Connect to SQL database

tommy_fila · Guru Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 450 Location: Phoenix, AZ

I'm getting the following error when I try to set the password for my SQL database:

msalerno · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject:

What address does laptop resolve to?
If it resolves to any address other than 127.0.0.1 then there is the problem.

By default mysql listens on the lo 127.0.0.1 adapter. So if laptop resolves to 192.168.3.15, then your command:

/usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h laptop password 'pass'

might was well be

/usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h 192.168.3.15 password 'pass'

And would cause an error since Mysql isn't listening on that IP.

tomvollerthun · Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 316

If you include -h laptop you basically tell mysql that you try to access it from the host laptop (which you are not allowed to). If you don't have it in your commandline, mysql (correctly) assumes that you connect from localhost (which you are allowed to).
Mysql has excellent information on their websites. Search it for user setup and user permissions and you'll find plenty of information on how to solve this properly.
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tommy_fila · Guru Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 450 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I understand what you're saying, but now I have another question. Why would you ever want a different host than "localhost". In other words, why would you ever want to include the "-h" flag in the command?

Like I said in the post above, I'm trying to set up SQL so I can use it with my webserver. I have remoted acces (ssh) to the server. In order for me to use SQL, do I even need to set the "-h" flag, or is it enough if I only allow "localhost" to connect?

Thanks again for helping.
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msalerno · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject:

tommy_fila · Guru Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 450 Location: Phoenix, AZ

One last question. I'm configuring SQL to work with my phpBB board. Is it dangerous to run SQL as root, and how do I find out the name of my database? Is there a default name? I just created the database following the installation instructions...
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tommy_fila · Guru Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 450 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Ok, I just read that the SQL root user has nothing to do with the systemwide root user. So I guess there is no problem with that. However, I still can't figure out the name of my database!

Any help?
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msalerno · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:56 pm Post subject:

To view a list of all databases:
# mysql -u root -p
mysql> show databases;

tommy_fila · Guru Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 450 Location: Phoenix, AZ

I figured it out. Thank you!
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