Connecting to a mysql db on a different server

mark_79_smith

Hi,

Here's my issue.

I have started a new site on a brand new server. The old site still remains on the old server and is active.

The problem is that they both have identical databases and it's impossible to update them both so I thought it would be easier to connect to the new database on the old site.

I have tried mysql_connect("<NEWSITE>", $user, $pass); but it errors saying Access Denied for $user@oldsite.com

For some reason it's not even trying to access the new site.

Any ideas?

subwayman

Generally, access direct to services on one server from another is not allowed. Otherwise hackers reaaly would rule the world. This setup is probably governed by your host's policies. Ask then if there is a secure way you can do this? They may not be willing to help as it opens up a whole minefield of potential problems. Why not move both sites to the same server?

mark_79_smith

Ahh, I see. I didn't think of it like that.
I didn't really want to move over the site as I've paid the hosting in full, but it looks like that's my only option 🙁

subwayman

You might be able to do it but you'll need the help of your host. They may be able to set up a port which you can connect through but it will probably have to be tied to a single IP so your new site will need it's own dedicated IP - again might be tricky if you are on a shared server.

Fernashes

Sometimes what will also work is using an IP address in your connect part instead of localhost - however, everyone else who has been saying that hosts won't always accept it definitely have a point. 🙂

ali_p

Hi, I have a similar problem, in that i would like to be able to connect to one database from about 3 other servers, but i guess this is out of the question.

What then could anyone suggest for a multi-lingual site with domains like .es, .co.uk and .fr and the possibilty of using the same data? They have to be hosted on 'local' servers for search engine optimisation purposes

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated

thorpe

if you have phpmyadmin installed on the server with the mysql database you want to connect too (you could aslo do this without phpmyadmin, its just a bit easier with it), just go into the privillages section and add a new user, there is also a section there somewhere where you can set what domain this user can connect from. fill that in with your new domain and you should be set.

drew010

the query

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON database_name.* TO 'username'@'hostname_or_ip' IDENTIFIED BY 'the_password' WITH GRANT OPTION;

will add a user called username and the hostname_or_ip should be replaced with the ip address or host of the remote server allowed to access the database. they will log in with password "the_password" and will have full access to all tables on the database called database_name.

additional info available at
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/4.1/en/grant.html

Nugen

i've done this often based off Hostname or across a Pnet. generally if the box is secured you will need the admin to set firewall / port privileges to allow external communication on that port for the needed protocols.