MySQL Workbench provides an easy-to-use visual interface for managing your SQL servers and databases using remote connections — a very convenient feature.
MySQL Workbench & Nexcess Web Hosting Database Management
Is MySQL Workbench Free?
Yes, the MySQL Workbench Community Edition is free and available for multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
There are other commercial editions that users may buy with additional features:
- MySQL Workbench Community Edition — Open Source (GPL License)
- MySQL Workbench Standard Edition — Commercial
- MySQL Workbench Enterprise Edition — Commercial
Refer to the following URLs for more information:
- https://dev.mysql.com/doc/workbench/en/
- https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/features.html
Is MySQL Free?
Yes, the MySQL Community Edition is free and available for multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
There are other commercial editions that users may buy with additional features:
- MySQL Community Edition — Open Source (GPL License)
- MySQL Standard Edition — Commercial
- MySQL Enterprise Edition — Commercial
- MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition — Commercial
Refer to the following URLs for more information:
- https://www.mysql.com/products/community/
- https://www.mysql.com/products/
How to Use MySQL Workbench to Connect to a Database
This article provides you with an overview of MySQL Workbench and how to use MySQL Workbench to connect to your database remotely.
In cases where you don't want to give the developer too much access to the Nexcess Client Portal, you can install a remote MySQL client like MySQL Workbench to connect to the database remotely.
Note that by default, the Nexcess Client Portal gives you access to your databases using phpMyAdmin.
Prerequisites
The following items are the prerequisites needed:
You will want MySQL Workbench installed on your local machine. Next, visit the MySQL Workbench Downloads page to download the installer for your operating system. It's available for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, RedHat Linux, and Fedora.
You will need the Public IP address of the MySQL Server, which is also the Hosting IP of the website.
You will need the database username and password for the MySQL account that you wish to connect.
You should safelist (also called "whitelisting") your local machine's IP address against the MySQL Port.
What Is MySQL Workbench?
The MySQL Workbench provides a graphical user interface for working with SQL servers and databases. You can use it to create entity relation diagrams, manage servers, and run SQL queries.
In addition to being developed and maintained by Oracle, MySQL Workbench is cross-platform, meaning it operates on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
MySQL Workbench has the following functionalities as described in the following sections:
- SQL Development
- Data Modeling (Design)
- Server Administration
- Data Migration
- Visual Performance Dashboard
SQL Development
This feature allows you to connect to a database, run and edit SQL queries and SQL scripts using a built-in SQL editor, and manage connections and data objects.
Data Modeling (Design)
Data modeling lets you visually construct models of your database schema, reverse and forward engineer between a schema and a live database, and use a comprehensive Table Editor to edit all aspects of your database.
The Table Editor lets you easily edit Tables, Columns, Indexes, Triggers, Partitions, Options, Inserts and Privileges, Routines, and Views.
Server Administration
MySQL Workbench provides a visual interface to administer MySQL environments and better understand databases easily. You can administer users, perform backup and recovery, view database health, configure servers, and inspect audit data.
Data Migration
You can migrate tables, data, and objects from Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Sybase ASE, PostgreSQL, and other RDBMS.
Visual Performance Dashboard
MySQL Workbench provides a set of tools for improving the performance of MySQL applications. For example, the Performance Dashboard provides quick access to different performance metrics, while Performance Reports display performance hotspots and high-cost SQL statements.
Using MySQL Workbench to Connect to a Database Remotely
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use MySQL Workbench:
Install MySQL Workbench. If you do not have it, you can download it from https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/. Select the version that fits your operating system.
Generally, MySQL Workbench is available in three editions:
Community Edition (Open Source, GPL)
Standard Edition (Commercial)
Enterprise Edition (Commercial)
You can visit the MySQL official page to know more about these various MySQL editions.
Get Database Credentials Information. To connect to the MySQL Workbench, you will need the Hostname/IP and the Database Username connected to the MySQL database and its password. You can find database credentials in your Nexcess Client Portal under the MySQL section of your plan.
Safelisting/Whitelisting Your IP Address. You will need to safelist your local machine IP on the Nexcess Firewall against the MySQL Port. Visit these links to learn how to do it on Shared Servers or Cloud Servers.
If you are on a WordPress/WooCommerce plan, don't hesitate to contact the Nexcess Support Team to safelist your IP for remote MySQL connections. Also, if you have a dynamic IP, you will need to safelist your IP address each time it changes.
Open MySQL Workbench. To start a new connection to a database, click on the + button.
New Connection Setup. A new window named Setup New Connection will appear. Then, you can fill in the necessary account information.
Connection Name – It can be something similar to "database_for_example.com" or something more descriptive to help you identify the connection you're making later.
Connection Method – Leave it as the default — Standard (TCP/IP).
Hostname – Enter your website's Hosting IP address here.
Port – Leave it as the default — 3306.
Username – Database Username.
Password – Click on Store in Keychain and add your database user's password.
Default Schema – Can be left blank.
Testing Your Connection. Verify your settings by choosing Test Connection.
Create Connection. Choose OK to create the connection.
Once you’ve successfully connected to the database, you can view and edit the MySQL Database Instance details under the Administration area to the left of the navigation bar: Database Configuration, Database Status, Server Status, Performance Dashboard, and Current Connections.
It also allows you to view users and their permissions. In addition to backing up and restoring databases, MySQL Workbench supports importing and exporting MySQL dump files.
Let’s also have a look at the Performance Dashboard.
The Schemas area on the left navigation bar is where you can find the databases listed. With a dropdown arrow next to each database, you can expand your database tables and objects.
From this area of MySQL Workbench, you can view table data, run complex queries, and edit data.
Final Thoughts: MySQL Workbench & Nexcess Web Hosting Database Management
We hope this article was helpful. Now you should be able to connect your database using MySQL Workbench easily without any hassle. Kindly remember that you can always reach out to our support team by email or via Client Portal for 24/7/365 assistance.
With MySQL Remote Access Enabled, What are My Next Steps?
Remotely accessing MySQL requires a third-party MySQL client application. Some of these applications are free, while others require purchasing. Instructions on using the third-party MySQL client application should be provided by the company's website where you downloaded it.
Here are a few of the industry-leading MySQL client applications:
MySQL with Remote Connections: Keep It Secure
Despite being able to open MySQL to remote connections and to prevent possible security breaches, you should grant privileges to selected users only. Additionally, ensure the users are using very strong passwords. Keeping the MySQL server software up-to-date should help too.
MySQL with Remote Connections: Connection Tips
Common connection tips are:
-
Keep in mind that SSL is required if you're trying to connect to a cluster environment, like AWS.
-
If the connection keeps failing, have the Nexcess Support Team check whether your IP address has been allowed and ensure your credentials are correct.
- Alternatively, you can use a SSH Gateway to securely and efficiently run MySQL commands on your website if you still experience connection issues.
MySQL with Remote Connections: Frequently Asked Questions
Some common questions that frequently come up include the following.
Common Question #1
Question #1: Remote access to the MySQL database server is disabled by default. Why is this?
Answer: The remote access to the MySQL database server is disabled due to security reasons.
Common Question #2
Question #2: Can I test my MySQL database remotely and verify database access?
Answer: Yes, you can test the remote MySQL connection using MySQL client applications like MySQL Workbench. Otherwise, you can run the following command from a remote machine with a MySQL client:
Common Question #3
Question #3: If my IP constantly changes, what should I do?
Answer: If you have a dynamic IP address, the connecting IP address will keep changing periodically, depending on the Internet Service Provider (ISP). To use the Remote MySQL Functionality, you must update the IP address each time it changes.
There are a few solutions you can try if you are having trouble getting through the firewall with a dynamic IP address:
You can contact Nexcess Support to get your IP address range added to the MySQL Whitelist IP table.
Otherwise, Get static IP addressing instead for your client computers, and then add the IP addresses as firewall rules.
Common Question #4
Question #4: When connecting to MySQL, I get a Connection Refused error?
Answer: Our servers block Port 3306 with regard to inbound traffic. Contact us via live chat or a phone call to request that Port 3306 be opened for your IP address to connect remotely.
That's it! We hope this article was helpful. If you need any help, please search for the answer to your question in the within the Nexcess Knowledge Base.
Useful Resources for MySQL Database Management
- What is phpMyAdmin?
- Accessing Your Database in Managed WordPress or WooCommerce Portal
-
MySQL User Permissions for a Magento/Flex Cloud Plan
- How to truncate MySQL tables in Nexcess Cloud
- How to manage MySQL databases in Nexcess Cloud
- How to create MySQL databases with SiteWorx
- How to create MySQL database user accounts in SiteWorx
- How to delete a MySQL database with SiteWorx
- How to truncate MySQL tables from the CLI
- How to show running MySQL queries in Nexcess Cloud
- How to show running MySQL queries from the CLI
-
How to change the password for MySQL database users in Nexcess Cloud
- Logging Database Queries in Magento | Nexcess
- How to change the password for a MySQL database user
- Nexcess: MySQL & IP Whitelisting for Remote Access
Consider Hosting with Nexcess
Hosting optimized for the industry's leading platforms, including Managed WordPress Hosting, Managed WooCommerce Hosting, and Managed Magento Hosting:
Build Better Sites and Stores With Fully Managed Hosting from NexcessFaster Speeds, Stronger Security, Inherent Scalability and Trusted Support.
Our range of hosting plans caters to any business scale. We do all the heavy lifting for you to focus on growing your business. In addition, we automatically update ore components and plugins to the latest version and ensure your hosting environment is properly optimized, secured, and updated.
Nexcess infrastructure was specially designed to keep up the best speed and performance in the industry. No traffic surge can threaten your website to go down thanks to our autoscaling technology which adds more resources to your server to handle the load. In addition, we offer always-on security monitoring and support from web hosting experts 24/7/365 and a built-in CDN with 22 locations and advanced caching for ultra-fast loading.
All hosting plans include The Nexcess 30-Day Web Hosting Money Back Guarantee.
Why Choose Nexcess?
Because we're different! Chris Lema captures "the why" in his passionate and stirring recount of a Nexcess support-related story.
Useful YouTube > Nexcess Channel Links
- Nexcess on YouTube - Home
- Nexcess on YouTube - Welcome to Your Nexcess Portal
- Nexcess on YouTube - Featured Videos
- Nexcess on YouTube - All Videos
- Nexcess on YouTube - All Playlists
Resources for More Information
Need more help? The Applications, Magento 2 and Magento 1 sections within the Nexcess Knowledge Base are important resources for those seeking additional knowledge.
The Applications section also contains valuable insights for those seeking additional knowledge about our other various hosted applications and platforms. Check out our related video playlists and articles below:
- Managed WordPress by Nexcess - Video Playlist
- Managed WooCommerce by Nexcess - Video Playlist
- Managed Magento by Nexcess - Video Playlist
Need a No-Code Website Building Solution?
Are you on an accelerated schedule and already ready to move forward? If you need to get started with your Nexcess StoreBuilder Solution sooner rather than later, check out these resources:
Next Steps with a Nexcess Cloud Hosting Solution?
Read more about the Fully Managed Cloud Environment by Nexcess and its benefits for your business.
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We believe in the promise of cloud: scalability, security, performance, and ease of use. Together with our team, clients, and partners, we’ve built something better.
Choose From Multiple Applications
Whether you’re a small business or a high-traffic eCommerce store, our cloud hosting solutions are designed around your needs: auto scaling, PCI compliance, and comprehensive development tools provide you with maximum dynamic flexibility in a fully managed cloud environment.
We make applications easy with environment optimizations for:
And there are many more!
We also have a variety of Nexcess support articles about how best to implement our product offerings housed in the Nexcess Knowledge Base, including how to get your site going with a number of different configuration options. These resources include a great article on setting this up for Migrating to Nexcess with managed WordPress and managed WooCommerce hosting.
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If you need any assistance with the above-mentioned, don't hesitate to reach out. For 24-hour assistance any day of the year, Nexcess customers can contact our support team by email or through your Client Portal.
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