Connect Database

This guide shows you how to connect to your MariaDB/MySQL database – from the command line, with phpMyAdmin or from your applications. MariaDB and MySQL are the most commonly used database systems for websites, forums, shops and game servers.

Note: Detailed subpages on database management and optimization can be found in the left navigation.

Connection details – what you need

For every connection you need these five parameters:

Parameter	Description	Typical Value
Host	Server address of the database	localhost or 127.0.0.1
Port	Database port	3306 (default)
Username	Your database user	e.g. root or a custom user
Password	User's password	Your assigned password
Database Name	Name of the database	e.g. wordpress, fivem

Method 1: Via Command Line (SSH)

Connect directly on your server – the fastest method:

# Connect to database
mysql -u username -p

# Enter password (doesn't appear on screen)
# After successful login, the mysql> prompt appears

# Select database
USE databasename;

# Show tables
SHOW TABLES;

# End connection
exit;

Connect with host and port

# External database
mysql -h 192.168.1.100 -P 3306 -u username -p databasename

• -h: Host (IP or domain)
• -P: Port (capital P, default 3306)
• -u: Username
• -p: Password prompt

Method 2: Via phpMyAdmin (Web Interface)

phpMyAdmin is the most popular web interface for MySQL/MariaDB. Here's how to find it:

• Webspace with Plesk: In Plesk under Databases → phpMyAdmin
• Own server: Usually at https://your-domain.com/phpmyadmin or http://your-ip/phpmyadmin

Log in with your database username and password. You'll immediately see all your databases in the left sidebar.

Method 3: From an Application

PHP (e.g. WordPress, custom website)

<?php
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "my_user";
$password = "my_password";
$dbname = "my_database";

// Create connection
$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);

// Check connection
if ($conn->connect_error) {
    die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error);
}
echo "Connection successful";
?>

Node.js (e.g. FiveM, n8n, custom API)

const mysql = require('mysql2');

const connection = mysql.createConnection({
    host: 'localhost',
    user: 'my_user',
    password: 'my_password',
    database: 'my_database'
});

connection.connect((err) => {
    if (err) {
        console.error('Connection failed: ', err);
        return;
    }
    console.log('Connection successful');
});

Python

import mysql.connector

connection = mysql.connector.connect(
    host="localhost",
    user="my_user",
    password="my_password",
    database="my_database"
)

if connection.is_connected():
    print("Connection successful")

Method 4: Via Graphical Client (HeidiSQL, DBeaver)

For Windows users, graphical clients are more convenient than the command line:

• HeidiSQL: Free, Windows only, very simple
• DBeaver: Free, Windows/Mac/Linux, supports many database types
• TablePlus: Modern, Mac/Windows, paid with free version

In all clients, enter host, port, username, password and click "Connect".

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

"Access denied for user":

• Username or password incorrect? Check spelling
• Does the user have permissions for this database? Check with root:

  SELECT user, host FROM mysql.user;
  SHOW GRANTS FOR 'username'@'localhost';

"Can't connect to MySQL server on 'localhost'":

• Is the database running?

  sudo systemctl status mariadb   # MariaDB
  sudo systemctl status mysql      # MySQL

• If not: sudo systemctl start mariadb

External connections not possible:

• By default, MySQL only allows connections from localhost
• Check the bind address in the MySQL configuration:

  sudo nano /etc/mysql/mariadb.conf.d/50-server.cnf
  # Look for: bind-address = 127.0.0.1
  # For external connections change to: bind-address = 0.0.0.0

• Check firewall: Port 3306 must be open

Create Database User (Plesk)

1. Log in to Plesk
2. Go to Databases
3. Click Add Database
4. Set a database name and a username
5. Set a secure password
6. Select Access from any host if external connections should be allowed
7. Click OK

Create Database User (Command Line)

# Log in as root
sudo mysql

# Create user
CREATE USER 'new_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'secure_password';

# Create database
CREATE DATABASE new_database;

# Grant all privileges for this database
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON new_database.* TO 'new_user'@'localhost';

# Apply changes
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit;

Detailed guides on database optimization and security can be found in the articles in the left navigation.