Question

I just set up a new LAMP server. I can connect to mysql through the terminal. My goal is to use MySQL workbench to connect via Standard TCP/IP, however I can only connect via Standard TCP/IP over SSH

Here’s the error message I get from mysql workbench when I try to connect via Standard (TCP/IP):

Failed to Connect to MySQL at 12.34.56.78:3306 with user root

Can’t connect to MySQL server on ‘12.34.56.78’ (10061)

Other info

• Linux version 2.6.32-37-generic-pae (buildd@vernadsky) (gcc version
  4.4.3 (Ubuntu 4.4.3-4ubuntu5) ) #81-Ubuntu SMP Fri Dec 2 22:24:22 UTC 2011
• mysql Ver 14.14 Distrib 5.1.41, for debian-linux-gnu (i486) using
  readline 6.1
• OpenSSH_5.3p1 Debian-3ubuntu7, OpenSSL 0.9.8k 25 Mar 2009
• I ssh into the server from putty on a windows 7 computer.

Any clues on how to connect via mysql workbench (I’ve opened the right ports on the firewall)?

Answer 1

IMHO you should try to isolate the problem. It would be great to be able to tell if you can connect to your remote MySQL server from the mysql client in the command line. So open a terminal in the same machine you use to run Workbench and type:

mysql -u root -p -h your.ip.add.ress

According to my experience it is most likely that you have a configuration problem in your server. The above command will let you know if something is wrong server side. If that’s the case, lots of connection problems are related with anonymous account messing up with your authentication. If you have anonymous accounts set, you’ll be better off without them.

For additional info on setting up initial accounts in MySQL Server, please read the section of the MySQL manual entitled Securing the Initial MySQL Accounts.