secure PHP MySQL server connections

[badboy]

Am trying to figure out the optimal secure configuration and performance for PHP MySQL server connections.

Is it more secure to have the PHP applications running on one hardened server and the MySQl on another hardened server ? rather than running all within the same box.

If I run two seperate boxes, what would be the best way to connect to the SQL
server ?

Appreciate all input on this subject.

Thanks !

[gardnc]

badboy.

The criteria to determine if you need two servers is the load that the services will place on the server. It is going to be arguably more secure to operate the mysql server on the same server as the web server unless other web services would decrease the mysql availability or the mysql would decrease availability of web services. Unless you contemplate hundreds of simultaneous requests to the server, you may find a single server best. And if you are wrong of later the growth dictates, you can easily split to a second server.