1.2. Direct Database Connection Settings

fmPreferences - fmDirectConnection

Store Manager requires direct MySQL database connection. The majority of hosting companies allow direct connections to MySQL database. However, very often you have to go to your control panel and add your home/office computer IP address or domain name to Access List . Access list is the list of IP addresses, which allows to access MySQL port 3306 from outside. This option can be found under MySQL settings.

Feel free to ask your hosting support to assist you in enabling direct MySQL access. Since it is a common task you are supposed to get help without any problems.

To configure direct connection to your remote database, follow a few steps:

1. Open Settings -> Preferences -> Database connection

Preferences section

2. Enable Direct connection to remote database check-box

3. Specify the following Remote Database Connection Settings:

  • Host (Server address) - Usually it is your website name like "mywebsite.com" (do not include http://www. prefix); you may use IP address as well. Please check your store server parameters (see configure.php or config.php/ Most likely you will find it at your store /includes directory). At the bottom you can find your database server name (host).

define('DB_SERVER', 'localhost');

If database server name (host) is defined here (like 'http://www.servername.com'), you should use this one (servername.com).

If it is defined as 'localhost', it means you should use your server name. Your server name is defined in configure.php or config.php at the top:

    • define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://www.mywebsite.com');
  • Port - 3306 is used most frequently (please ask your hosting provider to check if the one is used).
  • MySQL Version - Most of hosting companies have 4.1 or 4.0 or 5.x version. You can use Auto if you're not sure which version is used.
  • User name (login), Password and Database (name) - Specify your username, password and database name. You can find them at the bottom of configure.php or config.php file:

define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', 'login'); //here your User Name (login) is defined

define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', '123456'); //here your password is defined

define('DB_DATABASE', 'remote_database_name'); //here your database name is defined

Also you may type database name manually or use browse button to see the list of available databases and select the one you need from the drop-down.

Tip: Use the Test Connection button to verify if all settings are correct and whether the connection to your remote database is possible.

4. Click Ok to save this entry, close Preferences and connect to your database, or click cancel to discard this entry.

Also you can use Database Connection Wizard to setup your connection or make Database Backup/Restore by selecting the corresponding actions:

If you're unable to connect to remote database, here are few key items to check.

If you got "SQL ERROR: Access denied for user 'login'@'194.187.228.147' (using Password: YES)" notification (where 'admin' is your username and '194.187.228.147' is your IP) you have to add your IP address to the Access List and allow direct MySQL connections. Please see an article to find out how to add your IP to the Access List.