Setup Remote MySQL Server

This feature allows you to place your MySQL databases on a remote cPanel & WHM server running MySQL. Using a separate server for MySQL can be useful for busy servers or servers with large databases, allowing you to offload MySQL-related work to the remote MySQL server.

This feature does not automatically transfer your MySQL data; it simply configures the remote server to work with your MySQL setup. After you configure the remote server, you will need to manually transfer your MySQL data. In the future, any databases you create will reside on the remote MySQL server.

Remember: This should not be confused with allowing access to a MySQL database from a remote server. To configure that option, use the Additional MySQL Access Hosts function.

Important: At this time, we cannot support remote MySQL setup on servers running Debian or other non-cPanel-compatible operating systems, as the WHM remote MySQL setup wizard will not work with them. If the remote MySQL server is not running cPanel, a manual setup will be necessary. For information about setting up MySQL manually, please view our training resources from the 2008 cPanel Conference.

Checking that the local server's hostname resolves

Before setting up a remote MySQL server, you should ensure that the remote server is able to resolve your local server's IP address to its hostname. You can confirm this by logging into the remote server using SSH and using the host command.

Example:

root@server [~]# host 208.77.188.166

166.188.77.208.in-addr.arpa domain name pointer www.example.com.

Note: This command should resolve the hostname from the IP address.

If you do not have reverse DNS set up, you will need to edit /etc/hosts on the remote MySQL server and add an entry for your local server, entering the IP and hostname. This will perform the hostname lookup manually, rather than querying the DNS.

Example: 208.77.188.166 host.example.com

Setting up the remote MySQL host

To set up a remote MySQL host:

1. Review the information on the screen, and enter data where appropriate:

• Remote server address — Specifies the IP address or fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the remote server. You must specify FQDNs in lowercase letters.
• Remote SSH port — Specifies the SSH port for the remote server. The default is 22.
  • SSH (Secure Shell) is the protocol that allows you to securely connect to the remote server so that you can manage your databases.
• Login as — Specifies the login name. (You can only use the root account with this feature.)
• Select authentication method — Specifies whether to use an SSH key or password to log into the remote server.
• Select an installed SSH Key — Specifies an SSH key for logging into the account. This option will only appear when Public Key is selected from Select authentication method. Secure servers will often require an SSH key, as keys are generally more secure than passwords. Specify the key using the pull-down menu.
• SSH Key Password — Specifies a password for the key, if required. This option will only appear when Public Key is selected from Select authentication method.
• Root Password — Specifies the password for logging in as the root user.

2. Finish the process by clicking Setup.

Important: At this time, we cannot support remote MySQL setup on servers running Debian or other non-cPanel-compatible operating systems, as the WHM remote MySQL setup wizard will not work with them. If the remote MySQL server is not running cPanel, a manual setup will be necessary. For information about setting up MySQL manually, please view our training resources from the 2008 cPanel Conference.