Chapter 12 · 12.6
Connecting to your database from outside (Access Hosts)
Normally, only your own website talks to the database. It's on the same server and connects via localhost. Do you want to access the database from your own computer or from another server, for example with a program like HeidiSQL, DBeaver, MySQL Workbench or a link with your accounting software? Then you first need to allow the IP address you're connecting from.
Giving an IP address access
- Look up your own IP address, for example by searching for "what is my ip" in Google. If you're connecting from a server, use that server's IP address.
- In DirectAdmin, go to Databases and click MANAGE USERS.
- Click Manage next to the database user. Preferably use a separate user for connections from outside, not the user of your website.
- Scroll to the Allowed Hosts block. Under Allow access from, type your IP address. This can be an IPv4 or IPv6 address.
- Click Add Host (2). The address then appears in the list (1).
You can add up to 30 hosts per user. localhost is there by default: that's your own website. Don't remove it.
In the list under MANAGE USERS, the Allowed Hosts column shows which addresses are allowed for a user. The % character means: from any IP address. It's best not to use this, as it allows anyone on the internet to try to guess the password.
The details for your program
| Setting | What do you enter? |
|---|---|
| Host / server | The server name of your package, for example linux2023.webawere.nl (see Finding your server name and DA user name). So not localhost. |
| Port | 3306 |
| User | The full name of the database user, such as wtsilefl_extern |
| Password | The password of that database user |
| Database | The full database name, such as wtsilefl_shop |
Unable to connect
- "Host is not allowed to connect": the IP address isn't in the allowed hosts. Note: your IP address at home may change from time to time. Look it up again and update it.
- "Access denied": the username or password is incorrect. Use the full name with your DA username and the hyphen in front of it.
- Timeout: port 3306 only opens for IP addresses you've added under Access Hosts. So first check whether your current IP address is listed there (your IP address can change, for example at home after restarting your modem). If it is listed, port 3306 might be blocked somewhere along the way, for example by a company firewall. Try it from a different connection. After many failed attempts, your IP address might also be blocked (see Solving login problems).
Tip: Do you have SSH (Power Webhost Three and Four, AI Wordpress Three and Power Reseller)? Then in programs like HeidiSQL and DBeaver, you can also connect via an SSH tunnel (port 1967, with your SSH key). That way, you don't need to add an IP address and everything is encrypted (see SSH Keys and logging in with SSH).
Remove an IP address again once you no longer need it.