote MySQL connection. Be sure that the username you use matches the username created in the My SQL database section of cPanel. The most common problem in connecting is due to the use of an incorrect username and password.
For more examples of common MySQL errors, please see the related article:
Related Topics:
What is a MySQL database server?
MySQL is an open-source management system used to create and manage databases. Basically, a MySQL server is like a database engine where you can store data and allows you to access and maintain those data in a systematic and efficient way.
How Can You Let Someone Access the MySQL Database?
Aside from the configuration settings needed to connect to a MySQL database, a user is also required to have certain privileges. Please refer to these articles to know more about how to grant privileges to users and to configure connection settings.
How Can You Allow Remote Access to a MySQL Server?
The MySQL server communicates only from the “localhost” by default, which means it can only be accessed by applications running on the same host. Remote access is necessary if you wish to access the database from an application running on a different machine or host.
To connect remotely, you will need to get your connecting computer-enabled as an Access Host by whitelisting your local IP address. You will also need to identify your configuration settings as shown above.
How Do You Find the MySQL Hostname?
The MySQL Hostname is the location of your MySQL server and database. This information is needed whenever you need to connect to your MySQL server. Localhost is used by default as the hostname provided that you are accessing your database on the same server where your application is, like WordPress. For a WordPress site, your hostname is found in your directory root’s wp-config.php file.
To access the database remotely, you may want to use your server IP address or server name instead of “localhost” to initiate a connection.
How Do You Restore a MySQL Database?
The cPanel has a feature that allows you to restore a MySQL Database backup. The instructions on how to restore a MySQL backup is outlined in this article, Download and Restore MySQL Database Backup
Alternatively, you also have the option to do a restoration through your cPanel’s phpMyAdmin by importing your backed up MySQL database file. Please refer to the article below for instructions. A video guide is also included in the article to assist you with the whole process.