Connecting to Databases via SSH with MySQL Workbench

We take security seriously. Which is why we do not normally provide direct database access via the web through phpMyAdmin. We may allow phpMyAdmin access on specific VPS or dedicated servers upon request.

We encourage the use of database management systems (DBMs) such as MySQL Bench and SequelPro (both free).

Read this article which covers generating and using SSH keys on Windows.

Once we have your SSH key on our server, configure MySQL Workbench to connect. First, open MySQL Workbench and click the + icon next to MySQL Connections.

mysqlb1

You will see a screen similar to this appear:

mysqlb-setup

For Connection Method, select Standard TCP/IP over SSH

Set the name to whatever you want, preferably an easily recognizable label.

Under the Parameters Tab, enter the following information:

SSH Hostname: Your server IP address or URL
SSH Username: {your SSH username}
SSH Password: leave blank/click “Clear” to be safe
SSH Keyfile: ~/.ssh/id_rsa (or if using Windows the keyfile generated by PuTTy)
MySQL Hostname:
 127.0.0.1
MySQL Port: 3306
Username: (We will provide this – your database username)
Password: (We will provide this – your database password)

Click the Advanced tab and make sure Use the old authentication protocol is checked.

mysqlb-advanced

Press Test Connection to see if it works. You should see a similar message:

success

If so, click OK and then double-click the entry to connect.